Job DescriptionThe Vice President, Employee & Executive Communications will be a strategic, highly engaged leader responsible for shaping how BAE Systems, Inc. connects its employees and leaders to the company's mission, strategy and priorities.
Reporting to the Senior Vice President, Communications, this leader will serve as a trusted advisor to the senior leadership team, lead enterprise employee and executive communications, and partner closely across the broader Communications function and enterprise to deliver a clear, consistent and compelling company narrative. The ideal candidate brings exceptional executive communications expertise, strong business judgment and a hands-on leadership style and is someone who can set strategy and lead a high-performing team while remaining close to the work and personally driving critical communications when needed.
The role is based at BAE Systems, Inc. headquarters in Falls Church, VA and requires onsite presence with approximately 25% travel.
Key Responsibilities: - Serve as a trusted communcations advisor to the senior leadership team, translating business strategy, priorities and culture into compelling communications.
- Lead the strategy, planning and execution of employee and executive communications.
- Own the enterprise employee communications strategy, connecting employees to the company's mission, strategy, performance, culture and priorities.
- Demonstrate a hands-on leadership style, balancing strategic direction and team leadership with direct engagement and ownership of high-priority communications, including organizational change, business transformation, leadership transitions and sensitive issues.
- Lead and develop a high-performing employee and executive communications team that serves as a trusted strategic business partner across the enterprise, bringing communications expertise, sound counsel and strategic perspective to business leaders and enabling them to achieve their objectives.
- Foster a culture of collaboration, transparency and accountability that sets a high bar for quality, impact and performance.
- Partner with the SVP, Communications and broader Communications function to deliver a cohesive enterprise narrative.
- Partner closely with HR, IT, Legal, Finance, Supply Chain and other functions to ensure alignment and consistency.
- Ensure robust content development, editorial planning, and digital channel management across intranet, email, video, and emerging platforms.
- Use employee insights, engagement data and communications analytics to measure impact and continously improve communications effectiveness.
- Anticipate emerging issues and advise the SVP, Communications on communications implications, risks and opportunities.
Required Skills and Education- Bachelor's degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Marketing, Political Science or related field, OR an equivalent combination of relevant education and experience.
- Minimum 15 years of progressive communications experience with large, matrixed organizations in highly-regulated, complex industries.
- Demonstrated success leading enterprise-wide communications strategies and high-performing teams.
- Strong business acumen, strategic thinking and ability to influence at all levels.
- Proven experience advising C-suite executives.
- Expertise in crisis communications, change communications and organizational transformation support.
- Deep experience in content strategy, editorial planning and channel optimization.
- Exceptional writing, storytelling and presentation skills, with the ability to simplify complex technical and business topics.
Preferred Skills and Education- Master's degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Marketing or related field.
- Understanding of the aerospace and defense industry, including its customer landscape and regulatory environment.
- Experience managing communications for a geographically dispersed, global workforce.
- Experience using data and insights to optimize communications strategies.
