Vice President, Government Affairs & Programs

Vice President, Government Affairs & Programs

Industry: Defense Manufacturing Technology

Location: Washington, DC area

Compensation: $300K base equity

About the Client

Our client is a defense technology company modernizing how the industrial base makes things. Their production lines are automated and reconfigurable, so output can keep pace with changing designs. The business already has paying customers and contracts on the books. They are hiring their first senior leader to run everything on the government side.

About the Role

In short: this person secures the funding that doesn't come through sales, and converts legislative wins into programs with real budget behind them.

Responsibilities

• Non-dilutive funding. Lead federal financing efforts from application through closing and drawdown, and build a progression of SBIR awards from Phase I through Phase III transition.
• Legislation into funded programs. Work with OSD and the military services to turn existing authorizing language into funded efforts.
• Contract vehicles. Stand up an IDIQ, OTA, or comparable vehicle that lets program offices and prime contractors buy quickly.
• External partners. Direct the company's government relations firms, consultants, and advisors as they shape and carry out the growth plan.
• Capture and proposals. Contract volume is about to grow sharply. Build and lead the team that keeps up with it.

Success after 18 months

• Federal financing secured and drawn.
• At least one funded program directly attributable to the company's legislative work.
• At least one contract vehicle in place and in use.
• A capture analyst and a proposal manager hired onto your team.

Requirements

• 6 years in OSD or military service acquisition, as Congressional staff, or leading government business for a defense technology company.
• A track record you can point to: specific non-dilutive dollars won or a program you got started.
• Deep familiarity with industrial base policy and the offices behind it, including the Office of Strategic Capital, DPA Title III, and IBAS, plus working relationships with the people who run them.