Senior Public Affairs Officer

# Job Description

## Description

SAIC® is a premier Fortune 500® mission integrator focused on advancing the power of technology and innovation to serve and protect our world. Our robust portfolio of offerings across the defense, space, civilian, and intelligence markets includes secure high-end solutions in mission IT, enterprise IT, engineering services, and professional services. We integrate emerging technology, rapidly and securely, into mission‑critical operations that modernize and enable national imperatives.

We are seeking a highly motivated **Senior Public Affairs Officer** responsible for developing, managing, and executing the agency’s comprehensive communication and public relations strategies. This individual will serve as an advisor to senior leadership on all matters concerning public affairs. They will direct and produce a broad portfolio of responsibilities, including news and media relations, executive communications, internal and external engagements, and community and academic outreach to advance the agency’s mission and enhance its public standing.

Work will be performed at the customer site in **Springfield, VA**.

The hiring of this position is contingent upon contract award. Anticipated award is fall of 2026.

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## Responsibilities

### Strategic Communications
– Develop and implement long-term strategic communication plans aligned with the agency’s goals.
– Provide expert counsel to senior leadership on communication strategies, messaging, and public positioning.
– Lead the development and execution of internal and external communication campaigns.

### News and Media Relations
– Oversee the creation of press releases, media advisories, media prep, responses to media inquiries, and other materials.
– Direct the content strategy and management of the agency’s public website and social media channels, including metrics and measurement.
– Develop, execute, and publish a high volume of public affairs deliverables written in AP Style with minimal errors. Products include articles, newsletters, social media content, podcast productions, photojournalism, website content, communication plans, video concepts, video scripts, and daily news clips.
– Provide support for government agency communicators meetings, including content preparation and day‑of support.

### Community and Academic Outreach
– Support community and academic outreach, conference planning, and engagements by developing budgets, strategic outreach plans, communication plans, and materials for industry, academia, leadership, and DoD/IC stakeholders.
– Prepare event‑specific presentations, briefing books, slick sheets, brochures, handouts, and agendas.
– Plan, coordinate, and execute high‑level external events and campaigns, including GEOINT Symposium, Esri Conference, and other engagements.
– Manage visit dry runs, read‑ahead materials, prep packages, placemats, presentations, and briefing materials.
– Support the agency’s distinguished speaker program and track/manage external speaking engagements for personnel (non‑EXCOM).

### Executive Communications
– Serve as a speechwriter for senior leadership, preparing remarks for public and private events.
– Prepare remarks, emails, and other digital products for senior leadership.

### Internal Collaboration & Oversight
– Provide copy editing and quality assurance for public affairs products.
– Support monthly government agency communicators meetings.
– Offer expert recommendations on emerging communication trends.
– Assist with tracking and maintaining media and public affairs logs.

### Engagements
– Support high‑level military and civilian, foreign and domestic visits, ceremonies, and special events hosted by leadership.
– Prepare visit‑specific presentations, briefing books, slick sheets, and agendas.
– Manage visit dry runs, read‑ahead materials, prep packages, placemats, presentations, and briefing materials.
– Track and manage internal and external engagements for senior leadership, including schedules, agendas, and planning materials.
– Provide formal and informal briefings for visiting groups and individuals, including museum tours.

### Geospatial Intelligence Hall of Fame Program Support
– Publicize the call for nominations on internal and external platforms.
– Process and consolidate nomination packages.
– Submit a slate of candidates to the Hall of Fame Selection Board.
– Review potential inductees and coordinate IG review.
– Serve as Secretary to the Hall of Fame Selection Board.

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## Qualifications

### Required Qualifications
– **Active TS/SCI is REQUIRED.**
– Willing and able to obtain a Polygraph.

### Education
– Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations, Public Affairs, Journalism, or a related field.
– In lieu of a bachelor’s degree: 8+ years of direct public affairs or journalism experience.
– Formal DoD public affairs training (Defense Information School coursework) preferred.

### Experience
– Minimum of 10 years of demonstrated experience in public affairs or journalism, including leadership roles managing complex communication initiatives and advising senior executives.
– Proven ability to develop and execute sophisticated, multi‑faceted strategic communication plans.
– Extensive experience and demonstrated success in public affairs or journalism.
– Exceptional writing, editing, and verbal communication skills, with a strong track record in speechwriting.
– Demonstrated ability to lead effectively during high‑pressure crisis situations.

### Competencies
– **Strategic Thinking:** Ability to develop and execute multi‑faceted communication plans aligned with organizational objectives.
– **Communication Proficiency:** Exceptional writing, editing, and verbal communication skills with a portfolio demonstrating high‑quality speechwriting, press releases, and strategic messaging.
– **Stakeholder Relations:** Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build and maintain relationships with diverse stakeholders.
– **Digital Fluency:** Strong understanding of digital and social media platforms for strategic engagement and reputation management.

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## Overview

SAIC accepts applications on an ongoing basis and there is no deadline.

SAIC is a premier Fortune 500 mission integrator focused on advancing the power of technology and innovation to serve and protect our world. Our robust portfolio spans defense, space, civilian, and intelligence markets, offering secure high‑end solutions in mission IT, enterprise IT, engineering services, and professional services. We integrate emerging technology rapidly and securely into mission‑critical operations that modernize and enable national imperatives.

We are approximately 24,000 strong—driven by mission, united by purpose, and inspired by opportunity. SAIC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, SAIC has annual revenues of approximately $7.5 billion. For more information, visit saic.com. For ongoing news, please visit our newsroom.

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