Communications Director Jobs in Virginia
Communications Director jobs in Virginia are in active demand, with openings concentrated in government affairs, defense contracting, higher education, and nonprofit advocacy across a range of seniority levels from communications manager to executive director of communications. The largest hiring clusters are in the Northern Virginia and Arlington corridor, Richmond, and the Hampton Roads metro, where anchors like Booz Allen Hamilton, Leidos, and George Mason University consistently fill strategic communications and public affairs roles. High-demand specialties in Virginia include government and public affairs communications, crisis communications, and digital media strategy. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 21+ Communications Director jobs
Deputy Director of Public Safety - Communications
Performs with excellence, the following tasks, including but not limited to:
- Responsible for managing E911 personnel, telephone equipment, and radio equipment;
- Recommends improvements to the emergency communication system;
- Manages emergency communication system upgrades and improvements;
- Identifies recruitment, retention and educational needs for E911 personnel;
- Prepare reports of events and statistics relative to E911 services;
- Works with other County departments, agencies and civic groups to increase awareness and recruitment, enhance and foster E911 service image in the community;
- Coordinates and prepares E911 education messages for release to the available media avenues;
- Responds to citizen inquiries relating to E911 system delivery;
- Coordinates and assists with EMS, Fire, Animal Control, and Law Enforcement activities within the County;
- Plan and deliver tabletop and functional exercises;
- Develops standard operating guidance and coordinates training of E911 Center personnel;
- Advises and receives direction from the Public Safety Committee and the Director of Public Safety on important issues and tasks related to dispatch communications;
- Attends functions, meetings and events as an official Public Safety representative.
- Performs duties as Deputy Emergency Coordinator, managing emergency management activities in the Coordinator’s absence;
- Prepares and maintains records/ budgets for accounting procedures related to a Public Safety program;
- Formulates program goals and objectives; develops programs to implement these objectives;
- Recommends allocation and personnel to meet goals and equipment resources;
- Organizes services and personnel to meet goals and objectives;
- Analyzes sources of revenue, anticipates expenditures and cost of increased services to meet the needs of those using the program;
- May write grant proposals and administers funded grants;
- Speaks to groups and communicates with the public and clients about a Public Safety program;
- Responds to emergency incidents of serious magnitude and provides oversight as needed;
- Drives and operates emergency equipment, as needed;
- Assist with the development and provides oversight of blanket services such as procurement and equipment maintenance which is determined to be beneficial to the Public Safety services within the County;
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree
- Four years experience in related field
- Additional education and/or training may be substituted where applicable.
- Must possess a valid Virginia driver’s license;
- Must successfully complete a criminal background investigation;
- Applicant must be in excellent physical health and be subject to and successfully complete a required physical examination.
- Requires completion of National Incident Management System IS-700 and IS-100 within
- 90 days of employment.
- Requires completion of National Incident Management System IS-200 and IS-800.b within 120 days of employment as well as ICS-300 and ICS-400 within 18 months of employment (based on availability of scheduled classes).
- Emergency Medical Dispatch Certification within 12 months of employment;
- Emergency Medical Dispatch Manager Certification within 12 months of employment;
- FEMA Professional Development Series certification within 1 year of employment and FEMA Advanced Professional Series certification within 3 years of employment;
- VCIN (Virginia Criminal Information) certification;
- Two (2) years supervisory experience.
Core Skill Sets:
- Ability to manage major emergency incidents making appropriate decisions with regard to patient care and property preservation;
- Ability to maintain positive working relationships with volunteer personnel and the public;
- Possess a working knowledge of all Public Safety activities within Campbell County;
- General understanding and ability to utilize the county’s adopted software platform;
- Must have comprehensive knowledge of emergency services groups (Fire, EMS, and Law Enforcement);
- Must have knowledge of the methods and procedures of operating an emergency communication system;
- Must have the ability to direct the design, installation and maintenance of communications equipment;
- Must have a general knowledge of radio communications systems in relation to emergency services.
Deputy Director of Public Safety - Communications
Performs with excellence, the following tasks, including but not limited to:
- Responsible for managing E911 personnel, telephone equipment, and radio equipment;
- Recommends improvements to the emergency communication system;
- Manages emergency communication system upgrades and improvements;
- Identifies recruitment, retention and educational needs for E911 personnel;
- Prepare reports of events and statistics relative to E911 services;
- Works with other County departments, agencies and civic groups to increase awareness and recruitment, enhance and foster E911 service image in the community;
- Coordinates and prepares E911 education messages for release to the available media avenues;
- Responds to citizen inquiries relating to E911 system delivery;
- Coordinates and assists with EMS, Fire, Animal Control, and Law Enforcement activities within the County;
- Plan and deliver tabletop and functional exercises;
- Develops standard operating guidance and coordinates training of E911 Center personnel;
- Advises and receives direction from the Public Safety Committee and the Director of Public Safety on important issues and tasks related to dispatch communications;
- Attends functions, meetings and events as an official Public Safety representative.
- Performs duties as Deputy Emergency Coordinator, managing emergency management activities in the Coordinator’s absence;
- Prepares and maintains records/ budgets for accounting procedures related to a Public Safety program;
- Formulates program goals and objectives; develops programs to implement these objectives;
- Recommends allocation and personnel to meet goals and equipment resources;
- Organizes services and personnel to meet goals and objectives;
- Analyzes sources of revenue, anticipates expenditures and cost of increased services to meet the needs of those using the program;
- May write grant proposals and administers funded grants;
- Speaks to groups and communicates with the public and clients about a Public Safety program;
- Responds to emergency incidents of serious magnitude and provides oversight as needed;
- Drives and operates emergency equipment, as needed;
- Assist with the development and provides oversight of blanket services such as procurement and equipment maintenance which is determined to be beneficial to the Public Safety services within the County;
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree
- Four years experience in related field
- Additional education and/or training may be substituted where applicable.
- Must possess a valid Virginia driver’s license;
- Must successfully complete a criminal background investigation;
- Applicant must be in excellent physical health and be subject to and successfully complete a required physical examination.
- Requires completion of National Incident Management System IS-700 and IS-100 within
- 90 days of employment.
- Requires completion of National Incident Management System IS-200 and IS-800.b within 120 days of employment as well as ICS-300 and ICS-400 within 18 months of employment (based on availability of scheduled classes).
- Emergency Medical Dispatch Certification within 12 months of employment;
- Emergency Medical Dispatch Manager Certification within 12 months of employment;
- FEMA Professional Development Series certification within 1 year of employment and FEMA Advanced Professional Series certification within 3 years of employment;
- VCIN (Virginia Criminal Information) certification;
- Two (2) years supervisory experience.
Core Skill Sets:
- Ability to manage major emergency incidents making appropriate decisions with regard to patient care and property preservation;
- Ability to maintain positive working relationships with volunteer personnel and the public;
- Possess a working knowledge of all Public Safety activities within Campbell County;
- General understanding and ability to utilize the county’s adopted software platform;
- Must have comprehensive knowledge of emergency services groups (Fire, EMS, and Law Enforcement);
- Must have knowledge of the methods and procedures of operating an emergency communication system;
- Must have the ability to direct the design, installation and maintenance of communications equipment;
- Must have a general knowledge of radio communications systems in relation to emergency services.
See All 21 Communications Director Jobs in Virginia
Find roles in Virginia that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Communications Director JobsCommunications Director Jobs by City in Virginia
Where Virginia roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Communications Director Job Market in Virginia
A snapshot from current Virginia openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Education
- Staffing & Recruiting
- Government & Public Sector
What Virginia Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in communications director jobs across Virginia.
- Bachelor's degree in communications, public relations, journalism, or a related field required
- Seven or more years of progressive communications experience including team leadership
- Demonstrated experience managing media relations and earned media strategy
- Proficiency with digital content platforms, social media management, and analytics tools
- Experience supporting C-suite executives with speechwriting and executive communications
- Background in government, defense, higher education, or nonprofit communications preferred
Communications Director Jobs in Virginia: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a communications director in Virginia?
Most communications directors in Virginia hold a bachelor's degree in communications, public relations, journalism, or a related field, with many senior roles preferring a master's degree. There is no state-issued license required for this role in Virginia. Employers typically look for candidates who have progressed through roles such as communications specialist, public affairs officer, or public relations manager before stepping into a director seat, particularly within government-adjacent or defense-sector organizations.
Which companies hire communications directors in Virginia?
Employers hiring communications directors in Virginia right now include William & Mary, University of Virginia, and Cvent, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Virginia's concentration of federal agencies, defense contractors, and major universities means a significant share of these openings sit within mission-driven or government-facing organizations.
Which Virginia cities have the most communications director jobs?
Virginia, Charlottesville, and Richmond account for the largest share of communications director openings in Virginia. Northern Virginia and Arlington draw heavily from defense contractors and federal agencies headquartered in the region, while Richmond anchors state government, financial services, and corporate communications roles, and Hampton Roads reflects demand from military installations and regional healthcare and higher education institutions.
Are there remote communications director jobs in Virginia?
Yes, and more than many leadership roles, because communications directors often work across written strategy, media outreach, and digital content that can travel well outside an office. About 55% of communications director openings tied to Virginia are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, reflecting the desk-heavy nature of the role. Functions like executive communications, content strategy, and social media management are most likely to be offered on a remote or hybrid basis.
How can I get hired as a communications director in Virginia with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is building a portfolio through communications coordinator or public affairs specialist roles, then moving into a manager position before targeting director-level openings. Large Virginia employers like Booz Allen Hamilton, the Commonwealth's state agencies, and universities such as Virginia Commonwealth University and the University of Virginia regularly hire communications associates and coordinators who grow into senior roles. A master's degree in strategic communications or public relations from a Virginia institution can accelerate the timeline for candidates without extensive experience.
Where can I find and apply to communications director jobs in Virginia?
You can find and apply to communications director jobs in Virginia on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings across the state. Find roles that fit your background and apply directly to the employers posting them.
See All 21 Communications Director Jobs in Virginia
Find roles in Virginia that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Communications Director Jobs