Senior Director, Acquisition Policy

Position Summary:

The Senior Director, Acquisition Policy supports the Vice President for National Security Policy on all matters relating to DOD acquisition policy, including, but not limited to research and development, programmatic pathways, test and evaluation, cybersecurity, intellectual property, and sustainment policy matters. The incumbent represents AIA on these and related issues to AIA membership, outside organizations, the Department of Defense (DOD), other executive branch agencies, and Congressional committees and member offices.

Building on their experience, judgment, and network, the incumbent works with and seeks input from member companies, councils, and committees, and is responsible for monitoring, analyzing, proposing, and advocating for legislation, regulation, and policies concerning defense acquisition; monitoring implementation of such rules; and other related areas.

Core Duties:

The Senior Director, Acquisition Policy serves as AIA’s primary defense acquisition policy resource and responds to inquiries from member companies, government officials, military personnel, the public, and the press. These inquiries may range from general questions to highly technical requests requiring significant effort to assemble data and related background information. The incumbent also may prepare Congressional testimony on association positions for AIA leaders.

The Senior Director, Acquisition Policy maintains regular contact with government officials and representatives of the DOD, Executive Branch agencies, and other offices. The incumbent may accompany the Vice President for National Security Policy and other senior AIA leaders to meet with senior Administration officials, members of Congress and staff, AIA member company Chief Executive Officers and other executives, and other senior individuals in and out of government.

The Senior Director, Acquisition Policy may be called upon to present AIA’s views orally and in writing to government and industry officials and to the media; to represent AIA in coalitions that are formed to present a unified approach on national security policy issues of mutual interest; and to represent AIA positions as a spokesperson at conferences and seminars. The incumbent will contribute articles and news items to AIA publications, highlighting issues and developments within the NSP division’s portfolio, and prepare summaries of such issues for use during AIA or outside meetings.

The Senior Director, Acquisition Policy will support the Vice President for National Security Policy by leading and coordinating the activities of AIA’s acquisition-focused councils, committees and working groups, primarily the Acquisition Policy Council, Intellectual Property Committee, and others.

Key Responsibilities:

Policy Leadership 40%

• Representing AIA to all stakeholders across the federal acquisition community.
• Leading AIA input to, comments on, and communications regarding defense acquisition policy matters, including executive orders, regulatory actions, policy memoranda, and other guidance affecting defense acquisition.
• Analyzing industry challenges and opportunities and synthesizing concepts and ideas coming from government contacts and AIA’s council, committee and working group activities into cohesive policy positions.

Collaboration & Advocacy 40%

• Advocating for the association’s acquisition priorities and agenda in collaboration with internal AIA staff, including senior directors for Communications, Legislative Affairs, Civil Aviation, Space Systems, and other divisions.
• Providing regular input and advisory support to the Washington Procurement Committee and informing AIA legislative goals and activities.
• Building industry consensus among member companies on relevant and timely defense industry topics and issues and serving as staff liaison to relevant internal and external groups.

Industry Activities 20%

• Overseeing arrangements and content for periodic council and committee meetings (including developing the agenda, assembling background information and materials, arranging for speakers and other participants, and ensuring that minutes are prepared), and managing expenses associated with all council and committee meetings.
• Assisting with the planning and execution of major association events, including Executive Committee and Washington Representatives meetings, and semi-annual Board of Governors meetings.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Experience:

Experience Required

• The Senior Director, Acquisition Policy must be a known and respected practitioner in the defense acquisition community, with focused experience in defense acquisition policies and practices.
• The successful candidate will have a deep understanding of the U.S and international defense ecosystem, with a minimum of 12 years of experience in the DOD, the U.S. Congress, a DOD supplier, and/or a relevant trade association.
• The combination of both industry and DOD experience is highly valued.
• The incumbent must have excellent writing, research, speaking ability, superior attention to detail, and be skilled at working within large groups with divergent views to build consensus.

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree, preferred.
• Specialized acquisition credentials and certifications, and/or a Juris Doctor or Master’s degree with acquisition, business, or national security concentration are preferred

To Apply, please send the following documents to jobs@aia-aerospace.org:

• Resume
• Cover Letter

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Equal Opportunity Employer

AIA is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace, committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity/expression or veteran status.