Director, Government Relations
Airbus · Washington D.C., United States · onsite
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Job Description:
The Director of Government Relations is responsible for executing a high-impact advocacy agenda that protects and promotes Airbus’ interests across the aerospace industry. This role is a strategic liaison between the company and government stakeholders, requiring a sophisticated navigator who can translate complex business objectives into persuasive policy arguments. Whether securing program funding, shaping regulatory frameworks, or managing political risk, you will act as a front-line diplomat ensuring our operational excellence is matched by our legislative and advocacy influence.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Direct Advocacy and Representation: Develop positions on key issues and leverage Airbus’ reputation to influence policy discussions. Support legislative business goals—specifically appropriations and authorizations—for all Airbus businesses. Build and maintain a robust network of contacts within the government and among key industry stakeholders to amplify our corporate voice.
- Strategic Collaboration: Work across all Airbus businesses to collaborate with business development teams to generate and support new opportunities, particularly for helicopter and defense programs.
- Political Intelligence: Provide real-time intelligence on political risks and opportunities, acting as an early-warning system to identify potential risks or opportunities for the business.
- Internal GR Support: Communicate with internal stakeholders to provide updates on business priorities, political developments, and PAC solicitations. Work with the Senior Director Government Relations to develop clear strategic policy objectives.
Qualified Experience and Training:
Education:
- Bachelor’s degree in Political Science, Communications, or Engineering; Advanced degree (Master’s Degree or J.D. preferred)
Experience:
- 10+ years of experience in Government Relations. Experience working on Capitol Hill (Member or Committee level) and/or a senior role within a federal agency or military service is required.
- Demonstrated track record of success in developing and executing strategies and campaigns in support of corporate objectives; a broad range of personal experience, relationships and understanding of the U.S. Federal, state and local government leaders, policies, procedures and processes; and an in-depth understanding of the global and U.S. aerospace industries.
Licensure/Certifications:
Required: Must be able and willing to register with the US Government as a lobbyist.
Travel Required:
- 20% Domestic and International
Citizenship:
- U.S. citizenship is required. Must be eligible to obtain a security clearance if business objectives require it.
Qualified Skills:
Knowledge, Skills, Demonstrated Capabilities:
Required
- Ability to think strategically while analyzing complex legislative and regulatory issues. Must be an energetic self-starter capable of diplomatic interaction with senior executives and government officials.
Communication Skills:
Required:
- Strong interpersonal communication skills, both spoken and written, and the proven ability to effectively lead corporate advocacy efforts across a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community.
Complexity of the Role: (Provide several examples of the types of decisions or recommendations made in performing the responsibilities of this position. Describe the degree of independent decision-making, environment, interfaces, internationalization and change factors. Provide the number of direct reports, job dimensions and nature of contacts.)
- Decisions & Recommendations: Develops positions on key issues and leverages Airbus’ reputation to impact policy discussions. Recommends tactical engagement strategies on legislative barriers or opportunities impacting Airbus programs.
- Independent Decision-Making: Acts as an official spokesperson on specific issues and programs, requiring mature judgment in fast-moving political environments.
- Environment & Change: Must operate effectively in a "fast moving" team environment, requiring participation in evening/weekend events and frequent travel.
Level of Decision Making: (Provide level of decision making (strategic, tactical, operational) and impact of decisions.)
- Level: Primarily Tactical with Strategic input.
- Impact: Engages business units to help develop strategic goals and actions tactical plans for implementation.
Organizational information:
This position has a solid line to the Senior Director Government Relations.
Direct Reports:
Is this a people manager? No
Direct reports: 0
Job Dimensions: (List specific examples of direct responsibility this position has for company assets, revenue, budget and financial responsibility, strategic influence, customer relationships and impact on customers, key figures per year.)
- Assists in managing external consultants and advisors.
- Strategic Influence: Direct lobbying accounts for 75% of the role, specifically targeting legislative goals related to appropriations and authorizations.
- Business Development: Provides support (15%) for new business opportunities, particularly for defense and helicopter programs.
Nature of Contacts: (Identify the communications in performing the responsibilities of this position: internal, external, cursory, involved, influencing, negotiating and frequency. Also, include the primary internal audience.)
- Daily interaction with senior government officials, Members of Congress, and relevant associations/think tanks.
- Primary Internal Audience: Head of Government Relations, senior Airbus executives, and business unit leadership.
- Communication Type: Direct lobbying, influencing, and public speaking. Requires strong diplomatic skills to work with a broad range of individuals
Physical Requirements: (Describes the physical requirements in the performance of the primary responsibilities of this position. Includes: Lifting, Carrying, Pushing/Pulling, Sitting, Standing, Squatting/Kneeling, Walking, Speaking, Hearing, Vision, Manual Dexterity and Travel. Include estimated time or percentage for each factor and maximum weight for lifting.)
- Onsite or remote: % [please list the percentage of time that this position must be worked onsite at the company’s location]
- Vision: able to see and read computer screen and other electronic equipment with screens, able to read documents, reports and engineering drawings. [please list frequency—if cannot list an actual percentage of time, then specify daily, several times a week, several times a month, at least once a month, or a similar descriptor]
- Hearing: able to hear to participate in conversations in person and via teleconference or phone and to hear sounds on production floor including safety warnings or alarms. [please list frequency—if cannot list an actual percentage of time, then specify daily, several times a week, several times a month, at least once a month, or a similar descriptor]
- Speaking: able to speak in conversations and meetings, deliver information and participate in communications. [please list frequency—if cannot list an actual percentage of time, then specify daily, several times a week, several times a month, at least once a month, or a similar descriptor]
- Equipment Operation (personal computer, telephone, copies, fax machine, and related office equipment and using electronic identification card to enter building floors and internal doors): able to operate most office and personal electronic equipment and some tools including production tools su