Section Manager, Strategic Communications, Planning & Campaigns

Job Details

New ideas are all around us, but only a few will change the world. That’s our focus at JPL. We ask the biggest questions, then search the universe for answers—literally. We build upon ideas that have guided generations, then share our discoveries to inspire generations to come. Your mission—your opportunity—is to seek out the answers that bring us one step closer. If you’re driven to discover, create, and inspire something that lasts a lifetime and beyond, you’re ready for JPL.

Located in Pasadena, California, JPL has a campus-like environment situated on 177 acres in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains and offers a work environment unlike any other: we inspire passion, foster innovation, build collaboration, and reward excellence.

JPL’s Communications and Education Directorate is seeking an experienced Communications professional with demonstrated knowledge of JPL/NASA Programs and strong management and leadership skills to fill the position of the Strategic Communications, Planning & Campaigns Section Manager. The new Strategic Communications, Planning & Campaigns Section plans and delivers cross-cutting communications and stakeholder engagement strategies and campaigns in service of NASA/JPL-direct-funded missions. It works directly with programmatic leadership both at JPL and NASA (SMD) to ensure communications goals, messages, and engagement activities are aligned with overarching program, project and SMD thematic goals.

Responsibilities

As the Section Manager reporting to JPL’s Director for Communications and Education (18X) the selected candidate will:

• Lead communications campaign planning and execution ensuring consistency, clarity and alignment with the strategic goals of all NASA JPL direct-funded missions.
• Point of contact for all customers (JPL and NASA) related to integrated mission communications planning, strategy and budgets.
• Ensures delivery of campaigns, activities and products in line with SMD Task Plans and long-range business plans:
  • Thematic Integration & Infrastructure (Planetary)
  • Exoplanet Exploration Program
  • Earth Thematic
  • Mars Program Management and Future Planning
  • Mars Sample Return
  • Mission and program plans for communication
• Delivers integrated communications and outreach plans – inclusive of media, social media, events, employee, STEM, influencer engagement and networks, launches and mission milestones - collaborating with SMEs in Media, Internal Engagement, STEM Engagement & DesignLab.
• Works in lockstep with Program Offices and Project teams at JPL to advise on stakeholder prioritization, engagement and outreach.
• Works and communicates directly with key NASA programmatic and funding stakeholders to ensure that JPL’s work in SMD thematic areas continues to be valued, evidenced by secure funding, plus clarity and alignment in performance expectations.
• Provides strategic direction and expertise to develop products and messaging geared to key stakeholders across NASA, aerospace and support Legislative Affairs with congressional stakeholders.
• Proactively identifies relevant opportunities to engage; works with creative and technical SMEs to pitch new, innovative activations and content ideas.
• Leverages technical SMEs to build a clear understanding of different stakeholder communications needs and partners closely on tactical approaches to engage.
• Delivers integrated Communications lookahead (short and long-term) to anticipate opportunities and risks; provides counsel on proactive and reactive messaging.
• Develops KPIs for work ahead and communicates progress.
• Creates summaries of impact metrics for key campaigns and engagement activities.
• Has excellent situational awareness of macro-operating environment, shares relevant industry, economic, governmental issues that can inform or impact communications planning and campaigns.
• Manage and oversee the staffing of the Strategic Communications, Planning & Campaigns Section including the hiring, development, and retention. Effectively supervise, mentor, and evaluate the performance of a number of Direct Reports including Group Supervisors/Managers.
• Assign tasks and responsibilities and provide leadership and oversight of Section products and services.
• Oversee Section budget consisting of direct funds from NASA and JPL institutional funds. Conduct regular meetings with the Section Resource Analyst and Group Supervisors to monitor the budget.
• Oversee the preparation of financial reports and presentations to NASA and the Communications and Education Directorate.
• Manage the overall business operations of the Section; resolve technical, staffing, and resource issues.
• Perform institutional activities such as developing office charter and policies, reviewing relevant JPL policy documents, preparing semi-annual and annual performance reports.
• Function as an essential member of the Communications and Education Directorate’s management team. Inform, consult with, and advise the Director on complex and significant issues.
• Contribute to the planning and implementation of the Directorate’s strategic goals and objectives.
• Inform and present to JPL upper management and the Executive Council as required.
• Provide advocacy for process improvements in collaboration with other JPL organizations. Maintain strong and professional relationships across organizational lines.
• Spend significant time/effort engaging in person with other NASA partners, in Washington DC and elsewhere.

Requirements:

• Typically requires a Masters degree in Communications, Public Relations, Business Management or related disciplines with a minimum of 10 years of relevant experience along with a minimum of 4 years of management experience; or a Bachelors degree in similar disciplines with a minimum of 12 years of relevant experience along with a minimum of 4 years of management experience. 

Other requirements include:

• Proven experience in managing end-to-end an organization of mixed programmatic elements and a hybrid budget, adopting an integrated and cohesive management approach towards projects, component groups, and staff.
• Demonstrated ability to manage a diverse group of professionals and staff under a variety of employment conditions including regular employees, contractors, and part-time staff.
• Experience working with NASA and JPL Program Directorates, and partnerships with Project/Program Management (or similar complexity in other organizations). 
• Demonstrated ability to interact with multiple stakeholders and handle difficult situations in a timely manner.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Proven strong analytical skills applied to strategic planning and continuous process improvement. 
• Ability to motivate large teams and stay focused on key priority areas for future work

JPL has a catalog of benefits and perks that span from the traditional to the unique. This includes a variety of health, dental, vision, wellbeing, and retirement plans, paid time off, learning, rideshare, childcare, flexible schedule, parental leave and many more. Our focus is on work-life balance, and living healthy, fulfilling lives as we Dare Mighty Things Together. For benefits eligible positions, benefits are effective the first day of the month coincident with or immediately following the employee’s start date.

For further benefits information click Benefits and Perks

The hiring range displayed below is specifically for those who will work in or reside in the location listed. In extending an offer, Jet Propulsion Laboratory considers factors including, but not limited to, the candidate’s job related skills, experience, knowledge, and relevant education/training. Hiring range for this job may be adjusted based on primary work location outside of Pasadena, California. This adjusted range will be provided to candidates by the Recruiter when applicable.

The typical full time equivalent annual hiring range for this job in Pasadena, California.

$171,496 - $227,136

JPL is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy or perceived pregnancy, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, protected military or veteran status or any other characteristic or condition protected by Federal, state or local law.

In addition, JPL is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

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The Jet Propulsion Laboratory is a federal facility. Due to rules imposed by NASA, JPL will not accept applications from citizens of designated countries or those born in a designated country unless they are U.S. Citizens, Legal Permanent Residents of the U.S or have other protected status under 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3). The Designated Countries List is available here.