Senior Director, Government Relations, Defense Appropriations and Acquisition Policy

Honeywell Aerospace Technologies

. Serve as a principal strategist on defense appropriations, acquisition policy, program funding, and military budget formulation .

Posted 10/23/2026full-timeUnited StatesSenior💰 $260,000 - $325,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in defense appropriations, acquisition policy, and military budget formulation, with a strong ability to engage and advocate for interests across government entities. Proven track record in strategic judgment, relationship management, and navigating complex legislative environments.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Defense Policy ExpertiseFederal Acquisition Regulations FamiliarityStrategic JudgmentSenior Government EngagementU.S. Senate Experience

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Defense AppropriationsAcquisition PolicyMilitary Budget FormulationLegislative AnalysisFederal Budget UnderstandingCongressional Oversight MechanismsPolitical AnalysisProgram FundingBudget Reconciliation ExpertiseDefense Acquisition Frameworks

Soft Skills

Superior Communication SkillsIntegrityProfessionalismCross-Functional LeadershipAdaptability

Certifications & Qualifications

Secret Clearance

Industry Keywords

Government Relations StrategyCongressional CommitteesNational Security PolicyPolitical Action Committee ManagementDefense Supply Chains

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Serve as a principal strategist on defense appropriations, acquisition policy, program funding, and military budget formulation
Shape and implement Honeywell's government relations strategy
Build and maintain relationships with government officials, industry associations, and other stakeholders
Monitor legislative and regulatory developments, analyze their impact, and develop strategies to address challenges and opportunities
Drive engagement and policy shaping with congressional committees, federal acquisition policymakers, and defense acquisition executives
Monitor, report on, and shape acquisition policy outcomes with internal and external stakeholders
Advocate for Honeywell interests across the Department of War and U.S. Congress
Inform company leaders about acquisition policy developments and strategies
Analyze Pentagon requirements, executive actions, and legislative developments to mitigate risks across defense supply chains
Guide annual defense appropriations outcomes, including budget reviews, committee markups, program funding, congressional adds, and supplemental appropriations
Maintain relationships with congressional defense appropriations committee members and staff
Develop relationships with Senators, House Members, committee staff, and senior advisers
Lead legislative engagement across Armed Services, Appropriations Defense Subcommittees, and Foreign Relations committees
Shape legislation, secure funding, and advance or defeat bill language and amendments
Manage alliances with majority and minority national security policy leadership teams
Apply Senate and House rules, precedents, and budget reconciliation expertise to support company priorities
Cultivate relationships with White House and national security officials
Support Honeywell's national security presence in Washington, DC through engagement with trade associations, advocacy groups, think tanks, policy organizations, and federally funded research and development centers
Lead the HONA Political Action Committee by attending events, recruiting eligible employees, setting budget allocations, and ensuring compliance with Federal Election Commission guidelines and corporate lobbying regulations
Provide political and policy analysis to internal stakeholders, including budget-cycle insights, defense-funding projections, and rapid analysis of policy and procedural changes

Requirements

What you’ll need

Minimum 10 years of experience in senior roles involving defense policy, appropriations, or acquisition
Demonstrated experience engaging effectively with senior government officials, including members of Congress, political appointees, administration officials, and senior national security leaders
Superior communication skills and ability to translate complex legislative and policy material into assessments and actionable insights for senior executives
Ability to communicate confidently with high-ranking government officials
Bachelor's degree from a nationally recognized and accredited university or college is valued
Familiarity with Federal Acquisition Regulations and defense acquisition frameworks
Familiarity with commercial acquisition pathways and industrial base policy
Expert understanding of the federal budget and appropriations process
Understanding of 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 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 ability to independently deliver results
Extensive U.S. Senate experience preferred, with understanding and relationships spanning the U.S. House of Representatives and Executive Branch agencies

Benefits

Comp & perks

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