Strategic Project and Communications Lead

Shadow Objects•Washington, DC

7h•$185,000 - $225,000

About The Position

ShadowObjects is seeking a Strategic Project and Communications Lead to provide leadership across strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, communications, and program execution within our Decision Intelligence portfolio. This role supports both internal and external customers and is responsible for driving successful delivery of complex technical initiatives across geographically dispersed teams and stakeholder organizations. The ideal candidate is an action-oriented strategic leader with extensive experience in project execution, communications, public relations, change management, customer engagement, and team leadership within DoN/NAVAIR environments. This individual will build strong customer relationships, develop high-performing teams, and ensure programs consistently meet or exceed expectations.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Business Administration, Communications, Public Relations, or a related discipline.
Minimum 7 years of progressive experience supporting DoN/NAVAIR programs, including project management, communications, and customer engagement.
Minimum 3 years of leadership, management, or program director experience.
Demonstrated experience supporting large, geographically dispersed organizations and managing complex stakeholder environments.
Experience simultaneously supporting internal stakeholders and external customers.
Understanding of digital engineering, data analytics, and software development principles and methodologies.
Experience with modern digital tools and platforms used within NAVAIR environments.
Demonstrated experience managing technical teams, program budgets, schedules, and complex system implementations.
Strong project management, execution, and performance optimization skills.
Experience developing communications strategies for technical programs and organizational initiatives.
Active Department of War security clearance required.
Exceptional written, verbal, presentation, and executive communication skills.
Ability to effectively engage senior and flag-level leadership, customers, technical teams, and business stakeholders.
Experience with public relations, stakeholder communications, change management, and customer engagement.
Demonstrated ability to build trust and maintain strong relationships in complex, high-stakes environments.

Nice To Haves

The ideal candidate brings a well-rounded background in strategic project management, communications, public relations, customer engagement, and organizational leadership.
You thrive in complex, geographically dispersed environments and have a demonstrated ability to lead teams, strengthen customer partnerships, navigate organizational change, and deliver results.
You are an effective bridge between technical teams, business stakeholders, and senior leadership—able to translate complex initiatives into clear strategies and compelling communications while keeping teams aligned and focused on mission success.

Responsibilities

Serve as a key point of contact for internal and external customers, ensuring strategic alignment, mission synchronization, and clear communication.
Build and maintain relationships with senior military and civilian leadership, industry partners, customers, and internal teams.
Develop customer engagement strategies that strengthen partnerships, demonstrate value, and support long-term organizational goals.
Monitor mission needs, industry trends, and emerging technologies to identify opportunities and provide strategic recommendations.
Lead change management efforts supporting organizational and program transformation.
Develop and execute communications strategies for leadership, internal teams, government customers, and industry partners.
Prepare executive briefings, program updates, strategic messaging, and other communications for technical and non-technical audiences.
Support public relations, stakeholder engagement, crisis communications, and reputation management activities.
Establish communication frameworks that promote consistent and timely information sharing across dispersed organizations.
Translate complex technical concepts into clear, actionable messaging.
Lead planning and execution of data, analytics, and decision intelligence initiatives.
Direct cross-functional and geographically dispersed teams to meet cost, schedule, performance, and customer objectives.
Establish project controls, governance, performance measures, and reporting processes.
Manage multiple concurrent initiatives while maintaining a strong focus on quality, responsiveness, and customer satisfaction.
Drive continuous improvement across program delivery and internal operations.
Support Decision Intelligence operations, including financial planning, budget execution, resource allocation, and performance management.
Develop workforce strategies focused on recruiting, developing, and retaining high-performing technical talent.
Foster a collaborative environment that empowers team members to perform at their best.
Ensure compliance with applicable DoW regulations, policies, security requirements, and organizational procedures.
Support proposal development, capture strategy, and contract positioning activities.
Prepare and deliver executive briefings, program reviews, capability presentations, and strategic recommendations.
Participate in customer planning sessions and other strategic engagement activities.
Promote a culture of innovation, collaboration, customer service, and mission success.