1.2. Director of Government Relations

Key Responsibilities:

• Identify, pursue, and win federal funding opportunities in the from agencies such as DoD (AFWERX, DARPA, DLA), DOE, ARPA-E, and others.
• Build and manage high-trust relationships with government project managers and program officers to ensure smooth execution and strategic alignment of awarded projects.
• Own the lifecycle of grant and cooperative agreement submissions, leading proposal strategy, drafting key narrative elements, and driving technical team coordination.
• Serve as Phoenix Tailings’ primary representative in Washington, D.C., regularly meeting with agency officials, Congressional staff, and public-private partnership programs.
• Track relevant federal appropriations, agency funding cycles, and contract mechanisms to align opportunities with Phoenix Tailings’ growth roadmap.
• Support the negotiation and management of funded contracts or agreements, ensuring compliance, progress reporting, and positive agency engagement.
• Coordinate with external government relations consultants and internal stakeholders to execute high-priority funding strategies under tight deadlines.
• Keep executive leadership informed with strategic insights and recommendations on evolving policy and funding trends.

Qualifications:

• 5+ years of experience securing substantial federal funding for technology development, either from within government or in industry/nonprofits applying to it.
• Proven track record of winning and managing government awards, ideally across defense, energy, or critical materials sectors.
• Familiarity with working directly alongside government program managers and contracting officials to guide active project performance and deliverables.
• Deep knowledge of major federal programs and funding channels (e.g., ARPA-E, DOE AMMTO, AFWERX, DARPA, DOD Office of Strategic Capital, etc.).
• Strong policy acumen and ability to communicate complex technical projects to non-technical federal stakeholders in a compelling and strategic way.
• Based in Washington, D.C. to maintain agency presence and develop in-person relationships.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; experience drafting grant applications, concept papers, and policy briefs.

We offer a competitive compensation package that is based on expertise. We also offer the following benefits:

• Healthcare, we care about you and your family: 100% Medical, dental, and vision coverage 
• Stock: Ownership in a fast-growing venture-backed company. 
• Family Focus: Parental leave and flexibility for families. 
• Time Off: Flexible vacation policy to encourage people to get out and see the world. 
• Team Fun: Regularly scheduled events, and celebrations. 
• Learning: Learning and development Opportunities to grow your skills and career. 
• Great team: Working with fun, hard-working, kind people committed to making a difference! 
• Flexible culture: We are results-focused. We don’t work at the office every day.