Senior Manager, Government Affairs (Defense Advocacy)

About the Job

The Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI), the world’s largest nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement of uncrewed systems and robotics, represents corporations and professionals from more than 60 countries involved in industry, government, and academia. AUVSI members work in the defense, civil, and commercial markets. We pride ourselves on being the leading trade association serving a growing autonomous vehicle industry sector, including drones, automated and remotely operated ground and maritime vehicles, and their related components and systems.

The Opportunity

The Senior Manager will play a key role in expanding and enhancing AUVSI’s advocacy efforts by driving the adoption of AUVSI’s defense priorities within the legislative branch, the Department of Defense (DoD), and service branches. This position will be responsible for building and maintaining relationships with key Members of Congress, Congressional Committees, and their staff, as well as tracking and promoting legislation, regulations, policies, and funding that support the integration of uncrewed systems within the DoD.

Additionally, this role will advocate improvements to the DoD’s acquisition process, ensuring it evolves in line with the fast pace of the uncrewed systems industry, allowing for more effective adoption and utilization by the DoD. The Senior Manager will engage directly with key decision-makers at all levels, pushing for meaningful change. Therefore, experience in working with elected officials is essential, as is the requirement to be a registered federal lobbyist in this role.

Essential Job Functions

The Senior Manager, Government Affairs, Defense Advocacy will be responsible for managing and advancing AUVSI’s defense portfolio across multiple advocacy committees. Acting as the primary liaison between AUVSI HQ and defense-focused members, this individual must have experience working closely with high-level executives, including CEOs.

As the day-to-day lobbyist for AUVSI’s Defense Advocacy Committee, this role will represent AUVSI on Capitol Hill and within the Executive Branch, particularly with the Department of Defense (DoD). The ideal candidate will have established relationships with key lawmakers and their staff to gather critical intelligence and advance defense advocacy priorities effectively.

Goals for This Position Include:

• Provide AUVSI advocacy committee members with real-time advocacy intelligence, counsel, and support on defense advocacy priorities on Capitol Hill and from the Pentagon and service branches.
• Work with AUVSI members to foster consensus-based positions on key policy areas impacting the defense sector.
• Retain current and recruit new members in the defense industry that are engaged in autonomy, uncrewed systems, AI, and cybersecurity.
• Support existing staff to manage the day-to-day activities of AUVSI’s Advocacy Committees.
• Write briefs, letters, summaries, and other materials to support members, AUVSI communications, and other internal and external needs.
• Effectively respond to Congressional requests for feedback on pending and/or draft legislation, and support drafting, gathering feedback on, and submitting regulatory comments.
• Assist in the creation and execution of advocacy strategic plans and tactics.

Qualifications

• Three to five years of relevant work experience.
• Capitol Hill experience as a staffer on a defense-focused committee (HASC, SASC, House/Senate Defense Appropriations) and/or Military Legislative Assistant in a personal office of a Member of Congress that sits on a relevant committee, and/or in the Pentagon in a legislative affairs or acquisition role.
• Candidates must be DC/DMV-based and able to regularly commute to Capitol Hill.
• Experience building relationships with people at all levels.
• Exceptional attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently as well as follow an established process.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite.

Supervision

None.

Working Environment

This position will be based in our Arlington, VA office on a hybrid schedule (minimum of three days per week in the office); full remote would be considered for the right candidate. The office space is a new construction with a state-of-the-art anti-microbial air filtration system. Some travel is required, typically up to 30% of the time.

Physical Requirements

While performing the duties of the job, the employee is occasionally required to stand, sit, walk, reach, stretch, and manual dexterity. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be asked to lift objects up to 15 lbs.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO)

As we lead our industry to new heights, our core values keep us grounded. They describe the shared beliefs and commitments that bring us together and make us a powerful advocate for autonomous technology. When we operate from our values, they inspire our daily actions, including the way we work with each other and the way we serve our members. AUVSI is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our team, partners, and members. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender expression, age, national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status.

Email [email protected] for more information on how to apply.