Communications Director - Remote/Hybrid in McLean, Virginia at Merlin International Inc
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Job Description
About Merlin Group
Merlin Group operates at the intersection of cyber innovation, national security, and technology-driven transformation. With a mission to accelerate the adoption of high-impact technologies across the U.S. public sector and regulated commercial markets, Merlin is uniquely structured around three core tenets – Invest, Enable, and Scale – each designed to address a specific stage of the technology lifecycle. Together, our affiliates – Merlin Ventures, CGC, and Merlin Cyber – form a flywheel that builds enduring capability for customers, partners, and the broader cyber ecosystem, operationalizing technological advancement into mission-ready, enterprise-grade solutions.
At Merlin, we believe our strength lies in our people. Team members are encouraged to be creative, collaborative, and nimble, pursuing paths to deliver the cutting-edge cybersecurity solutions that our customers rely on. From next-generation cyber defense to secure cloud and AI, we are united by one purpose – transforming innovation into mission impact.
The Opportunity
Merlin is seeking a strategic, proactive, and execution-oriented Communications Director to lead and scale our corporate communications function. Reporting to the VP of Marketing, this leader will own external communications, executive thought leadership, social media strategy, internal communications, media and analyst relations, and partner communications. Experience in B2B technology, specifically cybersecurity or related IT infrastructure industries, is required.
This role will shape how the company is positioned across customers, media, analysts, investors, influencers, partners, employees, and the broader market. The ideal candidate blends strategic narrative development with operational excellence and has deep experience driving communications programs for high-growth B2B and B2G cybersecurity companies.
The Communications Director will serve as a key steward of the company’s voice, reputation, executive visibility, and market presence while partnering cross-functionally with Product, Sales, Executive Leadership, HR, Investor/VC stakeholders, and strategic partners.
Primary Duties & Responsibilities
External Communications & Public Relations- Develop and execute an integrated external communications strategy across PR, analyst relations, social media, and corporate reputation management.
- Build and maintain relationships with top-tier business, technology, industry, and trade media as well as independent content creators, podcast hosts, and industry influencers.
- Develop proactive media strategies that increase company visibility, category leadership, and executive presence across earned and owned channels.
- Develop and execute executive communications and thought-leadership programming designed to drive brand awareness and market differentiation.
- Manage inbound media requests, interview coordination, briefing prep, and crisis communications support.
- Identify and drive newsworthy storytelling opportunities tied to company milestones, customers, products, funding, partnerships, and industry trends.
- Oversee agency relationships and external communications vendors as applicable.
- Monitor competitive and industry news activity to identify opportunities and risks.
- Own the writing, development, and distribution of all official company news including:
- Press releases
- Funding announcements
- Product launches
- Customer stories
- Partnership announcements
- Corporate milestones
- Awards and recognition
- Build integrated launch and announcement strategies across earned, owned, and social channels.
- Develop editorial news calendars aligned to business priorities and market moments.
- Ensure consistency of messaging, positioning, and narrative across all news announcements.
Social Media Strategy & Management
- Own the company’s social media strategy across corporate and executive channels.
- Partner with contractors and vendors as needed to scale social media content creation that drives awareness, engagement and thought leadership.
- Oversee social media editorial calendars, content strategy and publishing schedules to maximize engagement and impact.
- Collaborate across all marketing functions to create fully integrated campaigns that leverage social-first content to break through.
Internal Communications
- Lead internal communications programs that strengthen employee alignment, engagement, and transparency.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to draft and distribute company-wide announcements, executive updates, and organizational communications as needed.
- Support internal events and communications including:
- Town halls
- Leadership updates
- Employee milestones
- Change management communications
- Crisis or sensitive communications
- Partner with HR and leadership teams to reinforce company culture and values through different communications channels.
- Ensure consistency between internal and external messaging.
Partner & ISV Communications
- Support communications strategies and announcements with strategic partners, ISVs, technology alliances, and ecosystem stakeholders.
- Develop joint messaging, press materials, communications templates, social amplification, and coordinated communications plans.
- Help maximize visibility and impact of partner-related news and milestones.
Investor / VC Communications Support
- Partner with leadership and investor stakeholders to support communications tied to funding, growth milestones, strategic announcements and media engagements.
- Help identify media and thought leadership opportunities that strengthen market perception and investor visibility.
- Support messaging related to funding rounds, market positioning, growth narratives, and company momentum.
Qualifications
Required
- 10-12+ years of experience in corporate communications, public relations, executive communications, or related fields.
- Experience in B2B technology, specifically cybersecurity, IT infrastructure, or related industries is required.
- Proven success leading integrated communications programs for high-growth companies.
- Strong experience with:
- Content writing
- Media relations
- Analyst relations
- Executive communications
- Social media strategy
- Internal communications
- Corporate storytelling
- Executive thought leadership
- Experience supporting executive spokespeople and thought leadership initiatives.
- Strong understanding of modern media landscapes, digital communications, and social platforms.
- Experience managing agencies, vendors, and cross-functional stakeholders.
- Experience using generative AI tools like Claude to maximize strategic work output and scale.
- Exceptional written, verbal, and presentation communication skills.
Preferred
- Experience in emerging AI technology or related fields.
- Experience supporting venture-backed or high-growth B2B/B2G technology environments.
- Experience in the cybersecurity technology marketplace, including cybersecurity news cycles, reporters, media outlets, analysts and influencers.
- Experience with funding announcements, IPO readiness, or investor communications.
- Existing media and analyst relationships within cybersecurity technology sectors.
- Experience with crisis communications and reputation management.
- Familiarity with communications measurement and PR analytics platforms.
Success Attributes
- Commitment to personal and professional integrity and respect for others.
- Roll-up-your-sleeves attitude and low-ego approach.
- Commitment to teamwork and professional relationship development.
- Passion for lifelong learning, growth, and development.
- Flexible and nimble; comfortable with ambiguity and rapid change.
- Strong communication and functional project management skills.
- Desire to innovate, try new things, and creatively explore novel solutions to business challenges.
- Professional and respectful approach to the diversity of thought, action, identity, and attributes.
Benefits & Perks
We want to empower and inspire employees to be and do their best. Our workdays are dynamic, collegial, and fun. Our office features multiple places to work unconstrained by typical office barriers. Our wellness package provides access to an on-site gym and includes medical, dental, and vision insurance along with options for FSA and EAP. We offer 401(k) with employer match, unlimited PTO, and a culture respectful of the reality that not everything in one’s personal life is guaranteed to happen only after hours.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, local, or international law.