Senior Director, Government Relations

Job Title: Senior Director, Government Relations 

Location: Arlington, VA (Rosslyn HQ)

Position Summary: Hanwha Defense USA is seeking a Senior Director, Government Relations, to conceptualize and execute a major portion of the company’s federal governmental relations strategy. The Senior Director will assist in the organization’s outreach to Congress, federal agencies, and industry partners, with a focus on defense. This position will report directly to the Chief Strategy Officer and play a key role within a fast-growing global defense prime contractor.

Key Responsibilities:

• Strategic Advocacy: Design and implement legislative and executive branch strategy to create and sustain procurement opportunities for advanced artillery, precision munitions, and missile systems.
• Congressional Engagement: Serve as the primary liaison to the House and Senate Armed Services Committees (HASC/SASC) and Appropriations Committees (HAC-D/SAC-D) to ensure company priorities are reflected in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) and annual defense appropriations.
• Executive Branch Liaison: Work with business development team to navigate the U.S. Army acquisition system and Department of War policy bodies to align company capabilities with emerging requirements and modernization priorities.
• Policy Leadership: Monitor and analyze federal budget cycles and defense policy shifts, providing actionable intelligence to internal executive leadership.
• Consultant Management: Manage outside consultants to magnify impact of in-house government relations efforts.
• Cross-Functional Coordination: Coordinate with business development, communications, and other functions to ensure alignment between government relations activities and broader business objectives.
• Support Executive Leadership: Support senior government relations and business executives in understanding policy landscape and conducting engagement with cabinet-level and other senior government officials.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree, Graduate degree preferred.
• 15 years of professional experience in government relations, defense policy, or military legislative affairs.
• Proven network of contacts within the congressional defense committees and/or U.S. Army acquisition leadership.
• Strong understanding of federal legislative and regulatory processes, specifically focused on the NDAA and Defense Appropriations cycles.
• Exceptional oral and written ability to translate complex technical capabilities into compelling policy and value propositions for non-technical stakeholders.
• Must be based in or willing to relocate to the Washington, DC area

Why work for us?

Hanwha Defense USA is the only global defense powerhouse that designs, builds, and delivers combat-proven naval fleets, next-generation air defense, and precision munitions at scale across four continents. We also take pride in caring for our employees by offering a comprehensive medical and financial benefits package that supports their well-being and growth. Join us and enjoy a supportive environment where your personal and professional needs are met, enabling you to thrive both inside and outside of the workplace.

About us

Hanwha Defense USA oversees Hanwha’s global defense and shipbuilding initiatives spanning Hanwha Aerospace, Hanwha Systems, and Hanwha Ocean. Hanwha is reinvigorating America’s industrial comeback with the acquisition and modernization of the Philadelphia Shipyard, producing advanced artillery and long-range strike systems around the globe, and building the world’s most sophisticated commercial surface ships and naval submarines.

Hanwha Defense USA is committed to pay transparency and equitable compensation practices. The salary range listed for this position represents a good faith estimate of the base pay we reasonably expect to offer for the position at the time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on relevant skills/experience, education and certifications, market conditions, geographic location and internal pay equity. In addition to base salary, employees may be eligible for discretionary annual bonuses, benefits, and other forms of compensation as part of Hanwha Defense USA's total rewards package.

Hanwha Defense USA is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic.