Government and Community Relations Lead

Hanwha Defense USA, Inc.; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Hanwha Defense USA seeks a Government and Community Relations Lead in Philadelphia. You will manage local and state government relations, community engagement, and public affairs, with independence and alignment to Washington.

The role focuses on building relationships, advising HDUSA leadership, and guiding outreach, policy insights, and stakeholder strategies across city government, Harrisburg, and the broader Philadelphia region.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in political science, public policy, communications, business, or related field.
• 5–10+ years in government relations, public affairs, or community engagement.
• Strong written and verbal communication; ability to synthesize complex information.
• Proven relationships with city/state officials and community stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Serves as HDUSA's primary representative to Philadelphia city government and Commonwealth officials.
• Builds and sustains relationships with elected officials, staff, and agency leadership.
• Leads stakeholder engagement strategy for shipyard expansion and public affairs initiatives.
• Monitors local political and regulatory developments and reports findings to leadership.
• Supports communications on local/state matters in coordination with corporate teams.

Skills

Relationship building

Policy analysis

Strategic communication

Stakeholder engagement

Public affairs

Travel readiness

Written communication

Oral communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in political science

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Government and Community Relations Lead

Philadelphia, PA, US

Role: Government and Community Relations Lead
Locations:Philadelphia, PA (travel required)

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Government and Community Relations Lead – Philadelphia/Pennsylvania is Hanwha Defense USA's lead for local and state government relations, community engagement, and public affairs in Philadelphia and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The position's primary focus is advancing and protecting our interests with the City of Philadelphia, the Commonwealth, and the civic, business, labor, and neighborhood stakeholders that surround our location. The position will be filled at the Senior Manager or Director level depending on the selected candidate's experience.

This is a relationship role first. The Lead is HDUSA's eyes and ears at the city and state level: the person who knows the Philadelphia political, civic, and business landscape, has standing relationships across it, and can translate what is happening locally into clear intelligence and recommendations for HDUSA leadership. The Lead is expected to operate with significant independence given physical distance from HDUSA headquarters, while maintaining tight alignment with the federal government relations function in Washington.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Serves as HDUSA's primary representative to Philadelphia city government, including the Mayor's office, City Council, city agencies and authorities, and to relevant Commonwealth officials, legislators, and agencies in Harrisburg.
• Builds and sustains relationships with elected officials, their staff, and agency leadership.
• Leads and executes a comprehensive stakeholder engagement strategy for the shipyard and its expansion, including stakeholder mapping, targeted outreach, and plans that build public understanding and support for investment, hiring, and operations.
• Builds and maintains relationships with community leaders, neighborhood organizations, civic associations, labor, workforce and education partners, advocacy groups, the business community, and other key local stakeholders.
• Represents the company at public hearings, community meetings, civic events, and other forums where the shipyard's interests are at stake.
• Develops and drives short- and long-term community affairs initiatives, and develops strategies to build a broader profile and reputation for Hanwha in Philadelphia and Pennsylvania.
• Monitors local political, regulatory, and community developments and reports to HDUSA leadership on a regular cadence, identifying risks and opportunities to broader business goals and recommending action.
• Serves as an internal advocate for community interests, proactively building relationships across functions to ensure community engagement priorities are represented in facility, infrastructure, workforce, and expansion planning and decision-making.
• Supports integrated planning by driving alignment on communications, events, announcements, and project initiatives, ensuring community engagement is embedded in cross-functional strategy rather than bolted on afterward.
• Helps manage HDUSA's external government relations consultant(s) for Philadelphia and Pennsylvania matters, setting priorities, tracking deliverables, and ensuring consultant activity is aligned with company strategy.
• Supports communications on local and state matters, including messaging, talking points, event planning, and media engagement in coordination with corporate communications.
• Handles sensitive political, regulatory, commercial, and community information with discretion.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS / EXPERIENCE

• At least five 5-10 years of relevant experience in government relations, public affairs, community engagement, economic development, campaigns, or public-facing roles
• Deep familiarity with Philadelphia's political, civic, business, and community landscape, with established relationships across city government, Harrisburg, and local stakeholders strongly preferred
• Demonstrated experience building and managing relationships with elected officials, agency leadership, community leaders, and advocacy organizations
• Demonstrated success influencing public policy outcomes or securing governmental and community support at the local and/or state level
• Experience managing multiple projects simultaneously and coordinating across internal and external stakeholders; strong organizational and program management skills
• Experience working with highly confidential information
• Experience managing external consultants or lobbyists preferred
• Familiarity with shipbuilding, manufacturing, or the defense industrial base preferred but not required

EDUCATION

• Bachelor's degree in political science, public policy, communications, business, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience

SKILLS

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to synthesize complex or sensitive information into clear, concise briefings for senior leadership
• Ability to represent the company credibly before government officials, community audiences, and the press
• Sound political judgment, discretion, and professional integrity
• Ability to operate independently with limited day-to-day supervision while keeping headquarters informed
• Ability to operate effectively in a matrixed organization and with an international parent company
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite
• Philadelphia-based; regular travel to Harrisburg required and periodic travel to Arlington, Virginia

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear and use hands to finger, handle, and feel. The employee is required to reach with hands and arms and have adequate mobility to stand, walk, sit, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to fifty (50) pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and ability to adjust focus. Ability to travel.

Hanwha Defense USA is committed to pay transparency and equitable compensation practices. The salary range listed for this position represents a good faith estimate of the base pay we reasonably expect to offer for the position at the time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on relevant skills/experience, education and certifications, market conditions, geographic location and internal pay equity. In addition to base salary, employees may be eligible for discretionary annual bonuses, benefits, and other forms of compensation as part of Hanwha Defense USA's total rewards package.

Hanwha Defense USA is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic.