Strategic Project and Communications Lead in Patuxent River, Maryland at Shadow Objects

ShadowObjects is seeking a Strategic Project and Communications Lead to provide leadership across strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, communications, and program execution within our Decision Intelligence portfolio. This role supports both internal and external customers and is responsible for driving successful delivery of complex technical initiatives across geographically dispersed teams and stakeholder organizations.

The ideal candidate is an action-oriented strategic leader with extensive experience in project execution, communications, public relations, change management, customer engagement, and team leadership within DoN/NAVAIR environments. This individual will build strong customer relationships, develop high-performing teams, and ensure programs consistently meet or exceed expectations.

• Serve as a key point of contact for internal and external customers, ensuring strategic alignment, mission synchronization, and clear communication.
• Build and maintain relationships with senior military and civilian leadership, industry partners, customers, and internal teams.
• Develop customer engagement strategies that strengthen partnerships, demonstrate value, and support long-term organizational goals.
• Monitor mission needs, industry trends, and emerging technologies to identify opportunities and provide strategic recommendations.
• Lead change management efforts supporting organizational and program transformation.

• Develop and execute communications strategies for leadership, internal teams, government customers, and industry partners.
• Prepare executive briefings, program updates, strategic messaging, and other communications for technical and non-technical audiences.
• Support public relations, stakeholder engagement, crisis communications, and reputation management activities.
• Establish communication frameworks that promote consistent and timely information sharing across dispersed organizations.
• Translate complex technical concepts into clear, actionable messaging.

• Lead planning and execution of data, analytics, and decision intelligence initiatives.
• Direct cross-functional and geographically dispersed teams to meet cost, schedule, performance, and customer objectives.
• Establish project controls, governance, performance measures, and reporting processes.
• Manage multiple concurrent initiatives while maintaining a strong focus on quality, responsiveness, and customer satisfaction.
• Drive continuous improvement across program delivery and internal operations.

• Support Decision Intelligence operations, including financial planning, budget execution, resource allocation, and performance management.
• Develop workforce strategies focused on recruiting, developing, and retaining high-performing technical talent.
• Foster a collaborative environment that empowers team members to perform at their best.
• Ensure compliance with applicable DoW regulations, policies, security requirements, and organizational procedures.

• Support proposal development, capture strategy, and contract positioning activities.
• Prepare and deliver executive briefings, program reviews, capability presentations, and strategic recommendations.
• Participate in customer planning sessions and other strategic engagement activities.
• Promote a culture of innovation, collaboration, customer service, and mission success.

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Business Administration, Communications, Public Relations, or a related discipline.
• 20+ years of combined education and relevant professional experience in strategic project management, communications, public relations, organizational leadership, or related disciplines.
• Minimum 7 years of progressive experience supporting DoN/NAVAIR programs, with demonstrated expertise in project management, communications, and customer engagement.
• Minimum 3 years in a leadership, management, or program director capacity, with demonstrated success leading teams, managing organizational change, and engaging senior stakeholders.
• Extensive experience supporting large, geographically dispersed organizations and complex internal and external customer environments.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple strategic initiatives and stakeholder relationships simultaneously.

• Strong understanding of digital engineering, data analytics, and software development principles and methodologies.
• Experience with modern digital tools and platforms utilized within NAVAIR environments.
• Proven experience managing technical teams, program budgets, integrated schedules, and complex system implementations.
• Strong project management capabilities with demonstrated success in execution, delivery, and performance optimization.
• Experience developing and implementing communications and change management strategies for technical programs and organizational initiatives.

• Active Department of War security clearance required.
• Exceptional written, verbal, presentation, and executive communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively engage senior and flag-level leadership, government customers, technical teams, and business stakeholders.
• Extensive experience in stakeholder communications, public relations, change management, and customer engagement.
• Proven ability to build trust and maintain strong relationships in complex, high-stakes environments.

You are a seasoned, action-oriented leader with a well-rounded background spanning strategic project management, technical program delivery, communications, public relations, customer engagement, and organizational leadership.

You thrive in complex, geographically dispersed environments and have a demonstrated ability to lead high-performing teams, navigate organizational change, strengthen customer partnerships, and consistently deliver results. You understand how to bring out the best in your teammates while maintaining a strong focus on customer service and mission success.

Most importantly, you can operate effectively at the intersection of technical execution, business strategy, and executive communication—translating complex initiatives into clear strategies, aligning diverse stakeholders, and driving programs from vision through successful execution.