Director, Government & Public Affairs in Remote at Defense Maritime Solutions Inc

Embrace and promote the culture of DMS Enthusiast. Coordinate and collaborate effectively with other DMS company leaders through positive engagement and mutual respect. Hold Marketing Team members accountable to this company-wide standard for interpersonal relationships.Develop and execute DMS's government and public affairs strategy, annual goals, priorities, budget, and performance measures in alignment with company strategy, Leadership Team direction, and shareholder expectations.Lead DMS federal government relations and advocacy activities, building and maintaining effective relationships with congressional member and committee offices, executive branch and federal agency stakeholders, and other relevant government influencers.Provide strategic guidance and support to the marketing team in their delegated authority to support state and local community engagement activities.In conjunction with the Director, Business Development; monitor and assess federal authorization, appropriations, legislative, policy, acquisition, procurement, and industrial-base developments that may create risk or opportunity for DMS; translate developments into clear recommendations and actions for the President and Leadership Team.Manage DMS's third-party government relations and lobbying services provider, including scope and priority setting, recurring coordination, action tracking, performance management, invoice review, and alignment with DMS leadership objectives.Plan and coordinate government and executive stakeholder engagements, including meetings, briefings, site visits, industry events, and outreach campaigns; develop concise briefing materials, talking points, letters, presentations, and other supporting content.Partner with Business Development, Program Management, Operations, Supply Chain, and other DMS functions to translate business priorities into coordinated government engagement while protecting controlled, proprietary, export-controlled, and customer information.Provide strategic oversight and guidance for the Marketing Team in executing DMS external communications and corporate messaging, including press releases, media engagement, website and social media content, brand standards, marketing collateral, executive presentations, and company announcements.Provide strategic oversight and guidance for the Marketing Team for trade shows, conferences, industry association participation, customer and VIP visits, product or company events, and employee engagement activities, delegating routine logistics and execution where appropriate.Lead internal communications in coordination with the Marketing Team, President and Leadership Team; including Town Halls, mass employee communications, leadership messaging, strategic change communications, and other company-wide information needs.Directly supervise, develop, and prioritize the work of the Marketing team and manage external communications, marketing, event, and public-affairs vendors as required to support company objectives.Develop and manage the function's operating budget, including government relations retainers, marketing and communications spend, memberships, events, and other external services; ensure appropriate financial controls and value for DMS.Coordinate appropriately with Wartsila corporate communications, government affairs, legal, and other affiliate stakeholders while maintaining DMS governance, Special Security Agreement/FOCI, export-control, information-security, lobbying, ethics, and reporting requirements.

Government and Stakeholder Engagement - Representing DMS with federal government, industry, and external stakeholders; maintaining credible relationships and advancing approved company priorities.Managing and Providing Guidance to Team Members and Partners - Setting clear priorities for the Marketing Coordinator, outside government relations firm, vendors, and cross-functional contributors while ensuring accountability and effective communication.Gathering and Interpreting Information - Observing, receiving, and synthesizing federal, market, customer, media, and industry information relevant to DMS decision making; identifying implications and recommended actions.Developing Executive and Public Communications - Preparing concise, accurate, audience-appropriate messages, briefings, presentations, correspondence, press materials, and internal communications on behalf of DMS leadership.Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work - Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish government affairs, communications, marketing, and event activities across multiple concurrent priorities.Making Decisions and Solving Problems - Analyzing information, exercising sound judgment, and selecting practical solutions in time-sensitive, high-visibility situations involving company reputation and external stakeholders.

Executive Communication - Communicating complex business, policy, and technical topics clearly and persuasively in writing and verbally for senior leaders, government officials, media, customers, and employees.Relationship Building and Influence - Developing trusted, durable relationships; understanding stakeholder interests; creating alignment; and advancing DMS priorities through credible engagement and follow-through.Strategic and Critical Thinking - Connecting federal, market, communications, and business developments to DMS strategy; evaluating options, risks, and opportunities; and recommending practical courses of action.

Dependability - Job requires being reliable, responsible, and accountable for commitments, follow-up, and high-visibility deliverables.Integrity and Discretion - Job requires sound ethics, careful handling of sensitive information, and professional judgment in interactions with government, media, employees, customers, and affiliates.Adaptability/Innovation - Job requires acting as a change agent, adjusting rapidly to evolving external conditions, and developing new approaches to improve DMS influence, communications, and stakeholder engagement.Independence and Judgment - Job requires independent judgment, proactive execution with limited supervision, and the ability to represent the company appropriately on behalf of the President and Leadership Team.

Bachelor's degree in Political Science, Public Policy, Government, Communications, Business, Marketing, Public Relations, or a similar discipline, or equivalent relevant experience.Additional graduate-level degree in public policy, government, business, communications, law, or a similar discipline preferred.Minimum 10 years' progressive experience in federal government affairs, public affairs, government service, strategic communications, or a closely related field, including senior responsibility for external stakeholder engagement.Extensive knowledge of the federal legislative, authorization, appropriations, budget, policy, acquisition, and procurement environment; experience in the defense, maritime, shipbuilding, or industrial-base sectors strongly preferred.Demonstrated ability to build productive relationships with congressional and federal agency stakeholders and to effectively direct external government relations or lobbying consultants.Demonstrated experience overseeing integrated corporate communications, marketing, media/public relations, trade shows and events, and internal communications; strong executive writing and presentation skills required.Experience working with U.S. Government contractors and relevant lobbying, ethics, export-control, security/FOCI, and information-handling requirements preferred; knowledge of DMS/Wartsila products and markets is a plus.Position is based in the Washington, DC area and requires regular in-person engagement with federal stakeholders plus travel to DMS locations, customer sites, industry events, and other meetings as business needs require.