Caitlin Hayden, Communications SVP at BAE Systems

Caitlin Hayden, who has more than 20 years of experience in national security and communications, serves as BAE Systems’ senior vice president for communications. At BAE, she is tasked with driving the company’s global narrative around its portfolio of products and services.

As communications SVP, she is responsible for managing all external and internal communications for BAE, which employs more than 35,000 people across Sweden, the U.K. and the U.S., according to Hayden’s profile posted on the company website.

Specifically, Hayden’s role includes crafting and implementing communications strategies and developing messages for various communication media and channels.

She is also a member of the U.S. headquarters senior leadership team and BAE’s Global Communications Council. According to her LinkedIn profile, Hayden joined BAE in 2019 after nearly two years as communications VP at the Aerospace Industries Association.

She entered the private sector in 2015, when she joined global communications firm Edelman as SVP of international media strategies and public affairs.

Prior to joining the private sector, she worked at the U.S. Department of Energy, the National Security Council and the Department of State. Her previous roles included working as deputy public affairs officer and embassy spokesperson at the State Department, special assistant to President Barack Obama and spokesperson for the NSC.

Hayden is a graduate of the University of Alabama with a bachelor’s degree in public relations. She also holds a master’s degree in mass communications from the University of Georgia.