Director - Regulatory Affairs

United Airlines; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 160,000 - 208,000; Full time

Job summary

United Airlines is seeking a Director of Regulatory Affairs to shape and advocate strategic positions before federal agencies, influencing policy affecting operations and the company's reputation. The role partners with Legal, Communications, Corporate Security, and other divisions to mitigate regulatory risks and drive results.

The position is Washington, D.C.-based with 100% onsite work. A Bachelor's degree and 12+ years in regulatory/government roles are required; 5+ years with U.S.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• 12+ years of relevant experience.
• 5+ years’ experience with U.S. government agencies or comparable private-sector work.
• Understanding of U.S. regulatory and legislative processes; experience drafting government filings.
• Existing relationships with federal decision-makers; ability to develop new ones.
• Excellent verbal and written communication, presentation and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead formulation of policy and advocacy strategies before agencies to drive positive outcomes.
• Represent United before the Federal government and advance policy objectives.
• Develop external relationships with agency staff to gather information and drive results.
• Collaborate with internal teams including Legal, Communications, and Airport Ops to mitigate regulatory risks.
• Maintain partnerships with trade associations and other organizations to build coalitions.
• Assist with compliance activities, regulatory filings, information requests and investigations.

Skills

Regulatory affairs

Policy advocacy

Government relations

Stakeholder management

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

12+ years of relevant experience

5+ years’ experience with U.S. government agencies

Understanding of U.S. regulatory and legislative processes

Relationship-building with federal decision-makers

Excellent verbal and written communication

Job description

Achieving our goals starts with supporting yours. Grow your career, access top-tier health and wellness benefits, build lasting connections with your team and our customers, and travel the world using our extensive route network.

Come join us to create what’s next. Let’s define tomorrow, together.

Description

There’s never been a more exciting time to join United Airlines. We’re on a path toward becoming the best airline in the history of aviation. Our shared purpose—Connecting People, Uniting the World—is about more than getting people from one place to another. As a global company operating in hundreds of locations around the world, with millions of customers and tens of thousands of employees, we have a unique responsibility to uplift and provide opportunities in the places where we work, live and fly. We can only do that with a truly diverse and inclusive workforce. And we’re growing—in the years ahead, we’ll hire tens of thousands of people across every area of the airline. Our careers include a competitive benefits package aimed at keeping you happy, healthy and well-traveled, from employee-run Business Resource Group communities to world-class benefits like parental leave, 401(k), and privileges like space-available travel. United is truly a one-of-a-kind place to work. Are you ready to travel the world?

At United, we take bold action, and our Global Government Affairs & Environmental team is the driving force behind our efforts to make change happen. By working closely with U.S., state and local, and foreign governments and coordinating grassroots advocacy efforts, the team represents United on regulatory, public policy and legislative issues, advocating every day for our airline, our employees and the millions of customers we serve around the globe.

Job Overview and Responsibilities

The Director – Regulatory Affairs will be responsible for developing and advocating positions before executive branch regulatory bodies and leaders to influence decisions of strategic importance to United’s business operations and enhance United’s reputation as a leading company. The scope of the role includes the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and related departments and agencies covering security, customer facilitation, technology issues including biometrics, cybersecurity, customs issues and trade policy, as well as other duties as assigned.

The Director will closely monitor federal political and regulatory activities within the area of responsibility and collaborate with relevant divisions and Government Affairs leadership to formulate and refine policy positions that benefit United, our employees and our customers. The Director will also engage regularly with and build trusted relationships with decision-makers and staff at key agencies across the federal government, as well as industry and association counterparts, developing effective advocacy strategies to drive positive short- and long-term outcomes for United.

Success in this role requires extensive cross-functional partnership across the organization. The Director will regularly collaborate with business partners in Congressional Affairs, State and Local Affairs, Legal, Corporate Security, Airport Operations, the Network Operations Center, Network Planning, Customer Strategy and Innovation, and other divisions across the company to support the mitigation and resolution of regulatory risks and challenges.

• Leads and contributes to formulation of factual policy and economic arguments before agencies and effectively implements advocacy strategies to drive positive outcomes for the company.

• Clearly and effectively communicates, represents United before the Federal government, and advocates for United's policy objectives and programs that advance the Company's image and reputation.

• Actively and continuously develops and maintains external relationships of trust with agency decisionmakers and staff in order to gather advance information and drive positive results.

• Coordinates effectively with key internal stakeholders including the rest of the Governmental Affairs team, Legal, Communications, Corporate Real Estate, Corporate Safety, Airport Ops, Flight Ops and Inflight, NOC, Corporate Security, DT, Finance, and hub leadership, as well as other relevant divisions.

• Maintains external partnerships and relationships with trade associations, think tanks, other organizations to network and build coalitions to drive results.

• Assists with compliance activities, regulatory filings, information requests and government investigations as needed.

Qualifications

What’s needed to succeed (Minimum Qualifications):

• Bachelor's degree

• 12+ years of relevant experience

• 5+ years’ experience work for or directly with U.S. government agencies, or comparable experience outside of government in private sector or other organizations.

• Background/understanding of U.S. regulatory and legislative processes, experience in drafting government filings and communications. Advocacy experience.

• Existing relationships and ability to develop new relationships with decision makers, influencers, and leaders in the Federal government.

• Excellent verbal and written communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.

• Results oriented and persistent self-starter.

• Experienced in multi-tasking on multiple priorities and collaborating with leaders and subject matter experts.

• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States for any employer without sponsorship

• Successful completion of interview required to meet job qualification

• Reliable, punctual attendance is an essential function of the position

• Position is based in Washington D.C. and follows a 100% onsite work schedule

What will help you propel from the pack (Preferred Qualifications):

• Master's degree

• MBA, JD or other advanced degree

• At least 5 years’ experience working with the Department of Homeland Security, CISA, TSA, CBP, data privacy regulators and policymakers, or comparable experience.

• Applies critical thinking to validate AI-generated outputs while adhering to organizational policies for responsible AI use, data privacy, and security.

• Demonstrates an understanding of the capabilities and limitations of generative AI tools and effectively leverages them to support research, analysis, content creation, and problem-solving.

• Applies critical thinking to validate AI-generated outputs while adhering to organizational policies for responsible AI use, data privacy, and security.

The base pay range for this role is $159,790.00 to $207,998.00.

The base salary range/hourly rate listed is dependent on job-related, factors such as experience, education, and skills. This position is also eligible for bonus and/or long-term incentive compensation awards.

You may be eligible for the following competitive benefits: medical, dental, vision, life, accident & disability, parental leave, employee assistance program, commuter, paid holidays, paid time off, 401(k) and flight privileges.

United Airlines is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We recruit, employ, train, compensate, and promote without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, veteran status, or any other protected category under applicable law. We provide reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. To request an accommodation, contact [e-mail]