Position Overview
We are seeking an experienced government relations leader to advance the company's federal policy, funding, and business objectives, with particular emphasis on Congress, federal appropriations and authorization, and the federal budget process.
This individual will lead congressional engagement, build bipartisan relationships, and translate technical capabilities and operational requirements into compelling policy and funding priorities. The role requires hands-on execution and close partnership with executive leadership, Business Development, Legal, Communications, and Product.
The position may be filled at either level:
- Director: Develops and executes federal government relations strategy in partnership with executive leadership, delivering against agreed priorities and building effective congressional relationships and operating processes.
- Vice President: Sets government relations strategy, serves as the company's principal advisor on federal policy and funding, helps shape corporate growth priorities, and defines the function's structure and resources.
Both levels require independent execution and accountability for measurable policy, funding, and business outcomes. Final level will reflect demonstrated scope, judgment, and leadership.
Location: Based in Washington, DC, with regular in-person engagement on Capitol Hill and across the federal government.
Responsibilities
Lead Congressional Engagement
- Develop and execute engagement strategies with Members of Congress, personal offices, authorization and appropriations committees, congressional leadership, caucuses, and key staff.
- Establish and maintain bipartisan relationships across defense, homeland security, transportation, aviation, public safety, critical infrastructure, and other relevant national security missions.
- Increase congressional awareness of Hidden Level and establish the company as a trusted resource on airspace awareness, counter-UAS, and related policy issues.
- Identify emerging legislative, political, and budgetary opportunities early enough to shape congressional action.
Drive Appropriations and Authorization Outcomes
- Lead annual and multi-year appropriations and authorization strategies that translate business priorities into actionable funding and policy objectives.
- Identify and pursue funding opportunities based on relevant federal programs, appropriations accounts, budget lines, congressional priorities, and agency requirements.
- Develop and advance appropriations requests, authorization provisions, report language, programmatic funding, plus-ups, and other legislative mechanisms.
- Track relevant federal funding from the President's Budget Request through congressional consideration, enactment, and agency execution.
- Partner with Business Development and company leadership to connect advocacy efforts to executable federal opportunities and measurable business outcomes.
Advance Federal Policy
- Monitor and engage in federal policymaking related to defense, homeland security, aviation, transportation, counter-UAS, public safety, and critical infrastructure.
- Identify legislative, regulatory, and administrative barriers to adoption of Hidden Level's capabilities and develop strategies to address them.
- Translate complex technical and operational issues into clear policy recommendations for congressional and executive branch audiences.
- Build coalitions with industry partners, trade associations, think tanks, customers, and other stakeholders to advance shared priorities.
Represent Hidden Level in Washington
- Represent Hidden Level before congressional and executive branch officials and at relevant policy forums, industry events, and association meetings.
- Prepare executives for government engagements, including meetings, briefings, hearings, and other events.
- Coordinate congressional Member and staff visits to Hidden Level facilities and leadership engagements on Capitol Hill.
Build and Manage the Government Relations Function
- Establish stakeholder maps, engagement plans, legislative calendars, appropriations timelines, meeting preparation, follow-up, and outcome tracking.
- Develop congressional and policy materials, including funding requests, authorization proposals, legislative language, white papers, testimony, talking points, and executive briefings.
- Establish measures of progress and regularly communicate outcomes, opportunities, risks, and recommendations to executive leadership.
- Manage outside government relations consultants and advisors within agreed priorities and budgets.
- Partner with Legal to ensure advocacy activities comply with applicable lobbying disclosure, ethics, and other legal requirements.
Additional Responsibilities at the Vice President Level
- Set company-wide government relations priorities and advise executive leadership on how federal developments should inform business strategy.
- Help shape market priorities, product direction, and growth opportunities based on the federal policy, budget, and acquisition environment.
- Lead the company's most consequential government relationships and establish its broader position in Washington.
- Evaluate competing advocacy opportunities and guide investment of leadership attention and company resources.
- Define the function's structure, budget, staffing needs, and external support, with accountability for overall performance.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred.
- 10+ years of relevant experience in Congress, federal government relations, national security policy, the Executive Branch, or comparable defense or national security industry roles. Exceptional candidates with fewer years but unusually relevant experience may be considered.
- Significant experience working on or with Capitol Hill, preferably in senior congressional staff positions or roles directly managing congressional relationships and legislative strategies.
- Deep knowledge of House and Senate appropriations and authorization processes, with demonstrated success producing tangible policy or funding outcomes.
- Strong understanding of how congressional action connects to agency budgets, program execution, acquisition, and business opportunities.
- Experience with defense and national security policy and familiarity with relevant committees, agencies, and stakeholder communities.
- Established bipartisan relationships and demonstrated success building coalitions and navigating complex stakeholder environments.
- Ability to understand complex technology and translate capabilities into compelling policy, mission, and budget narratives.
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, sound political judgment, and discretion.
- A proactive, entrepreneurial approach and the ability to drive execution independently while balancing immediate opportunities and multi-year objectives.
- Ability to travel approximately 25% or as business needs require.
- This position is expected to require individual lobbyist registration under the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995.
- Must currently possess or be eligible to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance, as required.
Additional Qualifications for Vice President Consideration
- Experience setting government relations strategy and serving as a principal advisor to senior executives.
- A record of influencing corporate priorities, market strategy, or investment decisions through government relations expertise.
- Experience defining and managing a function's budget, external resources, and organizational needs.
- Demonstrated accountability for sustained policy and funding outcomes with material business impact across multiple legislative or budget cycles.
Preferred Experience
Experience in one or more of the following areas:
- House or Senate Appropriations Committees, Armed Services Committees, or relevant subcommittees
- Homeland security, transportation, or aviation committees
- Congressional leadership offices or senior national security or defense legislative positions
- Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, FAA/DOT, or other relevant federal agencies
- Counter-UAS, airspace security, aviation, defense technology, critical infrastructure, or public safety policy
- Government relations within a high-growth defense or national security technology company
Compensation and Benefits
Hidden Level offers competitive compensation and a comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance, paid parental leave, flexible time off, 401(k) with employer contributions, life insurance, disability insurance, and potential equity participation.
Compensation and Benefits: Hidden Level offers a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance, paid parental leave, flexible time off, 401(k) with employer contributions, life insurance, disability insurance, and potential stock options.
Salary Range:
Director salary range: $143,000 - $185,000 annually
Vice President salary range: $173,000-$225,000 annually
Please note that the salary information is a general guideline only. Hidden Level considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's work experience, education/ training, key skills as well as market and business considerations when extending an offer.
