Senior Director, Government Relations, Defense Appropriations and Acquisition Policy

Reporting to the Head of Defense, Global Government Relations, this role serves as one of the company's principal strategists on matters related to defense appropriations, acquisition policy, program funding, and military budget formulation. Top candidates will have extensive experience in the U.S. Senate, with excellent understanding and relationships spanning the U.S. House of Representatives and Executive Branch agencies, in addition. This role requires an accomplished senior leader with particular expertise in acquisition policy, appropriations, and guiding high-stakes policy and political engagement. 

As a Senior Director of Government Relations at Honeywell, you will play a crucial role in shaping and implementing the company's government relations strategy. You will be responsible for building and maintaining relationships with government officials, industry associations, and other stakeholders to advocate for Honeywell's interests. You will monitor legislative and regulatory developments, analyze their impact on the company, and develop strategies to address potential challenges and opportunities.

You will report directly to our Head of Defense, Global Government Relations and you’ll work out of our Washington, DC location on a  Hybrid work schedule.

The Senior Director of Government Relations will have a significant impact on Honeywell's ability to navigate the complex landscape of government policies and regulations. By building and maintaining relationships with government officials and policymakers, this role will influence the development of policies that align with Honeywell's business objectives. Overall, the Director of Government Relations will have a direct impact on Honeywell's reputation, business opportunities, and ability to drive sustainable growth.

Core Leadership Responsibilities:

Acquisition Policy Leadership: Drive strategic engagement and policy shaping with key congressional committees and offices, as well as with federal acquisition policymakers and defense acquisition executives to advance and protect company interests:

• Monitor, report on, and ultimately shape outcomes related to acquisition policy across Congressional offices, committees, and leadership in concert with internal and external stakeholders including trade associations and peer companies.
• Advocate for company interests across the Department of War and U.S. Congress, by interacting the Office of the Under Secretary of War for Acquisition and Sustainment, service acquisition leaders, and congressional defense committees working to protect Honeywell Aerospace interests and ensure fair treatment in acquisition decisions.
• Inform company leaders regarding developments in acquisition policy and strategies to deliver favorable outcomes.
• Mitigate legislative and regulatory risks across defense supply chains by analyzing shifting Pentagon requirements, executive actions, and legislative developments.

Lead Appropriations Liaison: Deliver substantial expertise and experience in guiding annual defense appropriations outcomes including budget review, committee markup processes, program funding outcomes, the Congressional add process, and consideration of supplemental appropriations to drive company understanding and outcomes for key programs and priorities, while maintain and building critical relationships with members and staff of the Congressional defense appropriations committees. 

Strategic U.S. Senate and House Advocacy: Develop and maintain trusted relationships with Senators, House Members, committee staff, and senior advisers, presenting company priorities with clarity, credibility, and technical authority:

• Spearhead legislative engagement across key Senate and House committees, including the Armed Services Committees, Appropriations Defense Subcommittees, and Foreign Relations committees to shape legislation, secure funding, and advance or defeat bill language and amendments. Significant Senate experienced is preferred, but U.S. House experience with strong reach to the Senate is also valued.
• Manage strategic alliances with both majority and minority Senate and House national security policy leadership teams, while serving as a corporate liaison to relevant party campaign committees. Apply expert knowledge of Senate and House rules, precedents, and the budget reconciliation process to navigate procedural hurdles in support of company priorities.

Executive Branch & External stakeholder engagement: Cultivate strategic relationships with White House and national security officials to align business objectives with U.S. national security priorities, positioning the company as a leader across defense procurement and policy matters. Support the company's broader national security presence in Washington, DC, developing relationships with aerospace trade associations, advocacy groups and think tanks, public policy organizations, and federally funded research and development centers.

Corporate Political Action Committee Leadership: Identify and attend high-value political and industry events to advance the HONA Political Action Committee (PAC) and company interests. Recruit eligible corporate employees to join the PAC, serving as a liaison between government affairs and internal personnel to build PAC membership. Set PAC budget allocations and collaborate with legal counsel to ensure all PAC recruitment activities comply with Federal Election Commission guidelines and corporate lobbying regulations.

Internal Executive Advisor: Provide political and policy analysis to internal stakeholders, including budget cycle insights and defense funding projections; implications of Statements of Administration Policy, authorization and appropriations bills; and rapid analysis of major policy or procedural changes across the legislative and regulatory landscape.

YOU MUST HAVE

• Minimum 10 years of experience in senior roles involving defense policy, appropriations, or acquisition is required—including but not limited to: Congressional national security staff; appropriations or defense oversight committees; Executive Branch liaison roles; defense-sector lobbying or policy advocacy; or senior positions in defense agencies with congressional responsibility. 
• Demonstrated experience engaging effectively with senior government officials, such as members of congress, political appointees and administration officials, and senior national security leaders.
• Superior communication skills with the ability to translate complex legislative and policy material into assessments and actionable insights for senior executives and communicate confidently with high-ranking government officials.

WE VALUE

• A bachelor's degree from a nationally recognized and accredited university or college. A postgraduate degree is highly desired; weighting will be given to business, political science, public policy, international relations, law, or similar fields.
• Familiarity with Federal Acquisition Regulations and defense acquisition frameworks, including commercial acquisition pathways and industrial base policy.
• Expert understanding of the federal budget and appropriations process, including the President's Budget Request and congressional oversight mechanisms.
• A current Secret clearance is highly desired; eligibility for a clearance is strongly preferred.
• Integrity, professionalism, and strong ethical standards
• Strategic judgment and the ability to manage complex portfolios
• Cross‑functional leadership and collaboration
• Adaptability to rapid political and budgetary shifts
• Vision to shape long‑term defense policy and business opportunities
• Drive, initiative, and the ability to independently deliver results

The annual base salary range for this position is $260,000-325,000. Please note that this salary information serves as a general guideline. Honeywell considers various factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate's work experience, education and training, key skills, as well as market and business considerations.

BENEFITS

Beyond a performance-driven salary, you'll work alongside dedicated experts on technology that's advancing aviation. As a Honeywell Aerospace employee, you're eligible for a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Employer-subsidized medical, dental, vision and life insurance
• Short-term and long-term disability coverage
• 401(k) match, flexible spending accounts and health savings accounts
• Employee assistance program and educational assistance
• Parental leave and 12 paid holidays
• Paid time off for vacation, personal and sick time

Explore your benefits: https://honeywellaerospacebenefits.com/

The application period for the job is estimated to be 40 days from the job posting date; however, this may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates.