The Director, Acquisition Policy supports the Vice President for National Security Policy on all matters relating to DOD acquisition 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 incumbent works with and seeks input from member companies, councils, and committees, and is responsible for monitoring, analyzing, proposing, and advocating policies concerning defense acquisition and procurement-related practices; regulations and legislation and their implementation; and other related areas.
AIA is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace, committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity/expression or Veteran status. Consistent with our AIA’s commitment to be an Equal Opportunity Employer, we strongly believe that diversity contributes to a broader collective perspective that will consistently lead to a better organization and better results. We are working hard to increase the diversity of our team wherever we can and we actively encourage everyone to consider becoming a part of it.
Core Duties and Responsibilities:
This position reports directly to the Vice President for National Security Policy.
The Director, Acquisition Policy maintains regular contact with government officials and representatives of the Department of Defense (primarily the Office of the Secretary of Defense, 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, Acquisition Policy serves as AIA’s primary 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 Director, Acquisition 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. The incumbent 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, 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, Cost Principles Committee, Contract Management Committee, Aerospace and Defense Controllers Committee, Cash Flow Committee, Washington Procurement Committee, and others.
Additional related duties include:
Analyzing industry challenges and opportunities and synthesizing concepts and ideas coming from government contacts and council, committee and working group activities into cohesive policy positions;
Providing insights into future defense and aerospace developments to prompt deliberations and actions;
Building industry consensus among member companies on relevant and timely topics and issues, and serving as staff liaison to relevant internal and external groups;
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; and
Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications and Experience:
Experience Required
The Director, Acquisition Policy must be a known and respected practitioner in the defense acquisition community
S/he will have a deep understanding of the U.S and international defense ecosystem, with a minimum of 15 years of experience in the Department of Defense, the U.S. Congress, a DoD supplier, and/or a relevant trade association
Military service and/or DoD experience highly valued
The incumbent must have excellent writing, research, and speaking ability
Ability to work within large groups with divergent views to build consensus
Attention to detail
Education:
A Bachelor’s degree or comparable work experience is required
Master of Arts/Science degree with business, finance, or national security concentration is preferred.
Three (3) References [Name, Title, Contact information]
AIA is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace, committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity/expression or Veteran status.
About Aerospace Industries Association
The Aerospace Industries Association (AIA), founded in 1919, only a few years after the birth of flight, is the most authoritative and influential trade association representing the U.S. aerospace and defense industry on Capitol Hill, within the administration and internationally. As the voice of American aerospace and defense, AIA’s strong advocacy is essential to protecting the interests of our nation and our industry.
Based in Arlington, Va., AIA is led by a Board of Governors that meets twice a year and consists of senior representatives of member companies at the c-suite level, and an Executive Committee that meets more frequently. A hallmark of AIA is that it receives its policy guidance from the direct involvement of CEO-level officers of companies of all sizes across all levels of our industry. The government frequently seeks advice from AIA on issues, and AIA provides a forum for government and industry representatives to exchange views and resolve problems on non-competitive matters related to aerospace and defense.
Today, more than 340 major aerospace and defense companies and their suppliers are members of the association, embodying every high-technology manufactu...ring segment of the U.S. aerospace and defense industry including commercial aviation and avionics, manned and unmanned defense systems, and space technologies and satellite communications.
Working together through our councils and committees, AIA is at the forefront of critical issues, such as advocating for robust federal budgets for aerospace and defense, a strong U.S. industrial base, defense modernization, and an efficient acquisition system. In addition, accelerating deployment of Next Generation Air Transportation System (NexGen) technologies and equipment, promoting the use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), modernizing export controls, and obtaining additional resources for research and development and space exploration are important priorities. We are a leader in developing and publishing national aerospace standards that are used in aerospace design and manufacturing across the globe. And we coordinate and lead a full spectrum of efforts across the local, state and federal levels to address workforce recruitment and retention. Read more about AIA’s strategic plan and priorities here.
The aerospace and defense industry supports our national security and drives our nation’s economy. It fuels innovation, creates competition, and employs millions of Americans. We are proud to represent our members and our nation.
