Strategic Communications Manager

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory

1d • Onsite

About The Position

New ideas are all around us, but only a few will change the world. That’s our focus at JPL. We ask the biggest questions, then search the universe for answers—literally. We build upon ideas that have guided generations, then share our discoveries to inspire generations to come. Your mission—your opportunity—is to seek out the answers that bring us one step closer. If you’re driven to discover, create, and inspire something that lasts a lifetime and beyond, you’re ready for JPL. Located in Pasadena, California, JPL has a campus-like environment situated on 177 acres in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains and offers a work environment unlike any other: we inspire passion, foster innovation, build collaboration, and reward excellence. Responsibilities: JPL is seeking a Strategic Communications Manager to support business development efforts at JPL through strategic comms planning, forward-thinking communication campaigns, key message development, cross organizational collaboration, consensus building, and working with stakeholders across JPL, NASA and industry. The role will report to the Head of Strategic Communications and Media. This role will be responsible for leading and managing a multi-disciplinary communications and design team focused on integrated communications planning, message development and creative execution. The ideal candidate will have demonstrated integrated communications planning and campaign management experience addressing complex business and/or program requirements and will have an excellent understanding of stakeholder ecosystems (e.g., public, internal audiences, technical teams, Legislative Affairs, international partners/suppliers). They will be skilled in the art of working with multiple scientific and technical SMEs, distilling complex information into impactful and innovative communications proposals and products that support the furthering of business development and capture efforts. The Strategic Communications Manager will provide strategic direction and expertise to develop products and messaging geared to all stakeholder groups inclusive of the public, NASA, aerospace, international partners, science communities and Program teams. The candidate will also leverage JPL SMEs to build a clear understanding of different stakeholder communications needs and partner closely with SMEs on tactical approaches to engage. The candidate will collaborate with content development teams on communications requirements and messaging including media relations, events, branding and digital engagement and identify gaps and opportunities for communications products, support content teams and stakeholder SMEs in product development when necessary. The Strategic Communications Manager will lead and be accountable for the performance of the Business Strategy Development team under guidance of the Head of Strategic Communications and Media and in collaboration with other communication, education, media and design services teams at JPL, NASA, and our partners and will deliver an integrated communications strategy with the following key elements: Tasks include but not limited to: Responsible for leading, hiring and retaining a diverse, highly qualified staff, providing career coaching, growth, and personal development. An integrated timeline look ahead (short and long-term) to anticipate opportunities and risks; provides counsel on proactive and reactive messaging. Leverage JPL business and technical SMEs to build a clear understanding of different stakeholder communications needs to develop products and content that are focused, relevant and timely. Closely coordinate with relevant JPL mission programs, senior management at JPL and key stakeholders including project leads across NASA, NASA HQ, project engineers, scientists, Legislative Affairs, Media Relations, Public Engagement, Communications Services and JPL’s in-house design team. Brief and collaborate with content development teams on communications requirements and messaging including media, events, branding and digital products. Identify gaps and opportunities for communication products, support content teams and stakeholder SMEs in product development.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, Advertising/Marketing, Public Administration, Public Policy, Business Development/Management, or related discipline with a minimum of 9 years of related experience
• Minimum 5 years of leadership experience
• Demonstrated experience in advising and counseling senior leadership on communications strategy across multiple stakeholder groups, internal and external, including the wider space and technology industry
• Excellent interpersonal and collaboration skills and demonstrative experience in briefing, coordinating, and connecting teams to deliver, including leading, managing, coaching and directing the Mars Communication Team
• Excellent situational awareness of macro-operating environment, geo-politics, global partnership needs and requirements; keeps current on relevant industry, economic, governmental issues that should be reflected in or referenced in communications
• Demonstrated understanding of the communications ecosystem of channels (events, media, social/digital) tactics, and how to integrate them effectively with attention to budgets, resources, and deadlines
• Excellent writing and presentation skills, including developing and editing products ranging from talking points, response to queries (RTQs), frequently asked questions (FAQs), editorial copy to PowerPoint presentations
• Ability to take both a short and long-term view to strategic planning, proactively getting ahead of issues to mitigate and opportunities to leverage
• Ability to juggle constantly changing priorities and deadlines and maintain good judgment while working under pressure
• Ability to take initiative balanced with effective team skills

Nice To Haves

• Advanced degrees or certificates in communications or public policy or similar fields desired but not required
• Prior experience working effectively with multiple government and NASA stakeholders across a variety of strategic and budgetary issues strongly preferred
• Previous media and communications experience, especially within NASA environment highly desirable
• Experience in supporting senior leadership highly desirable

Responsibilities

• Strategic comms planning
• Forward-thinking communication campaigns
• Key message development
• Cross organizational collaboration
• Consensus building
• Working with stakeholders across JPL, NASA and industry
• Leading and managing a multi-disciplinary communications and design team focused on integrated communications planning, message development and creative execution
• Distilling complex information into impactful and innovative communications proposals and products that support the furthering of business development and capture efforts
• Provide strategic direction and expertise to develop products and messaging geared to all stakeholder groups inclusive of the public, NASA, aerospace, international partners, science communities and Program teams
• Leverage JPL SMEs to build a clear understanding of different stakeholder communications needs and partner closely with SMEs on tactical approaches to engage
• Collaborate with content development teams on communications requirements and messaging including media relations, events, branding and digital engagement and identify gaps and opportunities for communications products, support content teams and stakeholder SMEs in product development when necessary
• Lead and be accountable for the performance of the Business Strategy Development team under guidance of the Head of Strategic Communications and Media and in collaboration with other communication, education, media and design services teams at JPL, NASA, and our partners and will deliver an integrated communications strategy
• Responsible for leading, hiring and retaining a diverse, highly qualified staff, providing career coaching, growth, and personal development
• Provide counsel on proactive and reactive messaging
• Closely coordinate with relevant JPL mission programs, senior management at JPL and key stakeholders including project leads across NASA, NASA HQ, project engineers, scientists, Legislative Affairs, Media Relations, Public Engagement, Communications Services and JPL’s in-house design team
• Brief and collaborate with content development teams on communications requirements and messaging including media, events, branding and digital products
• Identify gaps and opportunities for communication products, support content teams and stakeholder SMEs in product development

Benefits

• JPL has a catalog of benefits and perks that span from the traditional to the unique. This includes a variety of health, dental, vision, wellbeing, and retirement plans, paid time off, learning, rideshare, childcare, flexible schedule, parental leave and many more.
• Our focus is on work-life balance, and living healthy, fulfilling lives as we Dare Mighty Things Together.
• For benefits eligible positions, benefits are effective the first day of the month coincident with or immediately following the employee’s start date.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level