Director, Communications

sesengin•Reston, VA

2d•$144,375 - $198,555•Hybrid

About The Position

SES Space & Defense (SES SD) is seeking an experienced, highly organized, and exceptional communicator to serve as its Senior Manager, Communications. This individual contributor role will lead and execute the company’s internal and external communications strategy while serving as the trusted communications partner to executive leadership. This is a roll-up-your-sleeves position for someone who enjoys owning communications from strategy through execution. The successful candidate will write, coordinate, edit, manage approvals, develop executive messaging, engage with media, produce employee communications, and ensure every communication reflects the professionalism and mission focus expected of a trusted defense partner. Working across nearly every function of the business—including executive leadership, Human Resources, Business Development, Legal, Contracts, Security, Product Management, and Marketing—this role ensures communications are timely, accurate, coordinated, compliant, and aligned with the company’s strategic priorities. This role is ideal for a communications professional who thrives in a high-accountability environment, enjoys operating with significant autonomy, and takes pride in delivering polished, executive-level communications while simultaneously managing the day-to-day execution of a comprehensive corporate communications program.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Marketing, English, or a related field.
8–10 years of progressively responsible experience in corporate communications, public relations, executive communications, or strategic communications.
Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling skills.
Demonstrated experience supporting executive leadership.
Experience managing both internal and external communications programs.
Experience writing press releases, executive messaging, speeches, and organizational communications.
Outstanding project management and organizational skills.
Ability to manage multiple priorities independently in a fast-paced environment.
Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to influence across all organizational levels.
Excellent judgment, discretion, and professionalism.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Microsoft Teams.
Ability to work in a hybrid environment from the McLean, VA office.

Nice To Haves

Experience in government, defense, aerospace, national security, intelligence, or other highly regulated industries.
Experience working with government contractors.
Media relations experience.
Executive communications experience.
Familiarity with DCSA proxy environments and security review processes.
Experience supporting organizational transformation and change communications.
Experience working with public relations agencies and external communications partners.

Responsibilities

Lead all aspects of SES Space & Defense’s employee communications program, including strategy, planning, development, execution, and measurement.
Develop and execute the internal communications strategy and editorial calendar.
Draft executive communications on behalf of senior leadership.
Produce company-wide announcements and organizational updates.
Manage the employee newsletter from planning through publication.
Own communications distributed through Microsoft Teams and other internal communication channels.
Manage content and updates for digital signage throughout company facilities.
Coordinate content collection across the organization to ensure employees remain informed about company initiatives, achievements, customer successes, and strategic priorities.
Develop communications supporting organizational change initiatives.
Support planning, messaging, content development, and execution of company All Hands meetings.
Develop employee recognition communications and leadership messaging.
Continuously improve employee engagement through effective communication programs.
Serve as the communications advisor and primary communications partner for executive leadership.
Develop executive messaging, speaking points, public event briefing materials, presentation messaging, leadership announcements, CEO communications, executive correspondence support, and executive visibility initiatives.
Partner with leadership to ensure messaging is clear, compelling, consistent, and aligned with company strategy.
Lead the company’s corporate communications program to strengthen SES Space & Defense’s reputation across government, defense, industry, partners, employees, and media.
Develop corporate press releases, partner and customer announcements, vendor communications, manage media relations and inquiries, executive visibility programs, investor communications support, industry award submissions, executive speaking opportunity support, public announcements, and crisis communications support when required.
Develop communications that position SES Space & Defense and its executive leadership as trusted voices within the government and defense community.
Develop executive blog content, LinkedIn thought leadership content, bylined articles, speaking engagement support, award nominations, and executive profiles and biographies.
Serve as the steward of communications quality, consistency, and governance across the organization.
Manage communications review and approval workflows.
Coordinate approvals with Legal, Contracts, the Facility Security Officer (FSO), executive leadership, and other stakeholders.
Ensure communications comply with applicable security, contractual, regulatory, and corporate requirements.
Maintain messaging consistency across all communication channels.
Develop communications standards, templates, and best practices.
Build strong relationships across the organization and serve as the communications advisor to multiple business functions.
Manage the company’s communications planning process while measuring effectiveness and identifying opportunities for continuous improvement.
Maintain the corporate communications calendar.
Develop editorial calendars.
Measure employee communication engagement.
Monitor media coverage and executive visibility.
Track communications performance metrics.
Prepare communications reports and recommendations.
Continuously improve communications processes and effectiveness.