Director, Intelligence & Defense Liaison (, WA, United States)

About the Role

Chainalysis Government Solutions (CGS) is seeking a Director, Intelligence & Defense Liaison to serve as the strategic bridge between CGS and the Intelligence Community (IC) and Department of War (DoW). In this high-visibility role, you will manage relationships with external lobbying firms, cultivate and maintain executive-level relationships across U.S. and allied intelligence agencies and defense organizations, and ensure CGS is positioned as the trusted partner of choice for blockchain analytics in the national security space.

You will play a critical role in aligning intelligence and defense engagement with the company's broader strategic vision, advocating for the adoption of blockchain analytics in national security missions, and advancing CGS's mission to build trust in blockchains.

Key Responsibilities Lobbying Firm Management

• Serve as the primary point of contact for all contracted lobbying and government affairs firms focused on IC and DoW equities, ensuring alignment with CGS strategic objectives.
• Define engagement priorities, set performance metrics, and conduct regular reviews to evaluate lobbying effectiveness and ROI within the defense and intelligence appropriations and authorization landscape.
• Coordinate lobbying activities across relevant congressional committees (e.g., Armed Services, Intelligence, Defense Appropriations), ensuring consistent messaging and compliance with all applicable lobbying disclosure requirements.
• Manage lobbying budgets and contracts, negotiating terms and renewals as needed.

Executive Intelligence & Defense Relationship Management

• Build, manage, and deepen relationships with executive and senior leaders (e.g., Agency Directors, Deputy Directors, Combatant Commanders, Under Secretaries, Program Executive Officers, Senior Intelligence Officials) across key Defense and Intelligence Community Organizations
• Serve as a trusted advisor and executive sponsor for strategic IC and DoW accounts, ensuring customer satisfaction, retention, and expansion.
• Represent CGS at high-level government meetings, classified and unclassified industry conferences (e.g., INSA, AFCEA, AUSA, DoWIIS), congressional briefings, and roundtable discussions.
• Facilitate executive engagement opportunities (e.g., classified briefings, capability demonstrations, pilot programs, SCIFs) between CGS leadership and IC/DoW stakeholders.

Strategic Planning & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Develop and execute a comprehensive IC and DoW engagement strategy aligned with CGS's business goals and national security sector growth targets, in close partnership with the Chief of Strategy.
• Collaborate with Sales, Marketing, Product, and Legal teams to ensure intelligence and defense mission requirements are reflected in product roadmaps and go-to-market strategy.
• Provide intelligence on defense and intelligence budget trends, acquisition priorities, national security policy shifts, and competitive dynamics that impact CGS's IC/DoW business.
• Collaborate with the Policy team to shape CGS's positions on issues at the intersection of cryptocurrency, national security, sanctions enforcement, counter-threat finance (CTF), and emerging digital asset threats.

Thought Leadership & Advocacy

• Position CGS as a thought leader in the intersection of blockchain technology and national security through speaking engagements, white papers, and media interactions.
• Advocate for the integration of blockchain analytics into counter-threat finance, counter-proliferation, sanctions enforcement, counter-terrorism, and cyber operations missions.
• Organize and host events, workshops, and training sessions for IC and DoW leaders to showcase CGS capabilities and deepen engagement.

Qualifications

Required

• 10+ years of experience in intelligence community affairs, defense industry government relations, lobbying, or national security–focused relationship management, with a significant portion at senior or executive levels.
• Proven track record of managing lobbying firms or government affairs consultants focused on defense and intelligence clients, including setting strategy, tracking deliverables, and measuring outcomes.
• Established network of senior-level contacts across U.S. intelligence agencies and/or DoW organizations .
• Deep understanding of the DoW and IC acquisition processes, budget cycles (PPBE), and the U.S. legislative process as it pertains to defense authorization and intelligence appropriations.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills , with the ability to influence at the C-suite, general/flag officer, and senior executive service (SES) level.
• Bachelor's degree in Political Science, Public Policy, International Relations, National Security Studies, or a related field.
• Active U.S. government security clearance (TS/SCI preferred) or ability to obtain one.

Preferred

• Former senior intelligence official, military flag/general officer, senior DoW civilian (SES), or senior defense industry government affairs professional.
• Experience in the defense technology, cybersecurity, or intelligence analytics sectors.