Senior Director, Procurement Policy

Aerospace Industries Association; Arlington (VA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

AIA seeks a Senior Director, Procurement Policy to lead defense procurement policy for the National Security Policy division. You will represent AIA to members, the Pentagon, Congress, and industry partners, and help shape positions on DFARS, contract management, and pricing policy.

Qualifications include 12+ years in defense procurement, exceptional writing and speaking skills, and the ability to build consensus among diverse stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Deep experience in defense contracting policies and practices.
• 12+ years in the DoD, Congress, defense suppliers, or a trade association.
• Excellent writing, research, and speaking abilities; detail-oriented.

Responsibilities

• Represent AIA on policy issues to members, government, and Congress.
• Monitor, analyze, and advocate for defense procurement policies.
• Prepare Congressional testimony and provide policy input to committees.
• Lead acquisition-focused councils and working groups.
• Coordinate with staff and member companies to build consensus.

Skills

Defense procurement policy

Policy analysis

Stakeholder engagement

Technical writing

Public speaking

Education

Juris Doctor (JD) or advanced degree in contracting/national security

Specialized acquisition credentials

Job description

The Senior Director, Procurement Policy supports the Vice President for National Security Policy on all matters relating to Department of War procurement policy, including but not limited to, the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement, contract management, commercial item procurement, and pricing policy matters. The incumbent represents AIA on these and related issues to AIA membership, outside organizations, the Pentagon, other executive branch agencies, and Congressional committees and member offices.

Building on their experience, judgment, and network, the incumbent works with and seeks input from AIA member companies, councils, and committees, and is responsible for monitoring, analyzing, proposing, and advocating for legislation, regulation, and policies concerning defense procurement; monitoring development and implementation of such rules; and other related areas.

Key Responsibilities:

The Senior Director, Procurement Policy serves as AIA’s primary defense contracting policy resource. The incumbent responds to inquiries from member companies, government officials, the public, and the press. These inquiries may range from general questions to highly technical requests requiring significant effort to assemble data and related background information. The incumbent also may prepare Congressional testimony on association positions for AIA leaders.

The Senior Director, Procurement Policy maintains regular contact with government officials and representatives of the Department of War, the Office of Management and Budget, other Executive Branch agencies, and other offices. The incumbent may accompany the Vice President for National Security Policy and other senior AIA leaders to meet with senior Administration officials, members of Congress and staff, AIA member company Chief Executive Officers and other executives, and other senior individuals in and out of government.

The Senior Director, Procurement Policy may be called upon to present AIA’s views orally and in writing to government and industry officials and to the media; to represent AIA in coalitions that are formed to present a unified approach on national security policy issues of mutual interest; and to represent AIA positions as a spokesperson at conferences and seminars. The incumbent will contribute articles and news items to AIA publications, highlighting issues and developments within the NSP division’s portfolio, and prepare summaries of such issues for use during AIA or outside meetings.

The Senior Director, Procurement Policy will support the Vice President for National Security Policy by leading and coordinating the activities of AIA’s acquisition-focused councils, committees and working groups, primarily the Acquisition Policy Council, Cost Principles Committee, Contract Management Committee, Commercial Items Working Group, and others.

Key Responsibilities:

• Representing AIA to all stakeholders across the federal contracting community.


• Leading AIA input to, comments on, and communications regarding defense procurement policy matters, including executive orders, regulatory actions, policy memoranda, and other guidance affecting defense procurement.


• Analyzing industry challenges and opportunities and synthesizing concepts and ideas coming from government contacts and AIA’s council, committee and working group activities into cohesive policy positions.


• Advocating for the association’s acquisition and procurement priorities and agenda in collaboration with internal AIA staff, including representatives from Communications, Legislative Affairs, International Affairs, Space Systems, and other divisions.


• Providing regular input and advisory support to the Washington Procurement Committee and informing AIA legislative goals and activities as it relates to defense acquisition and procurement matters.


• Building industry consensus among member companies on relevant and timely defense procurement topics and issues and serving as staff liaison to relevant internal and external groups.

Industry Activities 20%

• Overseeing arrangements and content for periodic council and committee meetings (including developing the agenda, assembling background information and materials, arranging for speakers and other participants, and ensuring that minutes are prepared), and managing expenses associated with all council and committee meetings.


• Assisting with the planning and execution of major association events, including Executive Committee and Washington Representatives meetings and semi-annual Board of Governors meetings.


• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Experience:

Experience Required

• The Senior Director, Procurement Policy must be a known and respected practitioner in the defense acquisition community, with focused experience in defense contracting policies and practices.


• The successful candidate will have a deep understanding of the U.S and international defense ecosystem, with a minimum of 12 years of experience in the Department of War, the U.S. Congress, a defense supplier, and/or a relevant trade association.


• The combination of both industry and Department of War experience is highly valued.


• The incumbent must have excellent writing, research, speaking ability, superior attention to detail, and be skilled at working within large groups with divergent views to build consensus.

Education:

• Specialized acquisition credentials and certifications, and/or a Juris Doctor or Master’s degree with contracting, business, or national security concentration are preferred

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Equal Opportunity Employer

AIA is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace, committed to non-discrimination regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity/expression, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.

This job description is not intended to be a complete statement of all duties, which may be assigned by the supervisor according to varying business needs.