Director of Government Affairs
Hermeus
Operations
Washington, DC, USA
Posted on Oct 26, 2024
Hermeus is an aerospace and defense technology company founded to radically accelerate air travel by delivering hypersonic aircraft. The company aims to develop hypersonic aircraft quickly and cost-effectively by integrating hardware-rich, iterative development with modern computing and autonomy. This approach has been validated through design, build, and test of the company’s first combined turbojet-ramjet engine and is now being scaled through its first flight vehicle program, Quarterhorse. Hermeus is also developing Darkhorse — an uncrewed hypersonic aircraft designed to deliver unique asymmetric capabilities to the warfighter.
The Growth team at Hermeus seeks an energetic, experienced professional to lead our government engagement strategy. This role involves working with Congress (members, staff, and leadership), relevant committees, the Executive Branch, the State Department, industry groups, think tanks, and other key stakeholders.
The ideal candidate will have a deep understanding of U.S. federal budget processes and policymaking, and how these affect Hermeus’s technical and business development goals. Furthermore, qualified candidates will have experience partnering with lobbyists to ensure the delivery of strategic outcomes on behalf of the company.
This role is based in Washington, D.C., and is responsible for delivering a robust government engagement strategy aimed at unlocking funding and policy to support the delivery of high-Mach and hypersonic aircraft to both defense and commercial markets.
For Hermeus, leveraging hypersonic aircraft to meet government needs is a critical step toward safely and comfortably flying passengers at Mach 5. We are looking for an individual who can effectively represent our company’s vision to government stakeholders, identify and pursue opportunities to enhance our government and national security efforts, and collaborate seamlessly with our engineering, operations, and product teams as they build the world’s fastest aircraft.
Responsibilities:
- Draft and manage the company’s congressional engagement process, including white papers, PowerPoint presentations, congressional testimony, hearing preparation, and other required deliverables.
- Monitor, analyze, and engage in the annual congressional policymaking process, with an emphasis on appropriations, defense, and homeland security policy to support company priorities.
- Lead the design, implementation, and execution of government relations (GR) strategies to ensure alignment with corporate strategic and business goals.
- Draft Hermeus congressional and executive branch requests and determine when, where, and how Hermeus can drive favorable outcomes to further the company’s strategic objectives.
- Coordinate with relevant congressional committees to advance Hermeus’ bill language and funding objectives, including NDAA language, appropriations, and commercial aviation and export control policy.
- Collaborate with the C-Suite to ensure that congressional, state, and other departmental engagement plans are appropriately aligned.
- Coordinate and oversee visits by congressional members and staff to Hermeus facilities.
- Manage Hermeus’ external lobbyists in support of the aforementioned campaigns.
- Serve as an ambassador for Hermeus in appropriate formal and informal settings (podcasts, speaking engagements, conferences, tradeshows, etc.).
- Act as the primary relationship owner/manager for congressional, executive branch, state, and relevant non-defense/intelligence departments.
- Oversee the company’s Political Action Committee activities and coordinate with Hermeus’ leadership to develop an appropriate PAC strategy.
Requirements:
- Possesses extensive (8+ years) experience in defense and national security on Capitol Hill or in government relations roles, either within the Executive Branch or in a comparable position in the defense industry.
- Demonstrates an in-depth understanding of U.S. federal appropriations and policymaking processes, including the roles of executive agencies, the White House, the Senate, and the House, as well as how these processes affect the company’s business development goals.
- Willingness to register as a lobbyist if necessary (or current registration).
- Proven track record of successfully planning and executing strategies to advance government relations objectives and drive change in legislative policies and budgeting processes.
- Experienced in defense policy and budget matters, with a solid grasp of the defense and national security sector, including key players, constituents, and organizations.
- Skilled at forming and cultivating relationships with important congressional members (and staff), executive branch officials, industry leaders, and trade associations.
- Capable of thriving in a dynamic, action-oriented environment where decision-making is critical.
- Bachelor's degree required; advanced degrees are considered an asset.
- Willingness to travel.
- Must be available for on-site work in our Washington, D.C. office.
- Must be eligible to obtain and maintain a U.S. TS/SCI security clearance.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY
Hermeus is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions at Hermeus are based solely on merit, competence, and qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability, or any other legally protected status.