VP, Public Affairs and Communications

Vice President of Public Affairs and Strategic Communications

Amentum seeks a Vice President of Public Affairs and Strategic Communications.

Amentum is a global leader in advanced engineering and innovative technology solutions, trusted by the United States and its allies to address their most significant and complex challenges in science, security, and sustainability. Headquartered in Virginia, we have more than 53,000 employees in approximately 80 countries across all 7 continents.

Amentum is looking for a strategic, dynamic Vice President of Public Affairs and Strategic Communications to strengthen the company’s reputation. This senior leader will oversee the company’s external communications for a newly listed, publicly traded company that provides solutions to the world’s most challenging challenges and opportunities. Through compelling storytelling, collaborative engagement, and creative approaches, this leader will ensure we elevate Amentum’s reputation across all stakeholders, establish awareness and credibility, and build our brand in new growth markets.

This key role will partner with the executive leadership team, collaborate with external industry associations, and manage the global Public Affairs team and agencies to ensure PR, digital, and other external-facing communications initiatives are executed successfully and in alignment with the strategy. This role reports to the Chief Marketing and Communications Officer. This is a HYBRID role and when on-site, you will report to our Herndon, VA Amentum office. You must be a US Citizen to apply.

Key Responsibilities

PR Strategy & Messaging

• Create and manage a comprehensive, global PR strategy aligned with the company’s mission and goals to enhance corporate visibility and reputation.
• Create and implement external communications strategies to promote Amentum through owned, paid, and earned traditional and digital/social media channels.
• Partner with CEO and senior leaders to develop and tell a clear, compelling, and high-impact corporate story that will enable Amentum to stand out in our competitive market.
• Define key performance indicators (KPIs) for all PR activities.

Reputation Management

• Strengthen relationships with external organizations including trade associations, industry groups, and community organizations.
• Oversee and advise senior leadership on global crisis communications strategies and tactics.
• Develop content and manage distribution channels to ensure effective reach and engagement with stakeholders.

Collaborate & Engage

• Mentor and lead the public relations team, use data to continuously improve communications and engagement strategies.
• Work with and coach subject matter experts on public affairs opportunities, speaking engagements, and sponsored content, and leverage new and unique PR channels to tell Amentum’s story.
• Collaborate with the Marketing and Communications (Marcom) team and participate in Strategic Planning process.
• Be the primary liaison between Marcom and Government Relations and Investor Relations to ensure messaging and tactical alignment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Business Administration, Journalism, or related field. Advanced degree is preferred.
• US Citizenship is required to apply.
• At least 15 years of experience in corporate communications or a related field with at least 5 years leading public relations and external communications, working with executives as part of a Communications leadership team.
• Experience in U.S. defense, space, and/or energy markets. Global public relations experience a plus.
• Proven experience developing and executing successful external communications and public relations programs at the enterprise level with large, complex organizations.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and verbal communications skills.
• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills with the ability to work effectively with diverse teams across various levels of the organization.
• Strategic thinker with a results-driven mindset, able to balance both long-term objectives and day-to-day operational needs.

Key Competencies

• Leadership: Ability to lead, influence, and inspire teams while driving organizational goals. Demonstrated ability to synthesize business strategies into communication solutions and ability to set strategy and maintain audience and channel focus.
• Commitment to quality: While being able to prioritize and excel in a fast-paced environment.
• Strategic Thinking: Capable of developing and executing long-term strategies to support business goals.
• Communication: Outstanding written and verbal communication and influencing skills, with the ability to engage various external stakeholders. Strong understanding of digital communications and their optimal use in supporting information dissemination.
• Empathy: High emotional intelligence and an understanding of employee needs, motivations, and challenges.
• Problem Solving: Ability to navigate complex challenges and provide clear, actionable solutions.
• Creativity: Innovative in designing engagement initiatives and communication approaches that resonate with diverse stakeholders.

Working Conditions

• Full-time, executive-level position.
• Occasional travel may be required depending on organizational needs.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

Amentum is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our hiring practices provide equal opportunity for employment without regard to race, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or medical conditions related to pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding), age, ancestry, United States military or veteran status, color, religion, creed, marital or domestic partner status, medical condition, genetic information, national origin, citizenship status, low-income status, or mental or physical disability so long as the essential functions of the job can be performed with or without reasonable accommodation, or any other protected category under federal, state, or local law. Learn more about your rights under Federal laws and supplemental language at Labor Laws Posters.

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