Director, Government Relations

About the Company

America is under sustained cyber attack. Our adversaries infiltrate our networks, steal our IP, and degrade the digital infrastructure that modern life runs on. They’ve learned—correctly—that those attacks rarely produce consequences.

Twenty was founded to change that, by making our adversaries think twice before they attack us. Our vision is American and allied primacy in cyberspace—a future where they cannot contest us, deterrence is assured, and the free world remains secure.

Founded in 2024, Twenty Technologies (www.twenty.io) industrializes offensive cyber operations for the U.S. and its allies. Headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, Twenty has raised $168M from Khosla Ventures, Accel, Caffeinated Capital, Friends & Family Capital, Point72 Ventures, General Catalyst, and In-Q-Tel.

Mission | On Site | Full Time | U.S. Citizenship Required / No Active Clearance Required

Role Summary

Twenty builds cyber capabilities and intelligence products for the U.S. Government and its allies. Our work supports national security missions across the Department of Defense and the Intelligence Community. You’ll lead Twenty’s federal advocacy and government engagement, helping policymakers understand its capabilities and advancing the policy, legislative and funding priorities that support its mission.

You’ll turn business priorities into a focused federal advocacy strategy, build trusted relationships across Congress and the Executive Branch, and translate developments in defense, technology and procurement policy into decisions leaders can act on. This is a hands-on role for a government relations professional who can set direction, represent the company credibly and carry the work through.

Who You Are

• You understand how federal policy, budgets and defense acquisition decisions are made, and can identify where thoughtful engagement will matter.

• You build trust through preparation, sound judgment and consistent follow-through.

• You turn complex policy questions into clear positions, practical recommendations and persuasive written materials.

• You work effectively with executives and technical teams, and exercise discretion when handling sensitive information.

What You’ll Do

• Help lead Twenty’s federal advocacy strategy before Congress, the Executive Branch, the Department of War, and the Intelligence Community, translating company priorities into clear policy positions and an actionable engagement plan.

• Develop and advance legislative and appropriations priorities, including proposed language for the National Defense Authorization Act, Intelligence Authorization Act and defense appropriations bills.

• Build and maintain relationships with the House and Senate Armed Services, Appropriations and Intelligence committees, Pentagon leaders and relevant federal agencies.

• Work with Washington-based trade associations and defense coalitions to advance shared policy priorities.

• Track developments in AI governance, cybersecurity, federal cloud policy and defense procurement, including FAR/DFARS, other transaction authorities and middle tier acquisition pathways; explain their implications for Twenty’s Product, Legal and Sales leaders.

• Write executive-ready policy briefs, white papers, congressional testimony and stakeholder materials that explain Twenty’s positions accurately and persuasively.

• Direct the preparation and timely submission of federal lobbying disclosures, including LD-2 and LD-203 filings, in coordination with Legal and external advisers.

• Partner with Legal and relevant internal owners on lobbying, export-control and procurement-integrity compliance, including the Honest Leadership and Open Government Act, ITAR, EAR and the Procurement Integrity Act.

Must Have

• 5+ years of federal government relations experience in-house, at a government relations firm, or in a relevant senior congressional staff or defense official role.

• A thorough understanding of the federal budget cycle, defense acquisition timelines and emerging technology regulation.

• Established, referenceable relationships with key Capitol Hill and Pentagon stakeholders.

• Experience developing and executing federal advocacy strategies, with clear examples of your contribution to legislative, appropriations or agency engagement priorities.

• Strong policy analysis and writing skills, including the ability to turn complex developments into concise recommendations for senior business leaders.

Nice To Have

• Direct experience advancing policy priorities related to AI, cybersecurity, federal cloud computing or other national security technologies.

• Experience working with trade associations or defense coalitions.

• An active U.S. government security clearance, or immediate eligibility to obtain one, is highly preferred.

Benefits
What's on the table:

• Health. Medical, dental, and vision plan options. Life / AD&D, disability coverage options.

• Family. Paid parental leave for eligible full-time employees. 12 weeks for birthing parents, 4 for non-birthing parents, 6 weeks for adoptive, foster, or intended parents through surrogacy.

• Vacation. Paid holidays and flexible PTO. Take what you need.

• Retirement. 401(k) with pre-tax and Roth options. HSA/FSA options, dependent care FSA.

Benefits vary by location, role, and eligibility. Full plan details provided during the interview and offer process.

If this role sounds like you, apply and share with us your interest

Due to U.S. government contract and security requirements, this role is limited to U.S. citizens. Some positions may also require eligibility to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance. Any active clearance requirement will be listed in the role description.

Twenty is an equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected status, consistent with applicable law.

If you need a reasonable accommodation during the hiring process, let us know and we will work with you.