SVP, Government Relations

Peraton delivers mission-critical capabilities to the nation's most important national security and civil government customers. As the company continues to evolve as a next-generation technology provider deepening its presence across the federal enterprise, Peraton is seeking a Senior Vice President of Government Relations to serve as a senior strategic counselor to its executive leadership team.

This is a role defined by foresight, relationships, and judgment. The SVP will be responsible for maintaining broad situational awareness of the federal policy, technology, and political landscape while translating complex, fast-moving developments into clear, actionable guidance for Peraton's most senior leaders. The SVP will bring particular depth in the civilian federal government space, complementing Peraton's existing strength across the national security community, and will provide senior leadership and mentorship to the Washington Operations team that manages the company's legislative and Hill engagement.

What you'll do

Serve as a trusted strategic advisor to Peraton's executive leadership, providing timely intelligence and counsel on federal policy trends, agency priorities, budget dynamics, technology policy developments, and the broader political environment.
• Monitor and synthesize developments across the civilian federal and national security landscape, including leadership transitions, appropriations signals, acquisition and procurement policy shifts, and emerging technology priorities, translating that awareness into strategic recommendations for the executive team.
• Track and advise on federal contracting and acquisition policy, including GSA, government-wide acquisition vehicles, and legislative or regulatory developments that affect how the federal government buys technology and services.
• Build and maintain senior-level relationships across the civilian federal government and national security space, broadening Peraton's visibility and credibility in communities that complement the company's national security foundation.
• Provide senior leadership, mentorship, and strategic direction to the Washington Operations team, investing in the team's growth and amplifying the impact of its legislative and lobbying work.
• Advise on Peraton's positioning on key legislation, appropriations, and policy debates, ensuring Hill engagement is guided by a coherent strategic framework.
• Engage on technology policy issues relevant to Peraton's mission and commercial trajectory, including artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, space, and the commercialization of government technology, with the fluency to represent the company credibly in senior policy settings.
• Represent Peraton externally at the executive level in industry associations, policy forums, and senior government settings.
• Partner with business development and capture leadership to align government relations activities with the company's growth priorities.
• Serve as a senior advocate for Peraton's corporate Political Action Committee, leveraging executive relationships and external visibility to support PAC engagement and advance the organization's strategic objectives in coordination with PAC leadership.

What success looks like

• Executive leadership has timely, accurate, and actionable intelligence on the policy, technology, and political developments most relevant to Peraton's business before they become urgent.
• Peraton has a stronger, more credible presence across the civilian federal community, extending the company's reach beyond its national security core.
• The team is growing in capability and confidence, with its legislative and lobbying work operating at a higher strategic altitude.
• Government relations strategy is tightly integrated with Peraton's corporate strategy, growth agenda, and technology positioning.

Experience

• 25 or more years of progressive experience in government relations, federal policy, or public affairs, with a meaningful portion of that career spent in senior roles at the intersection of government and industry.
• Demonstrated experience in a senior government affairs leadership role at a major federal technology contractor, aerospace and defense company, or comparable organization operating in the national security or civil government markets.
• Prior service in the federal government in a senior capacity, including but not limited to senior congressional staff, committee leadership, or executive branch policy or legislative affairs roles, with a strong working understanding of the federal budget, appropriations, and authorization processes.
• Established, trusted relationships across the civilian federal government and national security space at the senior career and political appointee levels, including in agencies with significant technology and mission-support portfolios.
• Experience advising C-suite executives and senior leadership teams on matters of federal policy, political risk, and strategic positioning.
• Familiarity with federal acquisition and contracting policy, including GSA vehicles, procurement reform, and the legislative and regulatory dynamics that shape how the government buys technology, sufficient to advise on strategic positioning and emerging risk.

Skills and attributes

• Exceptional political judgment and the ability to synthesize complex, fast-moving information into concise, credible recommendations for senior decision-makers.
• A bipartisan reputation and the credibility to engage effectively across political and institutional lines.
• Working fluency in technology policy, including artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and the evolving landscape of government technology commercialization, and the ability to engage credibly on these topics with senior government and industry stakeholders.
• Deep familiarity with the federal contracting and procurement environment, including an understanding of how policy and budget decisions translate into business opportunities for large government technology companies.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and mentor talent, building team capability over time while operating with the perspective appropriate for a senior strategic role.
• Outstanding communication and executive presence, with the ability to represent Peraton credibly in senior government, industry, and policy settings.
• Familiarity with trade associations, industry coalitions, and the broader Washington policy ecosystem relevant to a federal technology provider.

Education

• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree in public policy, law, national security, political science, or a related field preferred.

Clearance

• Active security clearance strongly preferred. Candidates with the demonstrated ability and willingness to obtain and maintain a clearance required for this role will be considered.

Peraton is a next-generation national security company that drives missions of consequence spanning the globe and extending to the farthest reaches of the galaxy. As the world's leading mission capability integrator and transformative enterprise IT provider, we deliver trusted, highly differentiated solutions and technologies to protect our nation and allies. Peraton operates at the critical nexus between traditional and nontraditional threats across all domains: land, sea, space, air, and cyberspace. The company serves as a valued partner to essential government agencies and supports every branch of the U.S. armed forces. Each day, our employees do the can't be done by solving the most daunting challenges facing our customers. Visit peraton.com to learn how we're keeping people around the world safe and secure.