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REGENT is developing Seagliders—wing-in-ground-effect craft that travel just above water at 180 mph with 180-mile range on current battery technology (up to 400 miles with next-gen batteries). The company is scaling from prototype to full production and seeking a Director of Government Relations - Regulatory to lead federal government relations strategy around Seaglider certification and operations.
In this role, you will own REGENT's federal government relations work supporting Seaglider certification, regulation, and operations. You'll build and strengthen relationships across Congress, the executive branch, and relevant federal agencies (DHS, U.S. Coast Guard, DOT, FAA), focusing engagement on policy and regulatory priorities that create a clear path to market. You'll lead government engagement on the regulatory and policy frameworks governing how Seagliders are certified and operated, building coalitions to advance this new vehicle category.
You'll engage in federal authorization and appropriations processes—including FAA reauthorization, U.S. Coast Guard authorization, and transportation appropriations—to advocate for funding, programs, and federal support that accelerate Seaglider certification and operations. You'll translate complex technology into clear, compelling policy narratives, bringing together customers, industry partners, trade associations, and other stakeholders to strengthen REGENT's advocacy. You'll partner closely with REGENT's lobbyists to advance legislative priorities.
Serving as a trusted government relations advisor to senior leadership, you'll help determine where REGENT should engage, how the company uses its time and political capital, and how leaders should approach high-stakes government meetings. You'll work closely with Business Development, Marketing, Engineering, Manufacturing, Legal, and leadership to connect government relations to company strategy, regulatory priorities, and external communications.
REQUIREMENTS:
- Active federal network: real, current relationships on the Hill and across relevant transportation executive branch agencies; people who know you, take your calls, and trust your credibility.
- Transportation regulatory experience: direct work with DHS/U.S. Coast Guard, DOT/FAA, and/or other relevant federal agencies on regulatory or policy matters; understanding of how agencies operate and how to navigate rulemaking, policy, and regulatory processes for novel technology.
- Authorization & appropriations fluency: understanding of how federal authorization and appropriations processes work, including FAA reauthorization, U.S. Coast Guard authorization, and DOT/transportation appropriations cycles; ability to connect those processes to funding, policy, and program opportunities.
- Emerging technology advocacy: credibility built for a company, technology, or industry that didn't fit neatly into an existing policy framework; ability to translate complex and unfamiliar concepts into compelling cases for policymakers.
- Political & executive judgment: understanding that access alone isn't strategy; ability to read the political landscape, understand competing interests and reputational considerations, and advise senior leaders on where to engage and when not to engage.
- Collaborative team player mindset with creative problem-solving skills and comfort navigating problems without an obvious playbook.
- Adaptability and agility in environments where political dynamics, funding opportunities, and company priorities change quickly.
