📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Senior Brand Strategist
🔹 Company: Northrop Grumman
🔹 Location: Falls Church, VA (with option for Linthicum, MD)
🔹 Job Type: On-site, Full-time
🔹 Category: Marketing & Communications
🔹 Date Posted: May 28, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 8+ years (or Master's degree with 6 years)
🔹 Remote Status: Not remote
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Developing and managing Northrop Grumman's brand strategy
- Collaborating with cross-functional teams to activate communications
- Defining and refining brand architecture and naming strategy
- Measuring and reporting on communications performance
- Staying updated on industry trends and competitor activity
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic mindset, excellent communication skills, and the ability to work effectively with diverse teams.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Develop and maintain Northrop Grumman’s brand strategy, including brand architecture, naming, and messaging
✅ Partner with communications leadership to drive performance, reputation, and engagement for key focus areas
✅ Define and manage the brand story and strategy of Northrop Grumman’s offerings
✅ Collaborate with project teams to develop and implement campaign-specific strategy
✅ Foster a culture of data-driven decision-making by promoting the use of insights
✅ Maintain line of sight to macro and micro market factors and competitor activity
ASSUMPTION: This role involves a high degree of collaboration, strategic thinking, and attention to detail.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (e.g., Business, Communications, Marketing) with 8 years of experience, or Master's degree with 6 years
Experience: 8+ years (or Master's degree with 6 years) of related experience in brand strategy, brand management, marketing, or brand communications
Required Skills:
- Strong understanding of brand architecture, creative strategy, naming, and messaging
- Experience in executing both internal and external strategic communications or brand campaigns
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to multi-task and prioritize competing demands in a fast-paced environment
- Able to collaborate across all levels of the organization
- Knitting together disparate sources of information into a strong strategic narrative
Preferred Skills:
- Experience working at a brand or advertising agency
- Experience working in a large, matrixed, and/or geographically dispersed organization
- Experience working for or with military, defense, aerospace, or technology companies
- Ability to contribute to the completion of organizational projects and goals with minimal supervision
ASSUMPTION: While a Master's degree is preferred, relevant experience can substitute for education in this role.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $108,400.00 - $162,600.00 (based on experience and qualifications)
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 an estimate and may vary based on the candidate's qualifications and experience.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Northrop Grumman operates in the defense and aerospace industry, focusing on developing and producing advanced technologies for the military and civilian sectors.
Company Size: Northrop Grumman is a large, global corporation with over 90,000 employees worldwide. This role is within the Mission Systems sector, which has around 25,000 employees.
Founded: Northrop Grumman was founded in 1994 through the merger of Northrop Corporation and Grumman Aerospace.
Company Description:
- Northrop Grumman is a leading global security company providing innovative systems, products, and solutions in autonomous systems, cyber, C4ISR, and space and strike.
- The company supports customers' missions with unrivaled expertise, advanced technologies, and distinctive capabilities.
- Northrop Grumman is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace and is an equal opportunity employer.
Company Specialties:
- Autonomous Systems
- Cyber
- C4ISR (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance)
- Space and Strike
Company Website: Northrop Grumman
ASSUMPTION: Northrop Grumman's size and global presence offer opportunities for career growth and diverse project exposure.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: This role is at the senior level, requiring significant experience and expertise in brand strategy.
Reporting Structure: The Senior Brand Strategist reports to the Manager of Brand Strategy and Advertising.
Work Arrangement: This is an on-site position, with the option to work in Falls Church, VA, or Linthicum, MD.
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential to lead brand strategy for new products or acquisitions
- Opportunities to mentor junior team members and contribute to their professional development
- Possibility to take on additional responsibilities or move into a management role as the company and team grow
ASSUMPTION: This role offers opportunities for professional growth and development within a large, established organization.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Northrop Grumman's offices are modern, collaborative workspaces with a mix of open and private work areas.
Office Location(s): Falls Church, VA (preferred), or Linthicum, MD
Geographic Context:
- Falls Church, VA is located in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, offering a mix of urban and suburban living with easy access to cultural attractions, restaurants, and outdoor recreation.
- Linthicum, MD is located near Baltimore, MD, offering a mix of urban and suburban living with access to cultural attractions, restaurants, and outdoor recreation.
Work Schedule: The work schedule is typically Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with flexibility for occasional overtime or working from home as needed.
ASSUMPTION: The work environment at Northrop Grumman is collaborative, with a focus on teamwork and innovation.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application and resume screening
- Phone or video screen with the hiring manager
- In-person or virtual interview with the hiring manager and potential team members
- Final interview with the director or vice president
Key Assessment Areas:
- Brand strategy and management skills
- Communication and presentation skills
- Problem-solving and analytical skills
- Cultural fit and alignment with Northrop Grumman's values
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your brand strategy experience and accomplishments
- Prepare examples of your brand strategy work and be ready to discuss them in the interview
- Research Northrop Grumman's brand and be prepared to discuss how you would enhance it
ATS Keywords: Brand strategy, brand management, marketing, brand communications, creative strategy, messaging, campaign development, market analysis, innovation, stakeholder engagement
ASSUMPTION: Northrop Grumman's interview process is thorough and designed to assess the candidate's skills, experience, and cultural fit.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel)
- Brand management software (e.g., Brandfolder, Frontify, Brand24)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, Jira)
- Data analysis tools (e.g., Google Analytics, Tableau, Power BI)
ASSUMPTION: The tools and technologies required for this role are standard for brand strategy and communications professionals.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Solutions with Customers
- Performance with Integrity
- People-Focused
- Innovation
- Agility
Work Style:
- Collaborative and team-oriented
- Results-driven and focused on delivering value to customers
- Adaptable and open to change
- Innovative and creative problem-solver
Self-Assessment Questions:
- Do you thrive in a collaborative, team-oriented environment?
- Are you results-driven and focused on delivering value to customers?
- Are you adaptable and open to change?
- Are you an innovative and creative problem-solver?
ASSUMPTION: Northrop Grumman values a diverse and inclusive workplace and seeks candidates who align with their core values.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Working in a large, matrixed organization can present complex communication and collaboration challenges
- Balancing multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment can be demanding
- Occasional travel may be required for this role
- Northrop Grumman's defense and aerospace focus may require security clearances or specific certifications
ASSUMPTION: These challenges can be mitigated with strong communication, time management, and organizational skills.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Compared to other brand strategy roles, this position offers the opportunity to work on high-profile, cutting-edge defense and aerospace technologies
- Northrop Grumman's size and global presence provide opportunities for career growth and diverse project exposure
- This role may have a more structured reporting hierarchy and formal processes compared to smaller organizations
ASSUMPTION: This role offers unique opportunities and challenges compared to similar roles in other industries or company sizes.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and implementing a comprehensive brand strategy for a new product line
- Conducting market research and competitive analysis to inform brand positioning
- Collaborating with cross-functional teams to create and execute integrated marketing campaigns
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the range of responsibilities and initiatives a Senior Brand Strategist at Northrop Grumman might undertake.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- What are the key priorities for this role in the first 30, 60, and 90 days?
- How does this role fit into the overall brand strategy and communications organization?
- What are the most significant challenges facing the brand team currently, and how can this role address them?
- What opportunities are there for professional growth and development within the brand team and Northrop Grumman?
- How does Northrop Grumman support work-life balance for its employees?
ASSUMPTION: These questions demonstrate your interest in the role, the company, and your long-term career growth.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your brand strategy experience and accomplishments
- Prepare examples of your brand strategy work and be ready to discuss them in the interview
- Research Northrop Grumman's brand and be prepared to discuss how you would enhance it
- Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application to express your interest and reiterate your qualifications
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
