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.

You will be responsible for…

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. 
• The ability to 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

• Bachelor’s degree Political Science, Public Policy, Law, International Relations, Business Administration, or a related field.
• 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.