Manager of Strategic Communications

Peraton; Herndon (VA); On-site; USD 112,000 - 179,000; Full time

Job summary

Peraton is seeking a Senior Strategic Communications leader for the BNATCS program, based on-site in Herndon, VA. The role develops and executes an integrated communications strategy, connects narrative and stakeholder intelligence, and guides risk anticipation across FAA stakeholders and partners.

The position requires 12+ years in communications or public affairs, with expertise in media relations, executive communications, and crisis management to ensure proactive, high-visibility messaging

Qualifications

• 12+ years of professional experience in communications or public affairs.
• Experience developing messaging for public consumption aligned with customer-approved messaging.
• Expertise in media relations, executive communications, crisis management, and stakeholder engagement.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain an integrated communications roadmap aligned to program, policy, stakeholder dynamics and reputational objectives.
• Define program narrative architecture, proof points, and themes aligned to BNATCS modernization objectives.
• Ensure consistent messaging across internal and external channels, including speeches, executive communications, and thought leadership pieces.
• Serve as connective tissue across National Aerospace leadership, FAA program leadership, Government Relations and Corporate Communications.
• Provide early visibility into program developments and stakeholder perspectives to influence communications proactively.
• Clarify FAA messaging boundaries and coordinate what Peraton can say about its role and status.
• Support change management efforts through coordinated messaging that articulates modernization value.
• Develop approaches to address resistance or misunderstanding.
• Advise on escalation protocols, spokesperson identification, and rapid-response materials.
• Prepare executives for speeches, panels, conferences, and external forums; monitor media and external messaging.

Skills

Strategic communications

Media relations

Crisis management

Stakeholder engagement

Executive communications

Public affairs

Job description

Responsibilities

Peraton serves as the prime integrator for modernization of the nation’s air traffic control system - a complex, highly visible federal transformation involving technology, safety, workforce change, public confidence, and congressional oversight. This role provides senior strategic communications leadership dedicated specifically to the BNATCS program, ensuring Peraton can shape perception, anticipate risks, and communicate effectively across FAA stakeholders, media, policymakers, and the aviation community.

The Manager of Strategic Communications performs as part of the Stakeholder Engagement Team to develop and execute an integrated communications strategy that strengthens Peraton’s reputation, aligns internal and external messaging, supports FAA workforce change, and prepares the organization for high-visibility moments. This role functions as the program’s communications engine - connecting narrative, stakeholder intelligence, risk anticipation, media engagement, issue management, and executive visibility.

Work Location: This position is 100% on-site located in Herndon, VA.

Why this Role Matters: The BNATCS program’s scale, visibility, and complexity demand a proactive communications function capable of shaping perception, anticipating issues, and supporting FAA modernization. This role ensures Peraton is prepared, credible, aligned, and positioned to tell its story - and to support one of the nation’s most consequential infrastructure transformations.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Communications Leadership & Narrative Development

• Establish and maintain an integrated communications roadmap connected to program, policy, stakeholder dynamics and reputational objectives.
• Define program narrative architecture, proof points, and themes aligned to BNATCS Modernization objectives.
• Ensure consistent messaging across internal and external channels, including speeches, executive communications, and thought leadership pieces.

Program Integration & Stakeholder Alignment

• Serve as connective tissue across National Aerospace leadership, FAA program leadership, Government Relations, Organizational Effectiveness, Corporate Communications, and Workstream teams.
• Ensure early visibility into program developments and stakeholder perspectives to influence communications proactively rather than reactively.
• Clarify FAA messaging boundaries and coordinate what Peraton can say about its role and program status.

Transformation Communications

• Support change management efforts through coordinated messaging that addresses concerns, articulates modernization value, and reinforces alignment with mission, processes, and operational changes.
• Develop communication approaches to address identified areas of resistance or misunderstanding.

Issue & Crisis Readiness-in coordination with Peraton Corporate Communications:

• Advise on the development of escalation protocols, spokesperson identification, foundational response materials, and rapid-response capability.
• Guide the preparation of communications decision-making frameworks.

External Engagement & Media Monitoring-in coordination with Peraton Corporate Communications:

• Prepare executives and SMEs for speeches, panels, conferences, and external forums, aligning engagements to program milestones and stakeholder value.
• Actively monitor media and external community messaging.
• Map priority reporters and outlets across national, aviation, government, and trade media.
• Advise on the responses to inbound media inquiries and secure interviews for executives and government partners when appropriate.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications:

• U.S. Citizenship Required
• Must have the ability to obtain / maintain a Public Trust clearance
• 12+ years of professional experience in communications, strategic communications, public affairs, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with both technical and non-technical audiences under tight deadlines.
• Experience developing messaging for public consumption aligned with customer-approved messaging.
• Expertise in media relations, executive communications, crisis management, and stakeholder engagement.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience supporting FAA, DOT, or other Aviation programs, particularly within mission-critical environments.
• Familiarity with FAA communication protocols.
• Experience supporting communications for aviation, transportation, technology modernization, infrastructure, cybersecurity, or other complex technical programs.
• Experience developing and executing strategic communications plans for complex, large-scale federal programs.
• Strong experience with stakeholder engagement and management.
• Experience translating complex technical, operational, or program information into clear and compelling messaging for non-technical audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to manage high-visibility and time-sensitive communications while maintaining accuracy, consistency, and appropriate approval processes.
• Exceptional writing, editing, proofreading, and presentation skills, with strong attention to detail.

#BNATCS

Peraton Overview

Peraton is a next-generation national security company that drives missions of consequence spanning the globe and extending to the farthest reaches of the galaxy. As the world’s leading mission capability integrator and transformative enterprise IT provider, we deliver trusted, highly differentiated solutions and technologies to protect our nation and allies. Peraton operates at the critical nexus between traditional and nontraditional threats across all domains: land, sea, space, air, and cyberspace. The company serves as a valued partner to essential government agencies and supports every branch of the U.S. armed forces. Each day, our employees do the can't be done by solving the most daunting challenges facing our customers. Visit peraton.com to learn how we’re keeping people around the world safe and secure.

Target Salary Range

$112,000 - $179,000. This represents the typical salary range for this position. Salary is determined by various factors, including but not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the position, the individual’s experience, education, knowledge, skills, and competencies, as well as geographic location and business and contract considerations. Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay.

EEO

EEO: Equal opportunity employer, including disability and protected veterans, or other characteristics protected by law.