Vice President, Government Affairs

Shift5 is the observability platform for onboard operational technology (OT). We’re a rapidly growing scale-up that specializes in cybersecurity, predictive maintenance, and compliance for operational technology (OT) systems across defense, aerospace, and rail. We are a collaborative, passionate, and driven cadre of dynamic, multidisciplinary experts and we’re focused on helping our customer’s fleets run smarter and safer by accessing and democratizing the volumes of onboard OT data generated by transportation and freight fleets, and defense fleets and weapon systems. Come join us. 

Our Values :

• Embrace Truth and Integrity: Base decisions on data, foster open dialogue, and uphold unwavering integrity.
• User-Centric Focus: Prioritize user needs to guide our actions and resource allocation.
• Collaborative & Adaptable: Collaborate for excellence, learning from failures and driving iterative improvements, recognizing every decision's significance.

Shift5 is seeking a Vice President Government Affairs to join our growing team. In this role, you will develop, manage, and execute the legislative and government funding process and support strategy and function for Shift5. You will be responsible for government partnerships, federal funding program strategy, lobbying and government policy strategy. You will develop planning efforts, working collaboratively with all executives, department heads and team leads to advise, educate, and develop strategy and support for our policy positions, advocacy, contracts, appropriations, and compliance efforts at various government agencies. You will ultimately be building and managing Shift5’s government and congressional interface and engagement strategy.

The Vice President Government Affairs will provide support to the sales and marketing teams, focus on developing relationships and identifying local, state, and federal government initiatives that provide a vehicle for the company to expand business development where opportunities align. You will network with stakeholders within the legislative branch and local, state, and federal levels. Key policy areas of focus include technology, data, cyber defense, aerospace, transportation, and defense.

This position is based in Rosslyn, VA with willingness to travel as needed. Up to 25% travel is anticipated.

You will be expected to :

• Facilitate engagements with congressional offices and other government officials, including scheduling meetings and preparing briefing materials before key congressional engagements with senior executives and members of Congress.
• Manage the day-to-day government affairs operations and the DC based lobbyists/consultants to further Shift5’s strategic goals.
• Conduct outreach and host events and tours for government stakeholders to further the policy and business development goals of the company.
• Advance Shift5’s brand in the policy and political community to include all appropriate outreach programs, event sponsorships, political fundraising events, third party groups, partnerships, and development.
• Work with external consultants and third parties engaged in government affairs matters and collaborate with business and engineering leads to develop policy positions on key issues, and draft legislative language.
• Closely collaborate with stakeholders across Sales, Marketing, Engineering, Finance, and Legal to develop and execute on business development and partnership opportunities. 
• Lead, manage, and develop the government relations team, fostering a culture of excellence, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Maintain a team-oriented environment with regular communications that educate and deeply involve the appropriate leaders on legislative policy and regulatory issues, working closely with the CGO, executives, and department heads. 
• Track and communicate Department of Defense and other non-DOD federal contracting and R&D opportunities and work with the sales and marketing team to conduct outreach to prime contractors in pursuit of partnerships and other collaborative arrangements.
• Attend – and recommend – briefings and events related to key issues and policies, and the variety of trade organizations, associations, and coalitions relevant to Shift5.
• Prepare policy briefs, white papers, and other advocacy materials to communicate the company's positions and support lobbying efforts.

Qualifications :

• 5+ years of sales or partnership experience within the technology sector.
• 5+ years of experience interfacing with DoD and federal government offices.
• At least 2 years working in Congress involved in the legislative process.
• In depth understanding of the legisl