Senior Communications Manager, Defense Agencies IT

Description

Leidos is seeking a seasoned communications leader to oversee all communications activities for the DoD Defense Agencies IT Business Area, including strategic program communications support for the Defense Enclave Services (DES) and Global Solutions Management - Operations (GSMO) II contracts.

Reporting to the Digital Modernization Communications VP and accountable to senior business leadership, this individual will develop and execute integrated communications strategies that elevate program visibility, strengthen customer relationships, support employee engagement, and ensure alignment with enterprise brand and messaging standards.

This is an experienced, hands-on leadership role responsible for shaping and delivering comprehensive internal and external communications and marketing in support of complex, mission-critical Department of War IT operations. The successful candidate will bring exceptional writing skills, strong executive presence, sound judgment, and the ability to operate effectively in a highly regulated and customer-facing environment.

The ideal candidate will reside in the Washington, D.C. metro area and work from Leidos' Global Headquarters in Reston, VA, with flexibility for occasional remote work. Travel may be required.

Primary Responsibilities

Integrated Communications Strategy

• Develop and implement comprehensive communications strategies supporting the business area and DES and GSMO II programs.
• Align communications efforts with program objectives, customer priorities, and enterprise messaging frameworks.
• Ensure consistent, credible positioning of Leidos' performance and mission impact across all channels.
• Develop and deploy communications across multiple mediums and channels, including internal and external digital tools, video, social, marketing tools, etc.

Customer-Facing Communications

• Serve as the communications interface with DISA and other government stakeholders on joint communications initiatives.
• Develop customer-facing communications to support program milestones, performance updates, and after-action initiatives.
• Engage directly with senior-level government customers to coordinate messaging and ensure alignment.

Executive & Leadership Communications

• Provide strategic communications counsel to senior business and program leaders.
• Ghostwrite executive communications and strategic thought-leadership content, capturing authentic voice and style.
• Develop leader messaging, presentations, speeches, and talking points for internal and external engagements.

Internal Communications & Employee Engagement

• Lead employee engagement and organizational change communications initiatives across the Business Area.
• Plan and execute regular town halls and leadership forums.
• Develop and publish content for both program-specific and broader Leidos audiences.
• Ensure employees remain informed, aligned, and connected to mission objectives.

Digital & Social Media

• Lead social media content strategy and campaigns for the business area in alignment with corporate standards.
• Leverage digital platforms to reinforce customer confidence and employee engagement.

Events & Program Support

• Provide communications planning and execution support for virtual and in-person meetings, trade shows, events, and major initiatives.
• Facilitate outreach campaigns and stakeholder engagement activities.

Media Relations, Issues Management & Reporting

• Develop media relations strategies to support Business Area contract wins, program successes and external storytelling efforts.
• Provide communications support for sensitive or high-visibility issues in coordination with corporate teams.
• Deliver timely, accurate responses to communications and reporting requests from both Leidos leadership and government customers.
• Measure and report on all communications effectiveness to demonstrate impact and inform future strategies.

Enterprise Alignment

• Maintain strong coordination with Sector team and Corporate Communications and Marketing teams to ensure brand consistency and integration.
• Identify opportunities to integrate Business Area initiatives into broader enterprise communications efforts.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Marketing, English, Political Science, or related field. Additional years of experience will be considered in lieu of degree requirements.
• 12+ years of progressive experience in communications, marketing, media relations, or related disciplines.
• U.S. Citizenship with the ability to obtain a DoD Secret security clearance.
• Demonstrated success developing and executing proactive communications strategies in large, complex organizations or government environments.
• Prior experience communicating directly with government customers at multiple levels.
• Exceptional writing and editing skills, with mastery of AP style.
• Strong understanding of information technology concepts and the ability to translate technical material into accessible narratives.
• Experience advising senior leaders and operating as a trusted communications counselor.
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities under tight deadlines.
• Strong presentation and public speaking skills.
• Demonstrated experience leveraging digital and social media platforms.
• Knowledge of federal contracting, IT services, digital modernization, and government affairs.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and collaboration platforms.

Preferred Qualifications

• Active DoD Secret security clearance.
• Prior experience supporting DoD or federal IT modernization programs.
• Experience working within government contracting or IT solution provider environments.
• Familiarity with UX fundamentals or digital experience best practices.
• Experience using collaborative workflow and content management platforms.

Why This Role Is Critical

This position supports some of the Department of Defense's most mission-critical IT infrastructure programs, including network optimization and secure global operations serving millions of users worldwide. The Senior Communications Manager plays a vital role in ensuring clear, consistent, and strategic communication with government customers, employees, and enterprise stakeholders.

If you're looking for comfort, keep scrolling. At Leidos, we outthink, outbuild, and outpace the status quo - because the mission demands it. We're not hiring followers. We're recruiting the ones who disrupt, provoke, and refuse to fail. Step 10 is ancient history. We're already at step 30 - and moving faster than anyone else dares.

For U.S. Positions: While subject to change based on business needs, Leidos reasonably anticipates that this job requisition will remain open for at least 3 days with an anticipated close date of no earlier than 3 days after the original posting date as listed above.

The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline onlyand 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 an industry and technology leader serving government and commercial customers with smarter, more efficient digital and mission innovations. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, with 47,000 global employees, Leidos reported annual revenues of approximately $16.7 billion for the fiscal year ended January 3, 2025. 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 at www.leidos.com/careers/pay-benefits.

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 LeidosCareersFraud@leidos.com.

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 Non-Discrimination

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.