📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Communications Director, DigMod Sector
🔹 Company: Leidos
🔹 Location: Reston, VA
🔹 Job Type: Full-Time
🔹 Category: Communications & Marketing
🔹 Date Posted: April 28, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 10+ years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Leading the communications function for the Digital Modernization business sector
- Developing and implementing communications strategies to drive growth and enhance the Leidos brand
- Managing a team of communications professionals and overseeing all communications strategies
- Collaborating with senior executives and other functional teams to develop and implement communications and marketing strategies
- Ensuring alignment within the sector and with all enterprise initiatives
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a broad communications skillset, strong leadership skills, and the ability to balance multiple priorities and requirements with agility and resourcefulness.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Develop and implement sector-specific communications and marketing strategies that strengthen our position as a technology leader in key markets
✅ Plan, execute, and manage internal- and external-facing campaigns in support of sector initiatives and technology investments
✅ Develop and manage compelling content for various platforms, including websites and social media
✅ Ensure the correct positioning in key market-facing materials, including our website, press releases, white papers, sales materials, trade shows, and social media
✅ Oversee the sector media strategy, including all press releases, response to media inquiries, and cultivating relationships with journalists and media outlets
✅ Support priority trade shows with overall messaging, collateral, and event marketing, as well as supporting capability and technology demonstrations
✅ Directly collaborate with the Sector President and leadership team in developing presentations, speeches, and other important internal and external-facing deliverables
✅ Engage with our Growth team to understand current and future customer needs, competitive offerings, market trends, and competitive strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities
✅ Inform and engage employees at all levels of the organization through consistent and targeted internal communications initiatives
✅ Develop and manage annual budget that includes advertising, marketing, trade shows, charitable contributions, sponsorships, memberships, town halls and forums, external events, and other sector activities
✅ Identify and develop opportunities to amplify enterprise initiatives within the sector for increased engagement and alignment
✅ Support crisis communications, as needed, through timely and aligned messaging with key stakeholders
✅ Act as a brand champion for Leidos, ensuring our brand standards are maintained across all internal and external touchpoints
ASSUMPTION: This role requires strong communication, leadership, and organizational skills, as well as the ability to distill complex topics and technical details into accessible narratives and talking points.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor’s degree (preferably in Communications, English, Public Relations, Marketing, Business, or Management)
Experience: 12+ years of prior relevant work experience tied to communications or related field
Required Skills:
- Ability to lead and mentor others through strong interpersonal and leadership skills
- Superior English writing, editing, public speaking, and presentation skills
- Demonstrated proficiency with communications technologies and delivery channels
- Demonstrated expertise in planning and executing communication campaigns for large, complex organizations that engage a broad spectrum of stakeholders
- Expert ability to curate and synthesize information into engaging and actionable deliverables
- Exceptional organization skills and ability to respond quickly and accurately to requests
- Ability to distill complex topics and technical details into accessible narratives and talking points
Preferred Skills:
- Experience working with or in highly regulated organizations, government contracting, information technology providers, or aerospace companies
- Proficiency in AP style grammar
- Prior internal communications and employee engagement experience
- Experience using collaborative software and workflow management tools
ASSUMPTION: While the preferred qualifications are not strictly required, they would be beneficial for success in this role and are common among successful candidates in similar positions.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $124,800.00 - $225,600.00
Benefits:
- Health and Wellness Programs
- Income Protection
- Paid Leave
- Retirement
Working Hours: 40 hours per week, with flexibility for remote work not specified
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on the job title, experience level, and location. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as skills, experience, and internal equity.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Defense and Space Manufacturing. Leidos is a Fortune 500 innovation company rapidly addressing the world’s most vexing challenges in national security and health.
Company Size: 10,001+ employees. Leidos offers a large and diverse work environment with opportunities for career growth and development.
Founded: 1969. Leidos has a rich history and extensive experience in its industry, providing a stable and established work environment.
Company Description:
- Leidos is a global Fortune 500® innovation company rapidly addressing the world’s most vexing challenges in national security and health.
- The company's global workforce of 48,000 collaborates to create smarter technology solutions for customers in heavily regulated industries.
- Leidos has been named to lists including Forbes’ Best Employers for Diversity, Forbes’ America’s Best Employers for Women, Military Times Best for Vets Employers, and Ethisphere Institute’s World's Most Ethical Companies®.
Company Specialties:
- Defense
- Intel
- Sensors
- Health Systems
- Enterprise IT
- Cyber
- Systems Integration
- Space
- Healthcare
- Digital Modernization
- Cybersecurity
- AI/ML
- and Aviation
Company Website: https://www.leidos.com
ASSUMPTION: Leidos is a well-established company with a strong reputation in its industry and a commitment to ethical business practices.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: This role is at the senior management level, requiring significant experience and expertise in communications and marketing.
Reporting Structure: The Communications Director reports to the Chief Communications & Marketing Officer and collaborates with senior executives and other functional teams within the sector.
Work Arrangement: This role is on-site, with the ideal candidate residing in the Washington, D.C. metro area and working out of the Leidos Global Headquarters in Reston, Va.
Growth Opportunities:
- Leidos offers opportunities for career growth and development within its large and diverse organization.
- The company's commitment to employee engagement and professional development provides ample opportunities for employees to advance their careers.
ASSUMPTION: While not explicitly stated, Leidos' large size and diverse range of services suggest numerous opportunities for career growth and advancement within the company.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Leidos Global Headquarters
Office Location(s): Reston, VA
Geographic Context:
- Reston, VA is a suburban area located in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan region, offering a mix of urban and suburban living.
- The area is known for its high quality of life, with excellent schools, numerous parks, and a vibrant cultural scene.
- Reston is also home to a diverse and highly educated workforce, providing ample opportunities for networking and professional growth.
Work Schedule: The work schedule is not specified, but the role is on-site, with the expectation of standard business hours.
ASSUMPTION: The on-site work arrangement may require some flexibility in working hours to accommodate meetings and collaboration with team members and stakeholders.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission
- Phone or video screen with a member of the HR team
- In-person or virtual interview with the hiring manager and/or other team members
- Final interview with senior leadership
- Background check and reference check
- Job offer and onboarding
Key Assessment Areas:
- Communication skills, both written and verbal
- Leadership and management abilities
- Strategic thinking and planning
- Cultural fit and alignment with Leidos' values and mission
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
- Demonstrate your understanding of Leidos' business and the specific needs of the Digital Modernization sector
- Be prepared to discuss your approach to communications strategy, campaign planning, and budget management
- Showcase your ability to work collaboratively and manage multiple priorities
ATS Keywords: communications, marketing, media relations, social media, employee engagement, crisis communications, content development, public speaking, leadership, interpersonal skills, writing, editing, campaign planning, budget management, brand management, stakeholder engagement
ASSUMPTION: Leidos uses an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) to manage job applications, and including relevant keywords in your resume can help improve your chances of being selected for an interview.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft Office Suite
- Collaboration software (e.g., Microsoft Teams, Slack)
- Workflow management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello)
- Social media management platforms (e.g., Hootsuite, Sprout Social)
- Content management systems (e.g., WordPress, Drupal)
ASSUMPTION: The specific tools and technologies required for this role may vary depending on the team's preferences and the organization's standards.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Integrity: Uphold the highest ethical standards in all actions and decisions
- Customer Focus: Understand and meet customer needs and expectations
- Diversity & Inclusion: Foster an inclusive environment that values and leverages the diverse backgrounds and perspectives of our employees
- Innovation: Encourage creativity and continuous learning to drive business growth and improve operational excellence
- Stewardship: Act responsibly and make decisions that promote the long-term success of the company and its stakeholders
Work Style:
- Collaborative: Work closely with team members and stakeholders to achieve common goals
- Adaptable: Respond quickly and effectively to changing priorities and demands
- Strategic: Think critically and creatively to solve complex problems and drive business growth
- Results-driven: Focus on delivering high-quality outcomes and achieving measurable results
Self-Assessment Questions:
- Do you share Leidos' commitment to integrity and ethical business practices?
- Are you comfortable working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with changing priorities?
- Do you have a proven track record of developing and implementing successful communications strategies?
- Are you able to work collaboratively and effectively with a diverse range of stakeholders?
ASSUMPTION: Leidos values employees who align with their core values and work style, and applicants should consider how their personal values and work preferences fit with the company's culture.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing multiple priorities and competing demands from various stakeholders
- Balancing the need for strategic, long-term communications planning with the need for immediate, tactical responses to emerging issues and opportunities
- Navigating a large, complex organization with diverse communications needs and expectations
- Keeping up with the latest trends and best practices in communications and marketing, particularly in the rapidly evolving digital landscape
ASSUMPTION: These challenges are common to roles of this nature and can be effectively managed with strong leadership, strategic planning, and effective communication skills.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role is similar to other communications director positions, but with a focus on the Digital Modernization sector within Leidos
- Compared to other communications roles in the defense and aerospace industries, this position may require a deeper understanding of technical concepts and a greater emphasis on cybersecurity and intelligence-related communications
- Career progression in this role may lead to other senior communications or marketing leadership positions within Leidos or other organizations in the defense and aerospace industries
ASSUMPTION: While this role shares similarities with other communications director positions, its focus on the Digital Modernization sector and Leidos' unique business context make it a distinct opportunity.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and executing a comprehensive communications strategy to launch a new digital modernization service offering
- Managing a team to create and distribute engaging content for Leidos' social media channels, website, and other digital platforms
- Collaborating with the sector leadership team to create and deliver presentations, speeches, and other important internal and external-facing deliverables
- Overseeing the sector media strategy, including all press releases, response to media inquiries, and cultivating relationships with journalists and media outlets
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the breadth of responsibilities and the strategic, collaborative, and tactical nature of the role.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- How does this role fit into the overall communications and marketing strategy for Leidos and the Digital Modernization sector?
- What are the most pressing communications challenges facing the sector, and how can this role address them?
- How does Leidos support the professional development and growth of its communications and marketing team members?
- What are the key priorities for this role in the first 30, 60, and 90 days?
- How does Leidos measure the success of its communications and marketing efforts, and how can this role contribute to improving those metrics?
ASSUMPTION: Asking thoughtful, strategic questions demonstrates your interest in and understanding of the role and the organization.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
- Prepare for your interview by researching Leidos, the Digital Modernization sector, and the specific communications challenges facing the organization
- Follow up with the hiring manager or HR representative within one week of your interview to express your continued interest in the position
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
