Communications Lead Jobs in Virginia
Communications Lead jobs in Virginia are in strong demand, with steady hiring concentrated in government affairs and public relations, defense and federal contracting communications, nonprofit advocacy, and technology sector corporate communications, at levels from coordinator to senior director. The heaviest hiring activity is in the Northern Virginia, Richmond, and Hampton Roads metros, where employers such as Leidos, Booz Allen Hamilton, and Dominion Energy maintain large, established communications teams. The most sought-after specialties in Virginia are government and public affairs communications, internal communications for large enterprises, and digital and media strategy. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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At Capital One, we’re building a leading technology company. Founder-led by Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Richard Fairbank, Capital One helps our customers succeed by bringing ingenuity, simplicity, and humanity to banking. We measure our efforts by the success our customers enjoy and the advocacy they exhibit. We are succeeding because they are succeeding.
Guided by our shared values, we thrive in an environment where collaboration and openness are valued. We believe that innovation is powered by perspective and that teamwork and respect for each other lead to superior results. We elevate each other and obsess about doing the right thing. Our associates serve with humility and a deep respect for their responsibility in helping our customers achieve their goals and realize their dreams. Together, we are on a quest to change banking for good.
Working for one of the world’s most recognized brands that is ranked #106 on the Fortune 500 and #15 on Fortune’s 100 Best Companies to Work For, Capital One provides multiple opportunities to learn and grow while engaging with world-class business leaders across the enterprise.
About the Role:
Capital One is looking for a strategic, creative and results-oriented communications professional to join our Public Affairs team within the Global Policy Affairs Group (GPAG.) Public Affairs is a cross-functional organization within Capital One’s Global Enterprise Affairs (GEA) team that leverages best practices across integrated marketing, strategic communications, stakeholder engagement, research and data intelligence, reputation management and issues advocacy to enable business growth and mitigate risk.
This is a high visibility role that will have direct and regular engagement with senior leaders both inside the company and within key partner organizations. This role provides the opportunity to drive high-visibility, multi-channel strategic communications strategies that tell the story of Capital One to decisionmaker audiences. It is also focused on engaging critical stakeholders and contributing to the national conversation around key economic and societal issues including credit access, affordable housing and entrepreneurship and business creation.
As a key member of the Public Affairs team, you will lead the development of comprehensive, multi-channel campaigns that educate, influence and tell the story of Capital One while advancing enterprise priorities. This role is designed for an experienced professional who can proactively identify emerging trends in the policy environment and macroeconomic landscape and translate complex issues into compelling, data-driven narratives. You will serve as a strategic advisor to internal business leaders and external stakeholders, including industry trade associations, nonprofit partners, think tanks, and policy and civic influencers. You will support the execution of a wide range of external events and convenings, earned media, influencer and digital advertising strategies – ensuring that our public affairs objectives are integrated into the broader corporate reputation and brand narrative.
This position requires exceptional judgment, creative problem solving, attention to detail, focus on results, and an innate ability to influence. A knack for distilling complex issues into compelling stories and a curiosity about perspectives different from your own are essential to the success of this role. Humility, adaptability and a sense of humor will also serve you well.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Advocacy and Campaign Execution: Lead the end-to-end strategy and execution of integrated public affairs and data-driven campaigns (earned, paid, owned and digital) to advance policy, legislative and corporate reputation priorities at the federal, state and local levels.
- Stakeholder and Third Party Management: Build and leverage trusted relationships with external stakeholders, including policy influencers, trade associations, think tanks, and non-profits to drive joint initiatives.
- Media Relations: Cultivate deep relationships with beltway, national, regional and trade media outlets; pitch and secure targeted earned media moments to advance core enterprise narratives.
- Executive and Strategic Counsel: Provide real-time, actionable strategic advice to senior business leaders and internal partners, ensuring communications seamlessly line up with enterprise objectives.
- Messaging and Content Creation: Draft high-impact strategic materials, executive talking points, communications briefs, and positioning papers on complex issues.
- Convenings and Events: Design, manage and execute high-impact thought leadership events, policymaker education programs and strategic convenings both inside and outside the beltway.
- Data-Driven Narrative Development: Capitalize on proprietary research and data-driven insights to inform policymaker education, elevate executive profiles and shape public opinion.
Basic Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree or military experience
- At least 5 years of experience in public affairs, issue advocacy campaign, earned media, political campaigns, or any combination of the four
- At least 2 years of experience in a consulting or corporate setting, such as a PR agency or trade association
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience working with elected officials, regulatory agencies, or political campaigns
- Experience working in a highly regulated industry such as financial services, healthcare or technology
- Experience designing, planning and executing events
- Experience developing presentations, leveraging AI responsibly and working efficiently under tight deadlines
- Project management experience and a proven ability to help manage multiple deliverables in a fast-paced environment while able to think quickly
- Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to manage internal and external relationships
- Well-versed in current events and headline news at local, national, and international levels
- Active personal network within the policy or financial services communities
At this time, Capital One will not sponsor a new applicant for employment authorization for this position.
The minimum and maximum full-time annual salaries for this role are listed below, by location. Please note that this salary information is solely for candidates hired to perform work within one of these locations, and refers to the amount Capital One is willing to pay at the time of this posting. Salaries for part-time roles will be prorated based upon the agreed upon number of hours to be regularly worked.
Richmond, VA: $122,100 - $139,400 for Communications ManagerMcLean, VA: $134,400 - $153,300 for Communications Manager
Candidates hired to work in other locations will be subject to the pay range associated with that location, and the actual annualized salary amount offered to any candidate at the time of hire will be reflected solely in the candidate’s offer letter.
This role is also eligible to earn performance based incentive compensation, which may include cash bonus(es) and/or long term incentives (LTI). Incentives could be discretionary or non discretionary depending on the plan.Capital One offers a comprehensive, competitive, and inclusive set of health, financial and other benefits that support your total well-being. Learn more at the Capital One Careers website. Eligibility varies based on full or part-time status, exempt or non-exempt status, and management level.
This role is expected to accept applications for a minimum of 5 business days.No agencies please. Capital One is an equal opportunity employer (EOE, including disability/vet) committed to non-discrimination in compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. Capital One promotes a drug-free workplace. Capital One will consider for employment qualified applicants with a criminal history in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable laws regarding criminal background inquiries, including, to the extent applicable, Article 23-A of the New York Correction Law; San Francisco, California Police Code Article 49, Sections 4901-4920; New York City’s Fair Chance Act; Philadelphia’s Fair Criminal Records Screening Act; and other applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations regarding criminal background inquiries.If you have visited our website in search of information on employment opportunities or to apply for a position, and you require an accommodation, please contact Capital One Recruiting at 1-800-304-9102 or via email at RecruitingAccommodation@capitalone.com. All information you provide will be kept confidential and will be used only to the extent required to provide needed reasonable accommodations.
For technical support or questions about Capital One's recruiting process, please send an email to Careers@capitalone.com
Capital One does not provide, endorse nor guarantee and is not liable for third-party products, services, educational tools or other information available through this site.
Capital One Financial is made up of several different entities. Please note that any position posted in Canada is for Capital One Canada, any position posted in the United Kingdom is for Capital One Europe and any position posted in the Philippines is for Capital One Philippines Service Corp. (COPSSC).
Capital One Insights Center Communications Lead, Public Affairs ManagerAt Capital One, we’re building a leading technology company. Founder-led by Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Richard Fairbank, Capital One helps our customers succeed by bringing ingenuity, simplicity, and humanity to banking. We measure our efforts by the success our customers enjoy and the advocacy they exhibit. We are succeeding because they are succeeding.
Guided by our shared values, we thrive in an environment where collaboration and openness are valued. We believe that innovation is powered by perspective and that teamwork and respect for each other lead to superior results. We elevate each other and obsess about doing the right thing. Our associates serve with humility and a deep respect for their responsibility in helping our customers achieve their goals and realize their dreams. Together, we are on a quest to change banking for good.
Working for one of the world’s most recognized brands that is ranked #106 on the Fortune 500 and #15 on Fortune’s 100 Best Companies to Work For, Capital One provides multiple opportunities to learn and grow while engaging with world-class business leaders across the enterprise.
About the Role:
Capital One is looking for a strategic, creative and results-oriented communications professional to join our Public Affairs team within the Global Policy Affairs Group (GPAG.) Public Affairs is a cross-functional organization within Capital One’s Global Enterprise Affairs (GEA) team that leverages best practices across integrated marketing, strategic communications, stakeholder engagement, research and data intelligence, reputation management and issues advocacy to enable business growth and mitigate risk.
This is a high visibility role that will have direct and regular engagement with senior leaders both inside the company and within key partner organizations. This role provides the opportunity to drive high-visibility, multi-channel strategic communications strategies that tell the story of Capital One to decisionmaker audiences. It is also focused on engaging critical stakeholders and contributing to the national conversation around key economic and societal issues including credit access, affordable housing and entrepreneurship and business creation.
As a key member of the Public Affairs team, you will lead the development of comprehensive, multi-channel campaigns that educate, influence and tell the story of Capital One while advancing enterprise priorities. This role is designed for an experienced professional who can proactively identify emerging trends in the policy environment and macroeconomic landscape and translate complex issues into compelling, data-driven narratives. You will serve as a strategic advisor to internal business leaders and external stakeholders, including industry trade associations, nonprofit partners, think tanks, and policy and civic influencers. You will support the execution of a wide range of external events and convenings, earned media, influencer and digital advertising strategies – ensuring that our public affairs objectives are integrated into the broader corporate reputation and brand narrative.
This position requires exceptional judgment, creative problem solving, attention to detail, focus on results, and an innate ability to influence. A knack for distilling complex issues into compelling stories and a curiosity about perspectives different from your own are essential to the success of this role. Humility, adaptability and a sense of humor will also serve you well.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Advocacy and Campaign Execution: Lead the end-to-end strategy and execution of integrated public affairs and data-driven campaigns (earned, paid, owned and digital) to advance policy, legislative and corporate reputation priorities at the federal, state and local levels.
- Stakeholder and Third Party Management: Build and leverage trusted relationships with external stakeholders, including policy influencers, trade associations, think tanks, and non-profits to drive joint initiatives.
- Media Relations: Cultivate deep relationships with beltway, national, regional and trade media outlets; pitch and secure targeted earned media moments to advance core enterprise narratives.
- Executive and Strategic Counsel: Provide real-time, actionable strategic advice to senior business leaders and internal partners, ensuring communications seamlessly line up with enterprise objectives.
- Messaging and Content Creation: Draft high-impact strategic materials, executive talking points, communications briefs, and positioning papers on complex issues.
- Convenings and Events: Design, manage and execute high-impact thought leadership events, policymaker education programs and strategic convenings both inside and outside the beltway.
- Data-Driven Narrative Development: Capitalize on proprietary research and data-driven insights to inform policymaker education, elevate executive profiles and shape public opinion.
Basic Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree or military experience
- At least 5 years of experience in public affairs, issue advocacy campaign, earned media, political campaigns, or any combination of the four
- At least 2 years of experience in a consulting or corporate setting, such as a PR agency or trade association
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience working with elected officials, regulatory agencies, or political campaigns
- Experience working in a highly regulated industry such as financial services, healthcare or technology
- Experience designing, planning and executing events
- Experience developing presentations, leveraging AI responsibly and working efficiently under tight deadlines
- Project management experience and a proven ability to help manage multiple deliverables in a fast-paced environment while able to think quickly
- Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to manage internal and external relationships
- Well-versed in current events and headline news at local, national, and international levels
- Active personal network within the policy or financial services communities
At this time, Capital One will not sponsor a new applicant for employment authorization for this position.
The minimum and maximum full-time annual salaries for this role are listed below, by location. Please note that this salary information is solely for candidates hired to perform work within one of these locations, and refers to the amount Capital One is willing to pay at the time of this posting. Salaries for part-time roles will be prorated based upon the agreed upon number of hours to be regularly worked.
Richmond, VA: $122,100 - $139,400 for Communications ManagerMcLean, VA: $134,400 - $153,300 for Communications Manager
Candidates hired to work in other locations will be subject to the pay range associated with that location, and the actual annualized salary amount offered to any candidate at the time of hire will be reflected solely in the candidate’s offer letter.
This role is also eligible to earn performance based incentive compensation, which may include cash bonus(es) and/or long term incentives (LTI). Incentives could be discretionary or non discretionary depending on the plan.Capital One offers a comprehensive, competitive, and inclusive set of health, financial and other benefits that support your total well-being. Learn more at the Capital One Careers website. Eligibility varies based on full or part-time status, exempt or non-exempt status, and management level.
This role is expected to accept applications for a minimum of 5 business days.No agencies please. Capital One is an equal opportunity employer (EOE, including disability/vet) committed to non-discrimination in compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. Capital One promotes a drug-free workplace. Capital One will consider for employment qualified applicants with a criminal history in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable laws regarding criminal background inquiries, including, to the extent applicable, Article 23-A of the New York Correction Law; San Francisco, California Police Code Article 49, Sections 4901-4920; New York City’s Fair Chance Act; Philadelphia’s Fair Criminal Records Screening Act; and other applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations regarding criminal background inquiries.If you have visited our website in search of information on employment opportunities or to apply for a position, and you require an accommodation, please contact Capital One Recruiting at 1-800-304-9102 or via email at RecruitingAccommodation@capitalone.com. All information you provide will be kept confidential and will be used only to the extent required to provide needed reasonable accommodations.
For technical support or questions about Capital One's recruiting process, please send an email to Careers@capitalone.com
Capital One does not provide, endorse nor guarantee and is not liable for third-party products, services, educational tools or other information available through this site.
Capital One Financial is made up of several different entities. Please note that any position posted in Canada is for Capital One Canada, any position posted in the United Kingdom is for Capital One Europe and any position posted in the Philippines is for Capital One Philippines Service Corp. (COPSSC).
See All 8 Communications Lead Jobs in Virginia
Find roles in Virginia that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Communications Lead JobsCommunications Lead Jobs by City in Virginia
Where Virginia roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Communications Lead Job Market in Virginia
A snapshot from current Virginia openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring



What Virginia Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in communications lead jobs across Virginia.
- Bachelor's degree in communications, public relations, journalism, or a related field required
- Five or more years of progressive communications or public relations experience typically expected
- Demonstrated experience developing and executing integrated communications strategies across multiple channels
- Strong writing, editing, and messaging skills for both internal and external audiences required
- Experience working with media, government stakeholders, or federal clients preferred in Virginia
- Proficiency with content management systems, email marketing platforms, and digital analytics tools
Communications Lead Jobs in Virginia: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a communications lead in Virginia?
Most communications leads in Virginia enter the field with a bachelor's degree in communications, public relations, journalism, or marketing, then build several years of experience in coordinator or specialist roles before stepping into a lead position. Virginia does not require a state-issued license for communications professionals, but candidates working with government contractors or federal agencies often strengthen their candidacy with accreditation from the Public Relations Society of America, such as the Accredited in Public Relations credential.
Which companies hire communications leads in Virginia?
Employers hiring communications leads in Virginia right now include MITRE, Q2Impact, and Capital One, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Virginia's dense concentration of defense contractors, federal agencies, utilities, and large health systems means communications lead roles appear consistently across both the public and private sectors throughout the year.
Which Virginia cities have the most communications lead jobs?
The Virginia cities with the most communications lead openings are McLean, Arlington, and Quantico. Northern Virginia's concentration of federal agencies, defense contractors, and technology firms drives the largest share of demand, while Richmond's government, finance, and healthcare sectors anchor hiring in the central part of the state, and Hampton Roads' military installations and port-related industries generate steady communications roles in the southeast.
Are there remote communications lead jobs in Virginia?
Yes, and more than most fields, since communications lead work is largely desk-based and centered on writing, strategy, and stakeholder coordination. About 25% of communications lead openings tied to Virginia are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, reflecting the role's strong fit with distributed work arrangements. Media relations, content strategy, and internal communications functions tend to be the most consistently remote, while roles tied to government or federal contractor environments more often require on-site presence.
How can I get hired as a communications lead in Virginia with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is starting as a communications coordinator, public affairs specialist, or marketing associate with a Virginia employer and building toward a lead role over two to four years. Large Virginia employers such as Booz Allen Hamilton, Dominion Energy, and major Northern Virginia health systems like Inova run rotational programs and associate pipelines that place early-career candidates into communications teams. A portfolio of writing samples, a completed internship with a Virginia government agency or nonprofit, or the Public Relations Society of America's student certification can strengthen a candidacy considerably.
Where can I find and apply to communications lead jobs in Virginia?
You can find and apply to communications lead jobs in Virginia on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings across the state. Search the available roles, find the ones that fit your background and location, and apply directly to the employers posting them.
See All 8 Communications Lead Jobs in Virginia
Find roles in Virginia that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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