The Director, Industrial Base Policy supports the Vice President for National Security Policy on all matters relating to DOD Industrial Base Policy and procurement, and represents AIA on these and related issues to AIA membership, outside organizations, the Department of Defense (DOD) and other executive branch agencies, and Congressional committees and member offices.
The Director, Industrial Base Policy engages with AIA staff, member companies, councils, and committees, and is responsible for monitoring, analyzing, proposing, and advocating policies concerning defense Industrial Base Policy and procurement-related practices, the implementation of relevant regulations and legislation and their implementation, and other related areas.
Core Duties:
The Director, Industrial Base Policy reports directly to the Vice President for National Security Policy. The incumbent maintains regular contact with government officials and representatives of the Department of Defense (primarily the Office of the Secretary of Defense, including the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Base Policy, the military service Secretariats, and other defense agencies) and other Executive Branch agencies and 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 CEOs and other executives, and other senior individuals in and out of government.
The Director, Industrial Base Policy serves as AIA's primary Industrial Base Policy resource and responds to inquiries from member companies, government officials, military personnel, the public, and the media. These inquiries may range from general questions to highly technical requests requiring significant effort to assemble data and related background information. The incumbent may also prepare Congressional testimony on association positions for AIA leaders.
The Director, Industrial Base Policy may be called upon to present the Association's views orally and in writing to government and industry officials and to the media; to represent the Association 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. They will contribute articles and news items to AIA publications, highlighting issues and developments falling within the NSP division's domain, and prepare summaries of such issues for use during AIA or outside meetings.
The Director, Industrial Base Policy will support the Vice President for National Security Policy by monitoring developments and initiatives within the national security community and the Defense Industrial Base (DIB) to ensure that AIA's awareness and advocacy are integrated, comprehensive and consistent. They will focus on the objectives driven by the National Defense Strategy's emphasis on Great Power Competition and innovation - such as supply chain security, assured access to materials and resources, and advanced technology (artificial intelligence, microelectronics, digital engineering, unmanned systems, hypersonics, etc.) - and will engage with non-traditional providers to broaden AIA's membership and enhance our impact on policy. The Director, Industrial Base Policy will further ensure that AIA's engagement in the national security policy community is coordinated across AIA councils and committees (primarily the Defense Policy Council, Acquisition Policy Council, Contract Management Committee, Intellectual Property Committee, Cybersecurity Committee, and Washington Procurement Committee), and across other AIA divisions (primarily the Communications, International Affairs, Space, and Legislative Affairs divisions).
Key Responsibilities:
Policy Leadership 30%
Crafting AIA Industrial Base Policy positions that address the development and sustainment of the Defense Industrial Base (DIB) and promote innovation, secure and resilient supply chains, and a public perception of the DIB as a respected institution and source of American strength.
Maintaining liaison with trade associations, policy organizations, and academic institutions to improve AIA's awareness of, and influence on, U.S. national security policy.
Analyzing industry challenges and opportunities to prompt deliberations and policy actions.
Synthesizing concepts and ideas coming from government contacts to provide insight into future defense and aerospace developments.
Collaboration & Advocacy 50%
Leading AIA advocacy efforts and engagement with the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Base Policy, and other federal organizations and agencies that impact defense industrial base policies.
Collaborating with AIA's Communications division and other AIA divisions to develop stakeholder education materials and webinars regarding various DIB topics, including Industrial organization, industry workforce, historical industrial trends, and capital allocation decisions that industry executives make as part of their fiduciary responsibilities.
Building industry consensus among member companies on relevant and timely topics and issues, and serving as staff liaison to relevant internal and external groups.
Organizing and executing periodic council and committee meetings, including developing the agenda, assembling background information and materials, arranging for speakers and other participants, ensuring that minutes are prepared, and managing associated expenses.
Industry Activities 20%
Assisting with the planning and execution of major association events, including Executive Committee and Washington Representatives meetings, semi-annual Board of Governors meetings, periodic meetings with senior government officials.
Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications and Experience
Experience Required
The Director, Industrial Base Policy must be a known and respected practitioner in the defense acquisition community.
Must have a deep understanding of the U.S and international defense ecosystem, with a minimum of 10 years' experience in the Department of Defense, the U.S. Congress, a DoD supplier, and/or a relevant trade association.
The combination of Industry and DoD experience is highly valued.
The individual must have demonstrated research and communications skills.
Education
A Bachelor's degree is required.
A Master's or Juris Doctor degree, or PhD with engineering, business, national security, or foreign policy concentration is 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.