Reports To
Eric Fanning, President / CEO
Job Level
Office of the President
Department
Space Systems
FLSA Status
Exempt
Location
Arlington/Hybrid
Position Type
Full-Time
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Position Summary:
The Aerospace Industries Association Vice President Space Systems is responsible for the development of AIA industry policy and budget advocacy positions on Civil, Commercial and National Security Space Programs. This position entails advocating on space issues, developing and articulating industry positions to national stakeholders through media, briefings, Congressional Hearings, conferences, Congressional events and panel discussions.
Specifically, the Vice President for Space Systems is charged with influencing and driving issues, regulations and developments that impact the U.S. space industrial base and workforce. To accomplish these responsibilities, the Vice President for Space Systems leads a team at AIA that works with and supports the space and space-related council, committees and working groups of Member companies within AIA focused on space issues.
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.
Key Responsibilities:
This position reports directly to the CEO and interacts with AIA’s Executive Committee, its Board of Governors, and other member CEOs and senior company representatives.
The Vice President, Space Systems oversees the space policy division that presently includes the Senior Director, National Security Space, and Senior Manager, Space Systems. The Vice President for Space Systems is charged with serving AIA’s external member community, as well as the internal stakeholders who collectively assure the health of AIA through consistent membership renewals and top prospect acquisition. This includes collaborating with cross-departmental teams such as advocacy and outreach, and membership.
The Vice President for Space Systems is responsible for developing industry positions; drafting and refining AIA’s arguments on the various issues and topics under consideration; and in making these viewpoints known to appropriate Federal agencies, including Space Force, NASA, NOAA, DoD, FAA, the White House, the Department of Commerce, and the Intelligence Community, as well as their various bureaus and commissions. Some of these groups may have government, civilian, both domestic and international and/or military officials participating in or observing deliberations.
As the principal liaison to AIA company committees, subcommittees, and task forces, the Vice President for Space Systems works to identify and clarify space policy issues. The Vice President for Space Systems will both exercise thought leadership on long term space policies and also seek to develop industry consensus positions on relevant issues.
The Vice President regularly confers with various civilian and military officials within the Federal government and agencies to gain attention and favorable consideration of AIA’s viewpoint on subjects of current interest. Arranges and coordinates joint government-industry working groups and project teams within assigned area of responsibility to gain consensus on major issues affecting the aerospace industry.
Occasionally the Vice President will attend or participates in testifying at congressional hearings to advocate for issues relevant to AIA’s space policy strategy regarding legislative considerations and its potential impact on the aerospace and defense industry. Prepares and presents testimony or assists the legislative affairs staff in drafting testimony for the President and CEO to present at such hearings.
Serves as a central resource person, and as such responds to inquiries from member companies, government officials and the public seeking information and background data and expertise on space policy issues. These inquiries can range from general questions to highly specific requests that may take days to assemble the required data and background information.
Qualifications and Experience:
Experience Required
- Demonstrated self-starter with the ability to thrive in a fast-moving environment.
- An experienced professional in space and space-related policies, regulation and legislation.
- An understanding of the issues impacting the space industry domestically and internationally and a vision for how to advance and resolve these issues.
- Experience as part of a management team or in a management role in government, an association, law or consulting practice, or aerospace-related corporation.
- Ability to effectively develop and advocate for the vision, programs, and value of AIA membership to current and potential members in space and space policy.
- A vision and the ability to translate that vision into programs addressing the current and future issues relevant to companies operating in the space industry, including new and emerging markets.
- Ability to work independently as well as a team player while producing the highest caliber work product in a timely manner.
- Experience in developing and managing departmental budgets.
- Superb interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to work collegially with others and with the highest standards of integrity.
- Demonstrated experience and success in the use of technology as a management tool.
Education:
- Bachelor’s degree required or equivalent experience required; Master’s or additional degree preferred
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.