VP Corporate Communications

Viasat, Inc.•Carlsbad, CA

22h

About The Position

The Vice President, Corporate Communications is Viasat’s most senior communications executive and holds enterprise wide accountability for the company’s global public relations strategy, corporate communications narrative, executive positioning, enterprise reputation, and stakeholder trust. This role reports to Viasat’s Chief Enterprise & Strategy Officer and serves as a critical advisor to Viasat’s CEO and executive leadership team on matters of communications, reputation, and enterprise risk while also serving as the primary public relations leader and communications advisor to the CEO. This VP strategizes and executes on how Viasat engages with external stakeholders including media, industry analysts, partners, and the public during both routine operations and moments of heightened visibility or risk. This person will work closely with our Regulatory group, specifically supporting the VP Political and Government Affairs and the VP Public Affairs. The role carries enterprise wide mandate and delegated authority to set external messaging, manage reputational issues, and lead communications during the company’s most consequential moments. This position is responsible for corporate communications, PR, executive visibility, and reputation management on a global scale as well as CEO critical communications through various channels and events (All Hands meetings, emails, internal and external messaging, keynote, videos, etc).

Requirements

An advanced degree in communications, business, journalism, or equivalent combination of PR and communications work experience.
15+ years of progressive leadership in external communications and public relations at enterprise scale.
10+ years leading global PR or corporate communications teams in complex, matrixed, and highly technical organizations.
Demonstrated experience serving as primary PR advisor to a CEO or equivalent senior executive.
Proven leadership through high‑stakes communications including crisis response, M&A, regulatory scrutiny, and executive visibility.
Exceptional executive presence and judgment; ability to influence at the most senior levels without direct authority.
Strong analytical thinker with a strong understanding of complex technologies, policy environments, and global business dynamics.
Highly skilled at leveraging relationships with media and advocacy groups.

Nice To Haves

Exceptional team management skills include the ability to effectively hire, coach, motivate and empower team members at all levels.
Ability to operate in a highly competitive and globalized environment, effectively working cross-functionally to drive resolution and progress.
History of developing earned and owned media programs that deliver results.

Responsibilities

Own and lead Viasat’s enterprise communications and public relations strategy, ensuring alignment with corporate priorities, business objectives, brand and long-term reputation.
Establish company wide frameworks, standards, and decision rights for external messaging, narrative development, and reputational positioning.
Serve as the senior escalation point for external reputational issues, with authority to set direction and align leaders across the enterprise.
Partner closely with the CEO, Viasat Executive Leadership members, Legal, Security, Investor Relations and Political & Government Affairs, and Global Public Affairs on high impact external issues.
Serve as the primary PR leader for the CEO, owning strategy for media engagement, external visibility, and executive positioning. This will include occasional travel with the CEO.
Counsel the CEO on message strategy, media opportunities, risk assessment, and reputational implications of business decisions.
Prepare and manage CEO participation in media interviews, press engagements, public appearances, and industry events.
Develop and execute a long term CEO and executive thought leadership platform aligned with Viasat’s strategic priorities.
Set and oversee Viasat’s global media relations strategy, including proactive storytelling, reactive issues management, and spokesperson programs.
Build and maintain deep, trusted relationships with top tier global media, analysts, and key influencers.
Serve as a senior company spokesperson when appropriate and designate spokespersons across the organization.
Ensure disciplined, consistent messaging across all external channels and regions.
Lead external communications strategy for enterprise level crises and issues, including regulatory matters, litigation, M&A, security incidents, executive transitions, and reputational threats.
Develop and maintain crisis communications playbooks, escalation protocols, and readiness models.
Coordinate closely with Legal, Security, Investor Relations, Political and Government Affairs, Global Public Relations, and executive leadership to manage risk and protect corporate credibility.
Own strategy, performance management, and budget oversight for all external communications and PR agencies globally.
Ensure rigorous measurement of PR effectiveness, media impact, and reputational outcomes tied to business goals.
Leverage data and insights to continuously refine external communications strategy.
Build, lead, and develop a senior, globally distributed external communications organization.
Build credible relationships with business area leaders including Marketing, Legal, PB&C, Finance, and other key stakeholders across the company.
Manage and execute communications function budget, leveraging data to make and track decisions.
Connect business goals to an actionable external corporate communications strategy and plan: design, build, launch, learn and evolve.
Stay updated on and share broader industry trends, news, and other relevant topics with key stakeholders.