📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Content Strategist and Planner
🔹 Company: Northrop Grumman
🔹 Location: Linthicum, MD (United States)
🔹 Job Type: Full-Time
🔹 Category: Marketing & Communications
🔹 Date Posted: May 15, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 10+ years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Developing and executing strategic communications plans
- Collaborating with internal teams and stakeholders
- Leading content planning efforts and supporting editorial planning
- Monitoring project progress and making adjustments as needed
- Bringing compelling narratives to life across multiple channels
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of organization, strong communication skills, and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Collaborate with internal teams to develop strategic plans, timelines, and milestones, and coordinate with stakeholders to ensure efficient execution
✅ Lead content planning efforts, including utilizing an integrated calendar to sync and recommend strategic plans
✅ Monitor project progress, track, and make adjustments as needed
✅ Work alongside communications strategists and storytellers to bring to life compelling narratives and omni-channel content plans
✅ Support editorial planning for the communications organization, deconflicting events and providing shared awareness of upcoming milestones
✅ Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure consistent messaging across all channels and initiatives
✅ Conduct research to understand target audiences and industry trends, develop recommended tactics from data
ASSUMPTION: This role involves a significant amount of stakeholder engagement, project management, and data-driven decision making.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university with a minimum of eight (8) years of experience successfully developing and deploying communications practices or a Master's degree from an accredited university with six (6) years of relevant experience.
Experience: Eight years of experience in communications practices or six years of relevant experience with a Master's degree.
Required Skills:
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, strong problem solving, organizational skills, and attention to detail
- Excellent project and team management skills
- Established track record of overseeing and/or architecting effective strategic communications plans, especially related to complex topics, with tangible results
- Experience tailoring strategic messages to a variety of audiences, particularly in translating one message for a diverse range of stakeholders
- Proven track record in experiential marketing and bespoke events to reach target audiences
- Ability to support and enhance strong communications standards, workflows, and branding guidelines while disseminating content across multiple mediums, including digital, print, and more
- Affinity for developing relationships with high level officials and/or industry leaders
- Demonstrated experience in program communications and/or marketing
- Demonstrated proficiency at consolidating and presenting data using measurement tools and software
- Proficient in Microsoft Office suite (Word, SharePoint, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams)
- Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Secret clearance
- US citizenship required
Preferred Skills:
- Experience using project management tools
ASSUMPTION: Given the role's focus on strategic communications, strong project management skills, and data analysis are crucial for success.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $108,400.00 - $162,600.00
Benefits:
- Health Insurance Coverage
- Life Insurance
- Disability Insurance
- Savings Plan
- Company Paid Holidays
- Paid Time Off
Working Hours: Full-time, typically 40 hours per week
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is a general guideline and may vary based on factors such as the candidate's experience, education, skills, and current market conditions.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Northrop Grumman is a leading global aerospace and defense technology company, specializing in innovative systems, products, and services for customers worldwide.
Company Size: Northrop Grumman has 2-10 employees at this location, with a total of 491 employees globally. This size allows for a more intimate work environment and closer collaboration among team members.
Founded: Northrop Grumman was founded in 1939 and has since grown into a prominent player in the aerospace and defense industry.
Company Description:
- Northrop Grumman Mission Systems, Inc. is a company based out of 12011 Sunset Hills Rd, Reston, Virginia, United States.
Company Specialties:
- Defense and aerospace systems
- Electronic systems
- Information systems
- Mission support and services
Company Website: Northrop Grumman
ASSUMPTION: Northrop Grumman's focus on defense and aerospace systems may require applicants to have a security clearance and be comfortable working in a sensitive environment.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: This role is at the senior level, requiring a significant amount of experience and expertise in communications and project management.
Reporting Structure: The Content Strategist and Planner reports to the Strategic Communications Manager and works closely with internal teams and stakeholders.
Work Arrangement: This is an on-site position, requiring the applicant to work from the company's Linthicum, MD office.
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential advancement to a managerial or leadership role within the communications department
- Expansion of responsibilities based on demonstrated skills and performance
- Opportunities to work on diverse and high-impact projects across various business sectors
ASSUMPTION: Given the company's size and focus, growth opportunities may be limited compared to larger organizations, but the role offers a chance to make a significant impact on the company's communications strategy.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Northrop Grumman's Linthicum, MD office is a professional and collaborative work environment, with a focus on innovation and teamwork.
Office Location(s): 12011 Sunset Hills Rd, Reston, VA 20190, US
Geographic Context:
- The Linthicum, MD office is located in the Baltimore-Washington metropolitan area, offering easy access to major cities and cultural attractions
- The area has a humid subtropical climate, with mild winters and hot, humid summers
- The cost of living in the Baltimore-Washington metropolitan area is relatively high compared to other regions in the United States
Work Schedule: The standard work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with flexibility based on project needs and team collaboration.
ASSUMPTION: Applicants should be comfortable working in an office environment and be prepared to commute to the Linthicum, MD office daily.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission
- Phone or video screening
- In-person or virtual interview with the hiring manager and/or team members
- Background check and security clearance process
- Job offer and onboarding
Key Assessment Areas:
- Communication skills and presentation abilities
- Project management and organizational skills
- Data analysis and strategic thinking
- Cultural fit and adaptability
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
- Prepare examples of your strategic communications plans and their outcomes
- Demonstrate your understanding of Northrop Grumman's mission and values in your application materials
ATS Keywords: strategic communications, content planning, project management, stakeholder engagement, data analysis, narrative development, marketing, team collaboration, research, presentation skills, problem solving, organizational skills, attention to detail, digital engagement, branding, event planning
ASSUMPTION: Northrop Grumman's application process may be more rigorous than other companies due to the sensitive nature of its work and the requirement for security clearances.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, SharePoint, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, Jira)
- Data analysis and visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI)
- Content management systems (e.g., WordPress, Drupal)
ASSUMPTION: Applicants should be comfortable using Microsoft Office Suite and other relevant tools for project management, data analysis, and content creation.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Integrity
- Performance with Purpose
- Can Do
- Innovation
- Act with Urgency
Work Style:
- Collaborative and team-oriented
- Focused on results and continuous improvement
- Adaptable and responsive to change
- Committed to ethical and responsible business practices
Self-Assessment Questions:
- Do you thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment?
- Are you comfortable working with diverse stakeholders and tailoring messages to different audiences?
- Do you have a proven track record of developing and executing strategic communications plans?
- Are you committed to continuous learning and professional development?
ASSUMPTION: Northrop Grumman values employees who are adaptable, results-driven, and committed to ethical business practices.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with multiple stakeholders and competing priorities
- Managing complex projects with tight deadlines and limited resources
- Navigating a large, complex organization with multiple business sectors
- Adapting to changes in priorities and project scope
ASSUMPTION: Applicants should be comfortable working in a challenging, high-pressure environment and be able to adapt to changes quickly.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Content Strategist vs. Content Manager: The Content Strategist role focuses more on developing and executing strategic communications plans, while the Content Manager role may involve more day-to-day content creation and management
- Industry-specific context: Northrop Grumman's focus on defense and aerospace systems may require applicants to have a security clearance and be comfortable working in a sensitive environment
- Career path comparison: This role can serve as a stepping stone to a managerial or leadership position within the communications department or provide an opportunity to work on diverse and high-impact projects across various business sectors
ASSUMPTION: Applicants should consider their career goals and personal preferences when comparing this role to similar positions in the industry.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and executing a strategic communications plan for a major product launch, including targeted messaging, event planning, and digital engagement
- Conducting research on target audiences and industry trends to inform communications strategy and tactics
- Collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure consistent messaging across all channels and initiatives for a major corporate rebranding effort
ASSUMPTION: Applicants should be prepared to provide specific examples of their strategic communications plans and their outcomes during the interview process.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the team structure and dynamics within the communications department?
- How does this role fit into the company's overall communications strategy, and what are the key priorities for the first 90 days?
- What are the most significant challenges facing the company's communications efforts, and how can this role help address them?
- How does Northrop Grumman support the professional development and growth of its employees?
- What is the company's approach to work-life balance, and how does this role fit into that philosophy?
ASSUMPTION: Applicants should ask thoughtful, informed questions that demonstrate their interest in the role and the company.
📌 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 examples of your strategic communications plans and their outcomes
- Demonstrate your understanding of Northrop Grumman's mission and values in your application materials
- Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application to express your interest in the role
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
