Manager, Acquisition Policy

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Position Summary

The Manager, Acquisition Policy (MAP) supports AIA’s Vice President, National Security Policy (VP) and Senior Director, Acquisition Policy (SDAP) on all matters relating to DOD acquisition and procurement and represents AIA on these and related issues to AIA membership, outside organizations, the Department of Defense (DOD) and other executive branch agencies, and Congressional committees and member offices.

Building on his or her experience, judgment, and network, the incumbent works with and seeks input from member companies, and is responsible for monitoring, analyzing, proposing, and advocating policies concerning defense acquisition and procurement practices; regulations and legislation and their implementation; and other related areas.

This position reports directly to the Vice President, National Security Policy, with routine direction from and coordination with the Senior Director, Acquisition Policy.

Key Responsibilities:

The Manager, Acquisition maintains regular contact with government officials and representatives of the Department of Defense (primarily the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the military Service Secretariats, and other defense agencies) and other Executive Branch agencies and offices. S/he may accompany the VP, SDAP, and other senior AIA leaders to meet with Administration officials, Members of Congress and staff, AIA member company CEOs and other executives, and other senior individuals in and out of government.

The MAP serves as a defense contracting and acquisition policy resource and responds to inquiries from member companies, government officials, military personnel, the public, and the media. These inquiries may range from general questions to highly technical requests requiring significant effort to assemble data and related background information. S/he may be called upon to represent NSP in coalitions that are formed to present a unified approach on national security policy issues; and to draft articles and news items for AIA publications.

The MAP supports the National Security Policy Division by monitoring challenges, opportunities, and general developments within the defense acquisition community, and the broader Defense Industrial Base (DIB), to ensure that AIA’s awareness and advocacy are integrated, comprehensive and consistent.

Monitoring Regulatory Environment 25%

• Serve as the NSP Division’s liaison to relevant internal and external groups, and monitoring the large and dynamic USG and DOD contracting and compliance regulatory system on our member companies’ behalf to identify industry challenges and opportunities.

Policy Development 25%

• Synthesize concepts and ideas coming from across AIA’s council, committee and working group activities into cohesive policy positions.
• Build industry consensus among member companies on relevant and timely topics and issues, and crafting compelling and timely industry responses and other input.

Industry Activities 25%

• Oversee content and arrangements for frequent Council and Committee meetings (including developing the agenda, assembling background information and materials, arranging for speakers and other participants, and ensuring that notes and summaries are prepared), and managing expenses.

Advocacy and Engagement 25%

• Assist with the planning and execution of major AIA events (developing the agenda, assembling background information and materials, arranging for speakers and other participants, ensuring that summaries are prepared, and managing associated expenses and other logistics), including Executive Committee and Washington Representatives meetings, semi-annual Board of Governors meetings, periodic meetings with senior government officials.

• The Manager, Acquisition Policy must be very familiar with the defense acquisition community, with focused experience in defense contracting policies and practices.
• S/he will have a broad understanding of the U.S defense ecosystem, with a minimum of 7 years of experience in the Department of Defense, the U.S. Congress, a DoD supplier, and/or a relevant trade association.
• Military service and/or DoD experience is highly valued.
• S/he must have demonstrated excellent research and writing ability, and superior attention to detail.
• While a Bachelor’s degree and Master of Arts degree with a business, contracts or auditing concentration are preferred, meaningful work experience is the most important qualification for this position.

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.