Job Description

The Industry Liaison Specialist serves as a key advisor and engagement lead supporting outreach, communication, and collaboration between the Air Force Small Business Programs office and external stakeholders, including industry partners, small businesses, defense suppliers, academia, and other government agencies.

This role is responsible for helping expand awareness of Air Force opportunities, strengthening industry relationships, supporting stakeholder engagement strategies, and ensuring consistent, professional communication across the enterprise. The Specialist plays a central role in connecting mission needs with industry capabilities to support innovation, small business participation, and industrial base resilience.

Key Responsibilities

Industry Engagement & Outreach

• Coordinate outreach activities with small businesses, industry partners, and trade associations.
  
• Support planning and execution of events, forums, conferences, and industry days.
  
• Gather, analyze, and share insights on industry capabilities, trends, and emerging technologies.
  
• Maintain relationships with external partners and serve as a point of contact for inquiries.
  

Stakeholder Communications

• Prepare talking points, briefing materials, presentations, and informational content for leadership.
  
• Support development of messages and materials that promote small business opportunities and Air Force initiatives.
  
• Assist with updates to communication channels, including web content, media, newsletters, and outreach collateral.
  

Data & Market Insight

• Track engagement outcomes and industry participation metrics.
  
• Identify barriers, gaps, and opportunities to enhance small business involvement in Air Force procurements.
  
• Provide recommendations based on market research and industry feedback.
  

Strategic Support

• Assist leadership in advancing strategic goals related to industrial base development and small business programs.
  
• Support coordination with other DoD and federal organizations to align activities and share information.
  
• Contribute to long-term engagement strategies that expand supplier diversity and innovation.
  

Coordination & Administration

• Schedule meetings, prepare agendas, and document engagement outcomes.
  
• Maintain stakeholder contact lists, engagement logs, and activity records.
  
• Support planning and logistics for outreach events and leadership engagements.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Communications, Public Affairs, Marketing, Political Science, or related field.
  
• 5+ years of experience in industry outreach, stakeholder engagement, supplier relations, business development, or government liaison work.
  
• Experience supporting DoD, Air Force, federal programs, or defense industry stakeholders.
  
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including executive-level briefings.
  
• Ability to build relationships with diverse stakeholders.
  
• Secret Clearance