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The National Air Transportation Association (NATA) seeks a highly motivated Manager or Managing Director of Government Affairs with the background, knowledge, and skill to collaborate with aviation industry stakeholders and government officials to meet the needs of NATA members. This professional should have a strong interest in aviation policy and understand the government affairs environment of Congress, FAA, DOT, and TSA.

Responsibilities

Founded in 1940, NATA is the leading national trade association representing the business interests of general aviation service companies on legislative and regulatory matters at the Federal, and more recently state, level. NATA also provides education, services, and benefits to members to help ensure their long-term economic success.

NATA’s nearly 3,700 member companies provide a broad range of aeronautical services to the aviation community, including general aviation airports, aircraft sales and acquisitions, fixed base operators (FBOs) and fuel distributors, aircraft ground support, passenger and crew services, aircraft parking and storage, on-demand air charter, aircraft rental, flight training, aircraft maintenance and overhaul facilities, parts sales, and business aircraft and fractional ownership fleet management. For more information, visit https://nata.aero/about/.

Beyond interaction with governmental entities, NATA membership offers a number of important safety and business products and services including its highly regarded Safety 1st Training Program, which has led the industry in ground handling training for more than 30 years and trained thousands of aviation professionals around the world.

The Position

The Manager/Managing Director of Government Affairs is responsible for assisting with NATA’s legislative and regulatory advocacy efforts. The role requires experience, competency, professional integrity, and a basic understanding of the general and business aviation industry’s regulatory landscape. It involves direct engagement with government agencies, industry stakeholders, and NATA members. The Manager/Managing Director of Government Affairs will assist in developing strategies to influence national, state, and local policy; promote industry compliance; and advocate for the interests of NATA’s membership.

 

Key Responsibilities

Legislative and Regulatory Strategy

  • Assist VP of Government Affairs with the development and implementation of NATA’s legislative and regulatory strategies.
  • Monitor and analyze federal, state, and local legislative and regulatory developments affecting the general and business aviation industry.

Policy Development

  • Assist VP of Government Affairs, COO, and CEO with the development of NATA’s policy positions on legislative and regulatory issues affecting NATA members.
  • Assist in preparing testimony, position papers, and formal comments on proposed regulations and legislation.

Advocacy and Representation

  • Represent NATA in meetings with government agencies, including Congress, DOT, FAA, TSA, EPA, and FCC.
  • Collaborate with other NATA departments in advocating for the interests of NATA members before Congress, state legislatures, and other governmental bodies.
  • Serve as a liaison between NATA and industry coalitions, alliances, and other aviation-related organizations.

Stakeholder Engagement

  • Under direction of the VP of Government Affairs, engage with NATA members to understand their legislative and regulatory concerns and needs.
  • Facilitate communication between NATA members and legislative and regulatory bodies.
  • Assist with committees, working groups, and task forces related to legislative and regulatory issues.
  • Serve as a staff liaison to one of NATA’s policy committees.

Legislative and Regulatory Member Support

  • Write guidance to assist NATA members with statutory and regulatory compliance.
  • Assist with creation of member resources, training, communications, and educational programs.
  • Address member inquiries related to regulatory and legislative matters.

Team Leadership and Support

  • Coordinate with other NATA departments to ensure a cohesive approach to legislative, regulatory, and industry issues.
  • Assist with monitoring the government affairs budget and ensure effective allocation of resources.
  • Assist NATA’s membership department in identifying and recruiting new members in air charter, maintenance, FBO, airport, and other membership categories.

Experience and Attributes

Successful candidates will bring a variety of experiences and attributes, including:

  • 3-5 years of experience in legislative affairs, regulatory affairs, advocacy, or a related field within the aviation industry.
  • Understanding of the U.S. aviation regulatory environment, including DOT, FAA, TSA, and other relevant agencies; understanding of legislative and regulatory processes.
  • Experience in aviation policy development, advocacy, or stakeholder engagement, ideally involving charter operations, FBO operations, MRO operations, airports, advanced air mobility, or aviation environmental regulation.
  • Experience working for Congress, DOT, FAA, or TSA strongly preferred.
  • Strong leadership skills with the ability to build relationships, collaborate across departments, and work independently.
  • Excellent writing, communication, negotiation, and public speaking skills.
  • Ability to travel as needed for meetings, conferences, and industry events.
  • Bachelor’s degree in government, public policy, aviation management, or a related field.

Salary and title commensurate with experience within the range of $100K–$120K. NATA offers a comprehensive benefits package, including 100% coverage (employee and family) of health, dental,

and vision insurance; 401(k) matching and discretionary (profit-sharing) contribution; and transit benefits. This hybrid position located in downtown Washington, D.C., requires weekly in-person team collaboration, advocacy meetings, and industry events, as well as occasional travel.

Equal Opportunity Employment

In principle and in practice, NATA values and seeks participation from across the aviation business community. NATA promotes involvement and expanded access to leadership opportunity regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, religion, age, sexual orientation, nationality, cultural identity, disability, appearance, geographic location, professional level, political views or affiliations.

To provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all individuals, employment decisions at NATA will be based on merit, qualifications, and abilities. NATA does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, citizenship status, or past, present or future membership in a U.S. Uniformed Service, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Application Process

To apply, send detailed resume and cover letter explaining qualifications and interest in joining NATA to Karen Huggard at khuggard@nata.aero; please include NATA – Manager Gov Affairs Application in the subject line. Resume review begins immediately and this position will remain open until filled.