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Director Strategic Communications Jobs in Reston, VA

SAIC

NRO Strategic Communications Specialist

Chantilly, VA · Hybrid

$120K - $160K/yr

ORA_ON_SITE Description SAIC has an opportunity for a Strategic Communications Specialist in Chantilly, VA to provide direct strategic communication support to an NRO Program Office Director. The ...

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All JobsStrategic Communications JobsDirector Strategic Communications JobsDirector Strategic Communications Jobs in Reston, VA

Director Strategic Communications information

See Reston, VA salary details

$39.5K

$104.4K

$156.6K

How much do director strategic communications jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for director strategic communications in Reston, VA is $104,427.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $81,100.00 and $125,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a director of strategic communications do?

A Director of Strategic Communications is responsible for developing and overseeing an organization's communication strategies to ensure clear, consistent messaging both internally and externally. They manage public relations, media outreach, crisis communication, and often collaborate with leadership to align messaging with organizational goals. This role also involves guiding teams, analyzing communication effectiveness, and adapting strategies based on feedback and changing circumstances.

How does a director of strategic communications typically collaborate with executive leadership and other departments?

As a Director of Strategic Communications, you will work closely with executive leadership to align messaging with organizational goals and shape the company's public image. You’ll regularly collaborate with departments such as marketing, public relations, and human resources to ensure consistent and effective communication across all channels. This role often involves participating in leadership meetings, advising on crisis communication, and supporting internal initiatives, making cross-functional teamwork and strong relationship-building skills essential for success.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a director of strategic communications, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Director of Strategic Communications, you need expertise in public relations, messaging strategy, and media relations, typically supported by a degree in communications or a related field and significant leadership experience. Familiarity with media monitoring tools, digital analytics platforms, and content management systems is essential for effective campaign oversight. Exceptional leadership, crisis management, and persuasive communication skills help set top candidates apart. These capabilities are crucial for shaping organizational narratives, protecting reputation, and driving cohesive, impactful communication strategies.

What is the difference between Director Strategic Communications vs Communications Manager?

AspectDirector Strategic CommunicationsCommunications Manager
CredentialsBachelor’s degree; often Master’s in Communications, Public Relations, or related fieldsBachelor’s degree; similar fields, less emphasis on advanced degrees
Work EnvironmentStrategic planning, executive collaboration, high-level messagingCampaign execution, media relations, content creation
Employer & Industry UsageCorporations, government agencies, nonprofitsMarketing firms, corporate communications departments, NGOs
Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding leadership roles in communicationsManaging communication projects and teams

The main difference is that the Director Strategic Communications focuses on high-level strategy, policy, and executive communication, while the Communications Manager handles day-to-day messaging, media relations, and campaign execution. Both roles require strong communication skills and relevant credentials, but the director position involves more strategic oversight and leadership responsibilities.

What are the most commonly searched types of Strategic Communications jobs in Reston, VA?

The most popular types of Strategic Communications jobs in Reston, VA are:

What job categories do people searching Director Strategic Communications jobs in Reston, VA look for?

The top searched job categories for Director Strategic Communications jobs in Reston, VA are:

What cities near Reston, VA are hiring for Director Strategic Communications jobs?

Cities near Reston, VA with the most Director Strategic Communications job openings:

Director Strategic Communications jobs near you
Infographic showing various Director Strategic Communications job openings in Reston, VA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 82% Physical, 6% Hybrid, and 12% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $104,427 per year, or $50.2 per hour.

Director, Strategic Communications

Bully Pulpit International

Washington, DC • On-site

$110K - $130K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 28 days ago

Job description

Bully Pulpit International is an outcomes agency made up of strategists, data scientists, and artists. We come from politics, brands, and government and we communicate without barriers and measure what matters. We have more than 400 team members in six countries and thirteen offices - Berlin, Brussels, Chicago, D.C., London, Los Angeles, New York, Oslo, San Francisco, and Zürich. We apply our unique expertise across strategic communications, public affairs, research, and digital marketing to create sophisticated and customized strategies that make change possible for both American and European clients.
  • Starting Salary Range: $110,000 - $130,000 (+ annual bonus)
  • Expectation to work from one of our offices (DC, NYC, SF, CHI, LA) at least 3 days a week

The Impact You Will Make
The Director/Senior Director serves as the primary bridge between agency leadership and client success. You will act as a client lead directly owning the relationship and overseeing the lifecycle of an account from the initial new business pitch to final reporting. This role requires a hybrid skill set: the political savvy of a lobbyist, the creative flair of an ad executive, and the precision of a project manager.
You are a "player-coach" who is just as comfortable in a pitch meeting with a CEO as you are in redlining a press release or managing a complex editorial calendar. You thrive in ambiguous environments and are able to quickly understand what the client needs and translate it into a clear strategy that teams can operationalize. You don't just wait for news to happen; you monitor client issue areas to proactively flag opportunities for engagement before the client even realizes they exist.
What Day to Day Looks Like
1. Strategic Account Leadership
  • Executive Liaison: Serve as the primary point of contact for senior-level decision-makers, offering real-time strategic counsel with minimal oversight.
  • Campaign Architecture: Implement the strategy for and oversee the execution of earned and owned media campaigns, ensuring they align with the client's long-term goals.
  • Integrated Execution: Shepherd projects across multi-disciplinary service teams, including media planning, media buying, creative, measurement, and data insights.

2. Content & Media Excellence
  • High-Stakes Writing: Oversee the production of everything from high-level strategic memos and communications plans to tactical press releases, op-eds, and social media content.
  • Media Relations: Proactively develop earned media strategies, leveraging existing reporter relationships to place stories that move the needle on key issues.

3. Team Management & Mentorship
  • Workflow Oversight: Manage internal teams across different offices to ensure quality control and adherence to tight deadlines.
  • Professional Development: Act as a coach and/or direct manager for junior staff, providing clear feedback and supporting their professional development.

4. Business Development
  • Growth Strategy: Partner with agency leadership to identify, draft, and present proposals for new business opportunities.
  • Relationship Building: Expand existing accounts while establishing trust with prospective clients through compelling pitch decks and presentations.

Requirements
  • 8-10 years in public affairs, PR, or strategic comms (agency or political background preferred).
  • Master of AP Style; ability to pivot between creative storytelling and analytical strategic reporting.
  • Proficiency in media monitoring software (Cision, Meltwater) and social media marketing platforms.
  • Proven track record of managing multi-client deliverables and leading cross-functional teams with minimal oversight.
  • Ability to stay calm and provide "real-time" recommendations under high-pressure, tight-timeline scenarios.

Benefits
BPI offers a wide range of benefits to U.S.-based employees, including 100% company-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k) program with employer match up to 4%, generous time off for vacation, $50 monthly phone reimbursement, unlimited sick time, and 16 weeks of paid leave for new parents. BPI's benefits prioritize employee wellness and progressive support to our diverse workforce.
We're looking for all kinds of people.
BPI Group is an integrated public affairs agency that delivers outcomes for the top organizations and leaders around the world. With expertise in strategic communications, digital marketing, creative, research, and measurement, we offer a cohesive approach across corporate, policy, and public affairs strategy in today's interconnected world. By combining incisive strategy and deep tactical expertise, we make change possible. Our transatlantic presence includes offices across eleven markets in the US and Europe.
We are an equal opportunity employer and make employment decisions based on individual commitment to excellence. We want to have the best qualified people in every job. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion or religious creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, status as a protected veteran, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information or characteristics (or those of a family member) or any other consideration made unlawful by applicable federal, state or local laws. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements.
BPI is dedicated to building an inclusive, diverse, equitable, and accessible workplace that fosters a sense of belonging - so if you're excited about this role but your past experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to still consider submitting an application. We consider applications holistically and you may be just the right candidate for this role or another one of our openings!
Let's keep in touch. Follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter at bpigroup.com

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