Associate Director of Strategic Affairs

Title: Associate Director of Strategic Affairs
Company: Heven AeroTech
Location: Washington, DC
FLSA: Exempt
Reports To: Chief Executive Officer and Chief of Staff

About Our Company:
At Heven AeroTech (Heven), we don’t just believe in the power of people—we build our success on it. As a recognized leader in hydrogen-powered drones, we’ve earned recognition for creating a workplace where innovation thrives, collaboration is second nature, and every employee feels valued. Our culture is anchored in trust and a shared commitment to excellence.

We believe great teams are built on individuals who are humble, hungry, and smart—those who put team success first, take initiative to continuously improve, and demonstrate strong interpersonal awareness. At Heven, your voice matters, your ideas are heard, and your contributions make a tangible impact as you grow through hands-on experience and collaboration across the team.

Role Summary:
The Associate Director of Strategic Affairs serves as Heven AeroTech’s in-house strategic advisor on Washington, DC dynamics and industrial policy alignment. This role provides senior-level judgment, narrative discipline, and risk awareness as the company scales Department of War (DoW) engagement and national visibility.

The Associate Director will oversee Heven’s advocacy and policy needs and build relationships to advance Heven AeroTech’s growth and strategic objectives. This role operates at the intersection of executive counsel and government affairs—translating Washington dynamics into actionable guidance for the CEO and senior leadership team.

Essential Responsibilities:

In-House Washington Judgment & Government Affairs:

• Serve as the CEO’s internal advisor on how initiatives, narratives, and engagements will land inside Washington—across DoW, State, Commerce, Energy, OMB, White House, and Congressional policy circles.
• Provide guidance on tone, sequencing, framing, and posture for senior engagements.
• Anticipate and flag emerging risks related to policy shifts, political scrutiny, or cross-agency misalignment that may create unintended reputational consequences.
• Directly manage outside team of lobbyists and government affairs professionals.
• Lead engagement and briefings of Members of Congress, Congressional Committees, Hill Staffers, and Executive Branch Officials.
• Attend political fundraisers and other events to increase visibility, build trust, and strengthen relationships—political relationships should advance business needs and help anticipate and cushion future headwinds.
• Support the CEO in meeting management, stakeholder mapping, and high-level follow-up for key U.S. engagements while ensuring impartiality and trust.

Strategic Narrative Control:

• Ensure Heven is consistently understood as a strategic domestic industrial platform, not narrowly categorized as a defense contractor.
• Maintain narrative discipline across defense, energy, manufacturing, workforce, and allied contexts.
• Guard against drift that could limit Heven’s long-term policy optionality.
• Collaborate with Marketing and Business Development to ensure cohesive storytelling and refine the company pitch to align with partner geo-strategic needs.

Ecosystem Alignment, Coalition Building & Reputation Visibility Beyond DoW:

• Coordinate Heven’s positioning across industrial-policy ecosystems, including trade associations, think tanks, strategic partnerships, event sponsorships, and policy circles.
• Ensure DoW momentum reinforces broader industrial, energy, and infrastructure adoption pathways rather than isolating the company within pure defense channels.

Israel Interface & Allied Technology Alignment:

• Ensure Israeli-American engagements are aligned and coordinated with Heven’s broader strategic posture.
• Filter and contextualize allied technology and innovation narratives to ensure alignment with U.S.-based manufacturing, clean intellectual property, and national-security expectations.
• Provide early warning on foreign-technology optics or compliance sensitivities that could affect company positioning or regulatory standing.

Qualifications & Experience:

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in Political Science, International Relations, Public Policy, Law, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• 10+ years of experience in government affairs, executive-branch service, Capitol Hill, or senior policy roles.
• Demonstrated network of relationships across DoW, relevant Congressional committees, and key Executive Branch agencies.
• Proven track record in strategic communications and narrative management for organizations operating across multiple policy domains.
• Sophisticated understanding of U.S.-Israel bilateral dynamics, allied technology cooperation frameworks, and ITAR/export-control sensitivities.
• Exceptional political judgment, discretion, and executive presence—capable of representing Heven at the highest levels of government and industry.
• Ability to operate as both a strategic counselor and hands-on executor, managing external advisors while directly leading key engagements.
• Experience managing outside lobbying firms, coalitions, and advocacy campaigns.

Preferred:

• JD, MBA, or advanced degree in a relevant field or relevant experience.
• Experience in aerospace, defense technology, manufacturing, or related industries.
• Familiarity with DoD acquisition processes, defense industrial base policy, and interagency coordination frameworks.

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Frequent use of hands and fingers for typing, writing, and operating office equipment.
• Ability to communicate verbally and in writing with internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally for government meetings, industry events, and strategic engagements.
• Regular attendance at evening events, fundraisers, and government affairs functions as required.

Benefits Overview: 
Heven AeroTech offers a competitive benefits package designed to support the health, financial security, and overall well-being of our employees and their families. Benefits include medical, dental, and vision coverage, retirement plans, paid time off/sick, and additional protections such as critical illness, hospital indemnity, accident coverage, and short- and long-term disability.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement: 
Heven AeroTech is an Equal Opportunity Employer and considers all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.