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Strategic Communications Manager Jobs in Virginia

You will perform communication strategy / management work and write SOPs to further the communication strategy of the customer. * You will research, build, and execute all aspects of the customers ...

The position plans, executes, and evaluates a comprehensive communications strategy that advances ... The manager develops an annual work plan in consultation with both supervisors and is evaluated ...

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Showing results 1-20

Strategic Communications Manager information

See Virginia salary details

$46.1K

$106.2K

$170.5K

How much do strategic communications manager jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 3, 2026, the average yearly pay for strategic communications manager in Virginia is $106,229.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $76,300.00 and $130,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a strategic communications manager?

Strategic Communications Managers are professionals responsible for developing and implementing communication strategies that support an organization's goals and objectives. They oversee the creation and dissemination of key messages, ensure consistency across all platforms, and manage both internal and external communications. Their work often involves media relations, crisis communication, branding, and stakeholder engagement. By aligning communication efforts with organizational strategy, they help build and maintain a positive public image and foster effective information flow.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a strategic communications manager?

To thrive as a Strategic Communications Manager, you need expertise in media relations, messaging strategy, and content development, often supported by a degree in communications, public relations, or a related field. Familiarity with digital communication platforms, content management systems, and analytics tools such as Google Analytics or Meltwater is typically required. Exceptional writing, interpersonal, and critical thinking skills help you manage stakeholder relationships and craft compelling narratives. These abilities are vital for effectively shaping public perception and achieving organizational communication goals.

What are some typical challenges strategic communications managers face when aligning messaging across multiple departments?

Strategic Communications Managers often encounter the challenge of ensuring consistent messaging across diverse departments, each with its own priorities and communication styles. Navigating different stakeholder expectations and synthesizing complex information into clear, unified messages requires strong interpersonal and project management skills. Successful managers regularly facilitate cross-departmental meetings, implement approval workflows, and use digital collaboration tools to maintain alignment and prevent miscommunication. This role demands adaptability and proactive relationship-building to create cohesive strategies that support organizational goals.

What is the difference between Strategic Communications Manager vs Public Relations Specialist?

AspectStrategic Communications ManagerPublic Relations Specialist
CredentialsBachelor's degree in communications, marketing, or related field; often requires experience in strategic planningBachelor's degree in communications, public relations, or related field; certifications like APR beneficial
Work EnvironmentCorporate or organizational settings, focusing on long-term communication strategiesPublic relations agencies or corporate PR teams, handling media and public outreach
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in large corporations, government agencies, and nonprofits for strategic messagingCommon in PR firms, media outlets, and organizations managing media relations

While both roles involve communication skills, the Strategic Communications Manager focuses on developing and executing comprehensive communication strategies aligned with organizational goals. The Public Relations Specialist primarily manages media relations and public outreach efforts. The manager's role is broader and more strategic, whereas the specialist's role is more tactical and media-focused.

Is strategic communications a good career?

Strategic communications is a viable career that involves developing and delivering messages to influence public perception and support organizational goals. It requires strong writing, research, and media skills, often utilizing tools like social media and analytics. The field offers opportunities in various industries, including corporate, government, and non-profit sectors, with potential for advancement and specialization.

What does a strategic communications manager do?

A strategic communications manager develops and implements communication plans to support an organization’s goals, manage public relations, and ensure consistent messaging across channels. They analyze audience needs, coordinate with teams, and often use tools like media monitoring and analytics to measure effectiveness.

What are the most commonly searched types of Strategic Communications jobs in Virginia?

The most popular types of Strategic Communications jobs in Virginia are:

What job categories do people searching Strategic Communications Manager jobs in Virginia look for?

The top searched job categories for Strategic Communications Manager jobs in Virginia are:

What cities in Virginia are hiring for Strategic Communications Manager jobs?

Cities in Virginia with the most Strategic Communications Manager job openings:

Infographic showing various Strategic Communications Manager job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 86% Full Time, 13% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $106,229 per year, or $51.1 per hour.

Strategic Communications Manager

HNTB Corporation

Glen Allen, VA • On-site

$110 - $199/hr

Other

Posted 2 days ago

New


HNTB rating

9.2

Company rating: 9.2 out of 10

Based on 22 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

What We're Looking For

At HNTB, you can create a career that is meaningful to you while building communities that matter to all of us. For more than a century, we have been delivering solutions for some of the largest, most complex infrastructure projects across the country. With our historic growth, it is an exciting time to join our team of employee-owners.

This opportunity entails planning, developing, and leading public involvement strategies and programs for clients to facilitate communication and acceptance of projects and initiatives. As part of HNTB's multidisciplinary team, you will partner with professionals across engineering, planning, graphic design, digital engagement, and communications to deliver integrated solutions that connect infrastructure projects with the communities they serve.

What You'll Do:

  • Manages day to day operations and oversees the creation of marketing and communications collateral to ensure that it is consistent with client brand guidelines and quality standards including fact sheets, presentations, press releases and reports.
  • Implements public involvement, communications, and outreach strategies and programs for clients to facilitate communication and acceptance of projects and initiatives and monitor their success.
  • Develops content to provide consistent, targeted, and impactful messages
  • Directs the development of and approves speeches, presentation materials, correspondence, digital media (such as social media, email newsletters, and websites) and other media for client review.
  • Engages with client to develop, recommend and determine appropriate communications vehicles to disseminate project or program information with stakeholders as directed by the communications plan and the client.
  • Identifies stakeholder perceptions of the initiative and its services, and makes recommendations necessary to improve perceptions, build support and advance project or program goals.
  • Defines and reports key performance indicators (KPIs) to indicate a campaign's level of effectiveness.
  • Plans and coordinates community meetings including scheduling, determining location, and ensuring proper setup and materials are present.
  • Oversees compliance with rules and laws specifically outlined by state and federal regulations and those that may be requested by clients.
  • Implements quality control procedures to ensure team is producing high quality programs.
  • Contributes ideas for new initiatives through research and recommends innovative communications and outreach techniques
  • Responsible for the recruitment, hiring, mentoring, development, and retention of staff, including performance and compensation reviews.
  • Contracts with and manages sub-consultants for public/community relations, graphic design, and other outside work when needed.
  • Performs other duties as assigned.

What You’ll Need:

  • Bachelor's degree in Political Science, Marketing, Communications, English, Journalism or related field and 8 years of relevant experience, or
  • In lieu of education, 12 years of relevant experience

What We Prefer:

  • Aviation communications experience

Additional Information

Benefits information: HNTB Total Rewards

Learn more about Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

#JS #MarketingSalesCommunications

Locations:

Arlington, VA (Alexandria), Glen Allen, VA (Richmond)

The approximate pay range for Virginia is $110,384.86 - $198,551.24. Please note that the pay range provided is a good faith estimate for the position based on all selected locations within the state at the time of posting. Actual compensation will be dependent on factors, including but not limited to, the individual’s qualifications, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities as well as physical work location within the state.

NOTICE TO THIRD-PARTY AGENCIES:

HNTB does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or agencies. Any staffing/employment agency, person or entity that submits an unsolicited resume to this site does so with the understanding that the applicant's resume will become the property of HNTB. HNTB will have the right to hire that applicant at its discretion and without any fee owed to the submitting staffing/employment agency, person or entity. Staffing/employment agencies who have fee agreements with HNTB must submit applicants to the designated HNTB recruiter to be eligible for placement fees.

Job Type: Regular

Full/Part Time: Full time

Job Category: Public Engagement and Communications Group

ReqID: R-30910

Equal Employment Opportunity & Disability Accessibility Statement

HNTB provides a fair and equal employment opportunity for all employees and applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, pregnancy status, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, genetic information, citizenship status, or other status protected by law. The HNTB Companies ensure nondiscrimination in all programs and activities in accordance with Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Any applicant with limited English proficiency or a qualifying physical or mental disability who believes they require a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact us at ReasonableAccommodations@HNTB.com or call 816-527-2600 for assistance. HNTB will make determinations on requests for accommodations on a case‑by‑case basis.

Hearing and speech impaired individuals who seek assistance or accommodation in applying for a position via TTY, may dial 711 in the United States. Instruct the TTY operator to call 888-400-4682 and select option 5 for TTY service. Please indicate to the HNTB agent that you are a candidate seeking assistance in the job application process.

Please note that The HNTB Companies will not accept any resume submitted via this email address. To properly submit your application to the HNTB Companies, and to ensure that our recruiters have immediate access to your resume/CV, please search our open positions online, and apply directly through our careers website.

Thank you for considering HNTB for your career opportunities.

Affirmative Action Policy Statement

HNTB has implemented the following policy as part of its longstanding commitment to compliance with all applicable affirmative action requirements. HNTB agrees to post in conspicuous places, available to employees and applicants for employment, this Affi…

HNTB is a federal contractor subject to Section 4212 of the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974, as amended (“Section 4212”) and Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (“Section 503”). Accordingly, it is HNTB’s policy to take affirmative action to employ and advance in employment protected veterans (disabled veterans, recently separated veterans, Armed Forces Service Medal veterans, or active-dug wartime or campaign badge veterans) and individuals with disabilities at all levels of employment, including the executive level. HNTB also will provide reasonable accommodation to known physical or mental limitations of an otherwise qualified employee or applicant for employment with a disability, unless the accommodation would impose undue hardship on the operation of HNTB. In order to request a reasonable accommodation, employees should contact the HR Solutions Center at General Policy Inquiry - Employee Center and applicants should contact ReasonableAccommodations@HNTB.com.

HNTB will recruit, hire, train, and promote individuals in all job titles, and will ensure that all other personnel actions are administered, without regard to an individual’s protected veteran or disability status. All employment decisions will be based only on valid job requirements. In addition, employees and applicants shall not be subjected to harassment, intimidation, threats, coercion, or discrimination because they have engaged in or may engage in any of the following activities: (1) filing a complaint; (2) assisting or participating in an investigation, compliance evaluation, hearing, or any other activity related to the administration of any Federal, State, or local law requiring equal opportunity for protected veterans or individuals with disabilities; (3) opposing any act or practice made unlawful by Section 4212, Section 503, their implementing regulations, or any other Federal, State or local law requiring equal opportunity for protected veterans or individuals with disabilities; or (4) exercising any other right protected by Section 4212, Section 503, or their implementing regulations.

The non-confidential portions of the affirmative action program for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities shall be available for inspection upon request by any employee or applicant for employment. These plans are available for review upon request during normal business hours. Any questions or requests to review should be directed to your Human Resources Partner.

As Chief Executive Officer, I fully support our affirmative action program and am committed to the implementation of the company’s affirmative action policy. I have delegated overall responsibility for this policy to the Business Integrity Director. The Manager of HR Compliance & Immigration is responsible for the implementation, auditing, and reporting of this policy and program, assisted by the office’s Human Resources Partner.

HNTB employees must comply with this policy and report any violations of illegal discrimination, as specified in the Integrity Reporting policy.

For Questions or Additional Information

For more information on this policy, please contact the HR Solutions Center, General Policy Inquiry - Employee Center, 888-400-4682.

Robert J. Slimp, CEO

#J-18808-Ljbffr

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About HNTB

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

At HNTB, you can create a career that is meaningful to you while building communities that matter to all of us. For more than a century, we have been delivering solutions for some of the largest, most complex infrastructure projects across the country. With our historic growth, it is an exciting time to join our team of employee-owners.

Industry

Construction

Company size

1,001 - 5,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Kansas City, MO, US

Year founded

1914