Director of Government Relations

Director of Government Relations

Job Overview:

Cranium is seeking an experienced and driven Director of Government Relations to lead our engagement with government agencies and position Cranium as a key partner in AI security for the public sector. The ideal candidate has a proven track record of successfully capturing major government contracts in innovative and emerging areas, such as AI, cybersecurity, or intelligence. This role will oversee partnerships with government entities, lead policy advocacy efforts, and develop Cranium’s go-to-market strategy for delivering software solutions to the public sector.

Key Responsibilities:

Partnership and Stakeholder Management:

• Build, maintain, and expand strategic relationships with government agencies, including and other federal and state entities.
• Act as the primary liaison with government stakeholders, fostering trust and collaboration to position Cranium as a preferred partner.

Contract Capture and Business Development:

• Work with Cranium’s advisors, such as Open Policy, to develop and execute capture strategies for gov business.
• Identify and pursue opportunities to secure major government contracts, leveraging expertise in procurement strategies and novel government spaces.
• Develop capture strategies for new programs and initiatives, ensuring alignment with Cranium’s capabilities and mission.
• Oversee the preparation and submission of RFPs, RFIs, and other government solicitations.

Go-to-Market Strategy:

• Partner with marketing and sales to design and execute a public-sector go-to-market strategy tailored to government needs and procurement cycles.
• Navigate government compliance frameworks (e.g., FedRAMP, DFARS) and provide guidance to internal teams on readiness and certification.

Policy Advocacy and Influence:

• Work with Cranium’s advisors, such as Open Policy, to influence legislation and policies that align with Cranium’s goals.
• Represent Cranium at policy discussions, industry roundtables, and government forums to advocate for AI and cybersecurity advancements.
• Monitor government policy developments to identify opportunities for strategic engagement.

Strategic Planning and Market Insights:

• Develop and implement a long-term strategy for public sector growth and engagement.
• Analyze emerging trends in government AI and cybersecurity programs to identify new areas of opportunity for Cranium.

Qualifications:

Experience:

• Strong experience in government relations, public sector business development, or policy advocacy, with a strong focus on emerging technologies such as AI, cybersecurity, or intelligence.
• Proven success in winning major contracts in novel government spaces.
• Deep understanding of federal procurement processes, including navigating RFPs, RFIs, and other solicitation formats.
• Strong relationships with key government stakeholders in federal agencies, such as DHS, CISA, CIA, NSA, NGA, or DoD.

Skills:

• Exceptional ability to communicate complex technical solutions to government audiences.
• Expertise in public-sector compliance frameworks and regulatory requirements (e.g., FedRAMP).
• Strategic thinking with a proactive approach to identifying opportunities in the public sector.
• Ability to collaborate cross-functionally with marketing, sales, and product teams.

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in public policy, business, political science, or a related field (Master’s degree preferred).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in AI security or cybersecurity.
• Established network with federal agencies or policymakers.
• Knowledge of public-sector marketing strategies and how to position emerging technology solutions to government entities.

What We Offer:

• Competitive salary and equity.
• Opportunity to lead Cranium’s public sector strategy and influence groundbreaking AI security initiatives.
• A collaborative, mission-driven team passionate about securing the AI revolution.