Senior Public Affairs Officer

Job ID: 2610366

Location: Springfield, VA, US

Date Posted: 2026-03-18

Category: Communications

Subcategory: Communications

Schedule: Full-Time

Shift: Day Job

Travel: No

Minimum Clearance Required: TS.SCI

Clearance Level Must Be Able to Obtain: TS/SCI with Poly

Potential for Remote Work: ORA_ON_SITE

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 critical 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.

Responsibilities will include the following:

Strategic Communications:
- Develop and implement long-term strategic communication plans in alignment with the agency’s goals.
- Provide expert counsel to senior leadership on communications 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, provide media prep, help develop responses to media inquiries, and other materials for the media. Direct the content strategy and management of the agency’s public website and social media channels along with providing media measurements and metrics for both.
- 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 clip.
- Also provide support for government agency communicators meetings to include content preparation and day of support.

Community and Academic Outreach:
- In support of community and academic outreach, conference planning and engagements, develop budgets, strategic outreach plans, strategic communications plans, and informal materials for a variety of audiences to include informational materials for industry, academia, leadership, and DoD/IC customers and stakeholders to include measurement, follow-up and analysis. This includes preparing event specific presentations, briefing books, slick sheets, brochures, handouts, and agendas.
- Plan, coordinate, and execute high-level external events/campaigns for strategy, workforce development, outreach campaigns, GEOINT Symposium, Esri Conference, and other engagements as requested. Manage visit dry runs, read ahead materials, prep packages, placemats, presentations, and briefing material.
- Support of the agency’s distinguished speaker program. Track and manage external speaking engagements for personnel (non-EXCOM).
- Executive Communications:
  - Serve as a speechwriter for senior leadership, preparing remarks for a variety of public and private events.
- Also provide remarks and prepare email and other digital products for senior leadership.
- Internal Collaboration & Oversight: As a senior team member, provide copy editing and quality assurance for public affairs products. Support the monthly government agency communicators meeting, offer expert recommendations on emerging communication trends, and assist with tracking and maintaining media and public affairs logs.
- Engagements:
  - Support high-level military and civilian, foreign, and domestic visits/functions, 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 material.
  - Track and manage both internal and external engagements for Senior Leadership to include schedules, agendas, and planning materials.
  - Provide both formal and informal briefings for visiting groups and individuals which convey useful information, including museum tours.
  - Provide support to the Geospatial Intelligence Hall of Fame Award Program to include:
    - Publicize the call for nominations on internal/external platforms.
    - Process and consolidate nomination packages.
    - Submit a slate of candidates for membership to the Hall of Fame Selection Board.
    - Review the list of potential inductees and coordinate IG review.
    - Serve as Secretary to the Hall of Fame Selection Board.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications include:

Active TS/SCI is REQUIRED.
Willing and able to obtain a Polygraph.

Education: A bachelor’s degree in Public Relations, Public Affairs, Journalism, or a related field. In lieu of a bachelor’s degree, the candidate must have 8+ years of direct public affairs or journalism. Completion of formal DoW public affairs training (Defense Information School coursework) preferred.

Experience: A minimum of 10 years of demonstrated experience in public affairs or journalism, in a leadership capacity, 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 proven track record in speechwriting.

Demonstrated ability to lead effectively during high-pressure crisis situations.

Strategic Thinking: Ability to develop and execute sophisticated, multi-faceted communication plans that align 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: Superb interpersonal skills with a natural ability to build and maintain relationships with diverse stakeholders, including community partners, government entities, and internal teams.