Principal Communications Specialist – National Security Space

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: No relocation assistance available

CLEARANCE TYPE: Top Secret

TRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the Time

Description

At Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work — and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible. Our employees are not only part of history, they're making history.

Embark on a career putting innovative, reliable, and agile products and ideas into orbit, and beyond. Northrop Grumman has opportunities waiting for you that play a vital role in human space exploration, national defense, and scientific discovery, supporting multiple programs across the universe. With us, you’ll discover a culture of curiosity and collaboration that will have you Defining Possible from the day you start. Our space systems connect and protect millions of people on earth every day, now and for the future. Explore your future and launch your career today.

Expand your horizons, advance your career, and contribute to a secure future for generations. Northrop Grumman's Space Sector invites you to bring your pioneering spirit to our inclusive team. As a Principal Communications Specialist - Level 3 (Principal), located in Dulles, VA you'll be a linchpin in missions of paramount importance, defining the art of the possible from day one. This position reports to the Tactical Space Systems Division Communications Manager and supports the national security space portfolio of the Tactical Space Systems Division (TSSD).

Are you interested in expanding your career through experience and exposure, all while supporting a mission that seeks to ensure the security of our nation and its allies? If so, then Northrop Grumman Space Sector is the place for you. With us, you’ll discover a culture of curiosity and collaboration that will have you Defining Possible from the day you start. Northrop Grumman is currently seeking a Principal Communications Specialist - Level 3 (Principal), to join our Space Sector team in Dulles, VA. Join the Space revolution and make the impossible, possible.

If your skillset includes strong creative and storytelling abilities, superior organizational, project management and time management skills, a borderline-fanatical attention to detail while keeping the big picture in mind, demonstrated success creating and executing both B2B and B2G marketing campaigns, and the ability to think and work quickly without sacrificing quality, you might be our ideal candidate.

If you have experience using all those skills while working with senior-level executives in the aerospace & defense industry and you geek out about all things space-related, you’ve already earned extra credit points.

In this job, you’ll:

• Join a broader team tasked with business, internal, crisis and executive communications, editorial and content generation, and public affairs.
• Provide communications support to the Satellite Missions and Space Security Systems business units within Northrop Grumman’s Tactical Space System Division
• Work with a cross-functional team to design and execute strategic, omni-channel marketing, brand awareness and communication campaigns that inform, influence and engage demographically and geographically diverse audiences (commercial and government), some of whom are difficult to reach.
• Develop and execute audience-specific content, campaigns, and programs, along with related materials for use by multiple external and internal stakeholders.
• Cultivate working relationships with senior executives, spokespersons, and technical experts with equal ease
• Plan and oversee advertising and public relations activities, including event planning and execution, in partnership with sector and corporate communications teams.
• Draft and review communications for effectiveness and consistency.
• Write, edit and lead the design of promotional and collateral materials, conference papers, social media posts, speeches, business proposals and case studies.
• Assist in the planning and execution of internal and external leadership communications activities.
• Provide detailed campaign performance reporting.
• Work with the sector and corporate communications, business development, and government relations teams to ensure all activities align with overall goals and strategies.

If this job description reads like it was written specifically for you, consider joining our team!

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree, preferably in Marketing, Communications, Business or related field and a minimum of 5 years of experience in corporate communications, marketing, and/or public relations OR- Master’s degree with a minimum of 3 years of experience
• At least 2 years of experience in the aerospace & defense or space industry
• Excellent verbal communication skills, strong judgement, problem solving and organizational skills, and superb attention to detail
• Strong writing and editing skills
• An active Top-Secret Department of Defense Security Clearance and/or Special Compartmented Information Access (SCI) upon application
• US Citizenship is a prerequisite

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with content performance measurement and analysis.

Your Unique Contribution:

• Are a seasoned corporate communications, marketing or PR professional who can identify a great story and tell it via multiple traditional and digital mediums.
• Have served as a strategic communications advisor to senior-level leaders, and you understand the demands that come with that level of engagement.
• Love brainstorming and an pitch outside-the-box tactics but you’re just as good at using traditional communications tactics to accomplish the goals your internal customers set.
• Understand how to create short- and long-term communications campaign plans that are content-driven, targeted and measurable.
• Are creative, tech-savvy, and fascinated by the latest communications tools and technologies.
• Are familiar with and comfortable creating campaign plans that use all modern communications channels, both traditional and non-traditional.
• Are experienced with digital and social media, and you have a deep understanding of how to communicate via digital channels.
• Have excellent writing and presentation skills, and you’re passionate about telling compelling stories with words, photos, videos, podcasts and graphics.
• Live by prioritization and organization.
• Are positive, poised and approachable, able to work independently and in partnership with senior executives/employees, and confident in offering communications counsel to business partners.
• Thrive in fast-paced, action-oriented environments and can juggle multiple projects simultaneously, reprioritize quickly and meet deadlines.
• Have a demonstrated understanding of communications and global topics, priorities and trends.
• Are a little bit (or a lot bit) of a nerd, and you love all things related to space exploration and science.
• Know how to translate engineering “geek speak” into compelling stories that showcase the amazing work we do.
• You use discretion with customer-sensitive mission information

This position’s standard work schedule is a 9/80. The 9/80 schedule allows employees who work a nine-hour day Monday through Thursday to take every other Friday off. This is a primarily on-site position located in Dulles, VA. 100% telework option is not available.

About Communications: Strategic messaging, planning, implementation and evaluation of sector-wide external, employee and executive communications, and marketing content to enhance the understanding of company strategies, priorities and goals, and engagement and inclusion.

https://www.northropgrumman.com/space

Salary Range: $91,200.00 - $136,800.00

The above salary range represents a general guideline; however, Northrop Grumman considers a number of factors when determining base salary offers such as the scope and responsibilities of the position and the candidate's experience, education, skills and current market conditions.

Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay. Annual bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results. Employees in Vice President or Director positions may be eligible for Long Term Incentives. In addition, Northrop Grumman provides a variety of benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, Company paid holidays and paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business.

The application period for the job is estimated to be 20 days from the job posting date. However, this timeline may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates.

Northrop Grumman is an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. For our complete EEO and pay transparency statement, please visit http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.