Director, Leadership & Change Communications

BAE Systems•Falls Church, VA

2d•$138,267 - $235,053

About The Position

The Director, Leadership & Change Communications is responsible for developing and executing strategic communications that support organizational transformation, strengthen leadership alignment, and drive employee engagement. This role serves as a trusted communications advisor to executive leadership and works to ensure messaging is aligned with business priorities, culture and long-term strategy. During periods of change, they help guide the business and leaders to ensure consistency in messaging and work to cultivate a strong sense of trust between employees and company leadership. Reporting to the director, this person will be responsible for establishing and enforcing the requisite communications frameworks, governance, and best practices to ensure consistency and clear expectations across the team and with partners. The director leads high impact communications programs to accelerate change adoption, strengthen leadership visibility, and enhance the overall employee experience. As a senior communications leader, this person will influence enterprise decision-making, anticipate and mitigate communications risks, and ensure employees remain informed, connected, and engaged.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing, HR, or related field.
10 years of experience in internal communications change communications, executive communications, HR communications, or related field. 8 years of experience with advanced degree.
Proven experience leading communications strategies for organizational change and transformation initiatives.
Experience leading teams in large, complex organizations.
Strong executive communications experience supporting senior leaders.
Exceptional writing, editing, storytelling, and presentation skills.
Demonstrated ability to translate complex information into clear, engaging and actionable communications.
Experience managing cross-functional stakeholders and influencing without direct authority.
Strong understanding of change management principles and employee engagement strategies.
Ability to manage multiple priorities and navigate fast-paced, ever-evolving business environments.
Strong strategic thinking & judgement, organizational skills, and attention to detail.

Nice To Haves

Prior experience in large, matrixed organizations preferred.
Master’s degree in Communications, Organizational Development, Business Administration, or related field preferred.

Responsibilities

Develop and lead the enterprise approach for leadership and change communications, ensuring alignment with corporate priorities, business objectives, and organizational change/transformation initiatives.
Serve as a senior communications advisor to executive leadership, providing strategic counsel on messaging, positioning, organizational announcements, and high-impact enterprise business initiatives.
Lead the development of executive communications frameworks and governance, including enterprise town halls, leadership meetings/forums, major announcements, speeches, presentations, videos, and employee engagement campaigns.
Establish standards, governance, and best practices for leadership and change communications to ensure consistency, quality, and alignment.
Direct communications approaches that support enterprise transformation initiatives, including organizational redesign, technology modernization, digital transformation, policy changes, mergers & acquisitions, and culture initiatives.
Anticipate communications risks and develop strategies that cultivate trust across the organization.
Lead, mentor, and develop a team of communicators working to develop core communications competencies.
Champion innovation communications approaches, emerging technologies, and employee engagement practices with an eye on continuous process improvement and enhanced employee experience.
Create executive-ready materials that simplify complex business topics into clear, actionable communications.
Lead communications planning for sensitive organizational matters with professionalism, discretion, empathy, and strategic alignment.