Communications and Outreach Manager

Description

Are you excited about disruptive technologies in transportation? Do you want to work on a dynamic team focused on helping customers and partners develop and deploy groundbreaking digital infrastructure and automated vehicle tech? If you are ready to craft creative stories, generate communications strategy, leverage data, and reap the benefits of growing with us, read on.

Leidos is hiring a Communications Manager in McLean, Virginia, to lead communications strategy and implementation plans for emerging transportation technologies research. The successful candidate will lead an onsite team of communications professionals at Saxton Lab with direct interactions with the client, research projects, and technologies to enable the most efficient and innovative outreach solutions. The role will be a key part of the Saxton Transportation Operations Laboratory (STOL) team supporting the communications and outreach needs associated with the Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA’s) cutting-edge research at the Turner Fairbank Highway Research Center (TFHRC).

Primary Responsibilities:

As Communications Manager for the STOL, you will be responsible for, but not limited to:

• Develop communications and outreach strategies and plans for cutting-edge projects and programs at the STOL.
• Monitor scope, schedule, budget, staffing level, subcontractors, client and team communications, and product quality for communications projects.
• Manage communications workstreams and teams from initial meeting and concept through development, review, editing, production, distribution, and evaluation.
• Manage, mentor, and coach a small team of communications professionals.
• Advance the team’s communication methodologies of promotion and engagement.
• Manage client relationships and serve as the official Communications function at internal and external meetings.
• Conduct quality management reviews on a wide range of materials for several communications channels, including multimedia, print, digital, and web.
• Proofread/edit communications deliverables such as presentations, emails, video scripts, social media posts, web content, posters, fact sheets, reports, and other materials.
• Support business development activities through written proposals and client relationship development, including compelling approaches and content, executing communications projects, and developing project budgets.
• Develop, monitor, and adjust key metrics to optimize communications activities and campaigns, including competing tasks.
• Identify and advise on creative communications solutions that deliver on strategic goals.

This role may require occasional travel to industry conferences and project sites within the U.S. to sponsor outreach and testing activities.
 

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree with 8+ years of professional experience in marketing and/or communications, or a Master’s degree with 6+ years of professional experience in a related field.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Public Trust clearance.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communications skills.
• Experience leading communications strategy, planning, and campaigns.
• Experience supervising and managing a team of communications specialists.
• Strong understanding of branding and integrated marketing best practices to implement a cohesive vision across several projects.
• Comprehension of the interests and behaviors of multiple audiences and the ability to develop exciting and innovative content that inspires.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and cross-functionally–on any given day, you will work with technical teams, proposal teams, our portfolio’s leads, and our clients.
• Strong strategic planning and time management skills.
• Demonstrated experience with writing and content development for a variety of communications media, platforms, and publications, with an established portfolio of authored and published communications assets.
• Background with the planning and execution of in-person and virtual events.
• Working knowledge with metrics development, tracking, visualization, and reporting.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office tools/programs, especially Teams, SharePoint, Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines across multiple communications and outreach projects simultaneously, prioritizing demands on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis.
   

Desired Qualifications:

• Holds Project Management Professional (PMP) qualification or interest in earning it
• Prior involvement working with federal, state, or local government clients.
• Background in the surface transportation sector.
• Desire to learn about Intelligent Transportation System technologies and improve transportation.
• Demonstrated ability to employ research and analytical thinking.
• Familiar with web conferencing tools and platforms.
• Working knowledge with technical writing and following different communication style guides.
• Skilled at cultivating and managing relationships.
• Demonstrated initiative and resourcefulness.
• Intellectual curiosity and dedication to master vast and complex subjects.

Learn about STOL here: https://highways.dot.gov/research/laboratories/saxton-transportation-operations-laboratory/saxton-transportation-operations-laboratory-overview 

Pay Range:

The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.

About Leidos

Leidos is a Fortune 500® technology, engineering, and science solutions and services leader working to solve the world’s toughest challenges in the defense, intelligence, civil, and health markets. The company’s 45,000 employees support vital missions for government and commercial customers. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, Leidos reported annual revenues of approximately $14.4 billion for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2022.  For more information, visit www.Leidos.com.

Pay and Benefits

Pay and benefits are fundamental to any career decision. That's why we craft compensation packages that reflect the importance of the work we do for our customers. Employment benefits include competitive compensation, Health and Wellness programs, Income Protection, Paid Leave and Retirement. More details are available here.

Securing Your Data

Beware of fake employment opportunities using Leidos’ name. Leidos will never ask you to provide payment-related information during any part of the employment application process (i.e., ask you for money), nor will Leidos ever advance money as part of the hiring process (i.e., send you a check or money order before doing any work). Further, Leidos will only communicate with you through emails that are generated by the Leidos.com automated system – never from free commercial services (e.g., Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail) or via WhatsApp, Telegram, etc. If you received an email purporting to be from Leidos that asks for payment-related information or any other personal information (e.g., about you or your previous employer), and you are concerned about its legitimacy, please make us aware immediately by emailing us at [email protected].

If you believe you are the victim of a scam, contact your local law enforcement and report the incident to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission.

Commitment to Diversity

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, ethnicity, age, national origin, citizenship, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, family structure, marital status, ancestry, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law. Leidos will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with relevant laws.