Lab Communications Specialist III-1

Job Details

New ideas are all around us, but only a few will change the world. That’s our focus at JPL. We ask the biggest questions, then search the universe for answers—literally. We build upon ideas that have guided generations, then share our discoveries to inspire generations to come. Your mission—your opportunity—is to seek out the answers that bring us one step closer. If you’re driven to discover, create, and inspire something that lasts a lifetime and beyond, you’re ready for JPL.

Located in Pasadena, California, JPL has a campus-like environment situated on 177 acres in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains and offers a work environment unlike any other: we inspire passion, foster innovation, build collaboration, and reward excellence.

Responsibilities:

The Lab Communications Specialist is a passionate champion of JPL’s mission. In this role, you will partner across the Lab to develop and execute strategic communications that align priorities, strengthen employee engagement, and foster pride in the Lab’s mission and culture.

Reporting to the Manager, Lab Communications, you will help employees stay informed about the missions, initiatives, and organizational updates that shape the employee experience. Through thoughtful storytelling, compelling content, and integrated communications campaigns, you will connect employees to JPL and provide the context they need to stay informed, engaged, and connected.

As a trusted partner to Lab leadership and stakeholders, you will provide strategic communications counsel, translate complex information into clear and accessible messaging, support leaders through organizational change, and deliver communications across multiple channels with consistency and care. This high-impact role requires strong collaboration skills, attention to detail, sound judgment, and the ability to develop meaningful communications.

Tasks include but are not limited to:

• Execute against an integrated internal communications strategy that supports Lab-wide priorities, initiatives, and organizational goals

• Serve as a primary point of contact for key partners across directorates, embedding within teams to develop strategic communications for high-priority initiatives, organizational change, and employee engagement opportunities

• Develop and deliver clear, effective communications across multiple channels, including articles, events, videos, digital graphics, talking points, memos, and other materials that support Lab priorities

• Identify, shape, and elevate compelling stories across the Lab—highlighting the people behind the work and operational excellence behind key programs and projects

• Shape and produce internal video storytelling from concept to delivery, leveraging video as a key communications channel to connect employees to JPL’s missions, people, and culture

• Organize and manage communication workflows, including scheduling releases, coordinating approvals, and ensuring consistency with JPL’s voice, tone, and standards

• Support the operations and troubleshooting of internal communications platforms, including the intranet and digital signage systems

• Monitor internal channels and feedback loops to assess effectiveness, ensure message clarity, and identify opportunities for improvement

• Apply communications metrics and employee engagement insights to evaluate performance and inform continuous improvement of campaigns and content strategy

• Stay informed on industry trends and emerging best practices to identify opportunities to improve tools, messaging, workflows, and channels

• Leverage technology, tools, and AI to enhance communications effectiveness and employee experience

• Assist with execution of internal campaigns, events, and project rollouts in partnership with other Lab Communications team members, as needed

Qualifications:

• Typically requires a Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, journalism or related discipline with a minimum of 6 years of related work experience; or Master’s degree in similar disciplines with a minimum of 4 years of related work experience or PhD in similar disciplines with a minimum of 2 years of related work experience.

• Proven Exceptional project and stakeholder management skills with a proven ability to lead complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives in fast-paced, highly collaborative environments, demonstrating end-to-end ownership from concept through publication, including coordinating contributors, managing deliverables, and ensuring quality control

• Strong verbal and written communication skills that support effective partnership and collaboration across multiple stakeholder groups, with a high level of attention to detail

• Data-driven mindset with experience using analytics and employee feedback to inform strategy and measure effectiveness

• Demonstrated knowledge of current industry trends to ensure messaging aligns with employee expectations and employer brand best practices

• Ability to build clear, concise, and visually effective presentations in PowerPoint or Google Slides

Preferred Skills:

• Prior experience working on an internal communications team

• Experience in video production and graphic design

• Experience using email and communications platforms, including Workshop

• Knowledge of aerospace, research, technology, or similarly complex technical environments

JPL has a catalog of benefits and perks that span from the traditional to the unique. This includes a variety of health, dental, vision, wellbeing, and retirement plans, paid time off, learning, rideshare, childcare, flexible schedule, parental leave and many more. Our focus is on work-life balance, and living healthy, fulfilling lives as we Dare Mighty Things Together. For benefits eligible positions, benefits are effective the first day of the month coincident with or immediately following the employee’s start date.

For further benefits information click Benefits and Perks

The hiring range displayed below is specifically for those who will work in or reside in the location listed. In extending an offer, Jet Propulsion Laboratory considers factors including, but not limited to, the candidate’s job related skills, experience, knowledge, and relevant education/training.

The typical full time equivalent annual hiring range for this job in Pasadena, California.

JPL is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy or perceived pregnancy, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, protected military or veteran status or any other characteristic or condition protected by Federal, state or local law.

In addition, JPL is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

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Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision

The Jet Propulsion Laboratory is a federal facility. Due to rules imposed by NASA, JPL will not accept applications from citizens of designated countries or those born in a designated country unless they are U.S. Citizens, Legal Permanent Residents of the U.S or have other protected status under 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3). The Designated Countries List is available here.