Deputy Director, Government Affairs

About the Job

The Deputy Director of Government Affairs, based in Washington, DC, serves as Combined Arms’ lead federal representative and a key member of our government affairs team. Reporting to the Director of Government Affairs, this position drives our federal engagement strategy while supporting state-level initiatives during a transformative period in veteran services.

The role demands excellence in both strategic planning and tactical execution, combining policy expertise with stakeholder engagement. As our primary presence in Washington, DC, the Deputy Director will build congressional relationships, advance policy priorities, and establish Combined Arms as a thought leader in veteran services through both in-person engagement and compelling content creation.

Key Focuses for 2025 Include:

• Expanding Combined Arms’ federal presence through strategic relationship building with key congressional committees and federal agencies
• Contributing to our organization’s growth across new states while maintaining strong federal partnerships
• Developing and executing communication strategies that position Combined Arms as a leading voice in veteran services
• Building coalitions with think tanks, research institutions, and other veteran service organizations

Key Responsibilities

Federal Affairs Leadership (50%)

• Lead day-to-day federal government relations activities in Washington, DC, including regular engagement with congressional offices, committees, and federal agencies
• Build and maintain relationships with key congressional committees (HASC, SASC, HVAC, SVAC, HAC-D, SAC-D)
• Monitor legislative and regulatory developments affecting veteran services, workforce development, and healthcare
• Represent Combined Arms at Washington, DC-based events, conferences, and coalition meetings
• Coordinate with agency officials at DoD, VA, and DOL to advance organizational priorities
• Draft position papers, testimony, and briefing materials for congressional engagement

Strategic Communications (20%)

• Write and distribute monthly newsletters highlighting Combined Arms’ federal affairs activities and impact
• Create compelling blog posts on veteran policy issues and Combined Arms’ initiatives
• Draft op-eds and thought leadership pieces for publication
• Develop content for policy briefs and stakeholder updates
• Manage social media presence for government affairs activities
• Craft messaging for various audiences including policymakers, partners, and the veteran community

Strategic Support (20%)

• Support the implementation of Combined Arms’ comprehensive government affairs strategy
• Assist in developing advocacy campaigns and communication strategies
• Contribute to state-level engagement strategies and support cross-jurisdictional initiatives
• Help manage government affairs budget and resource allocation
• Track and report on key performance metrics for government relations activities

Partnership Development (10%)

• Foster relationships with think tanks, research institutions, and policy organizations
• Participate in coalitions and working groups focused on veteran services
• Support the development of public-private partnerships
• Identify and pursue opportunities for program expansion through federal channels

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in public policy, political science, or related field
• 5+ years of experience in government affairs, with significant federal-level experience
• Deep understanding of federal legislative and regulatory processes
• Strong existing relationships with congressional staff and federal agency officials
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills
• Proven track record of successful advocacy and relationship building
• Experience in veterans’ affairs, workforce development, or healthcare policy
• Demonstrated ability to write compelling policy content and public-facing materials
• Ability to travel up to 25% of time

Preferred

• Master’s degree in public policy, law, or related field
• Military service or experience working with veteran populations
• Experience with state-level government affairs
• Knowledge of federal contracting and grant processes
• Background in technology policy or healthcare innovation
• Experience managing digital communications and social media strategy

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary: $100,000 – $120,000
• Performance bonus potential up to 10% of base salary
• Comprehensive benefits package including:
  • Unlimited PTO
  • Generous company holiday schedule (28-32 paid days off per year)
  • Maternity/Paternity Leave
  • Professional development opportunities
  • 100% company-paid health benefits for employees and 50% for dependents
  • Matching 401k contributions up to 3%
  • Flexible work environment with DC office presence required

Location:

This position is based in Washington, DC, with regular in-person presence required for congressional and agency meetings, coalition events, and other stakeholder engagement.

To Apply:

Please send your resume, cover letter, and three professional references to [email protected].

In your cover letter, please address:

• Your experience with federal legislative processes and agency engagement
• Your approach to building and maintaining stakeholder relationships
• Your vision for advancing veteran services through public-private partnerships
• Examples of your policy writing and content creation experience