DESCRIPTION

The Strategic Communications Specialist (Senior) analyzes political, legal, and technical trends and influences in strategic communications for leadership. The Strategic Communications Specialist (Senior) performs quantitative and qualitative analysis using advanced analytics to identify communication risks, propose collaborative communications opportunities, and develop courses of action analysis for leadership review and decision-making. . This position spans Graphics Design, Public Affairs, Digital Media, Multimedia, and Event Management.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant field (e.g. Strategic Communications, Public Affairs, Public Relations, Journalism, etc.) or an additional two (2) years of experience
• 8+ years of experience in communications, media programs, relationship building, branding strategies, or program coordination focusing on purposeful communication within a DoD, federal, or military environment
• Demonstrated expertise in Microsoft PowerPoint and Excel, including advanced features such as pivot tables, data visualization, and macros
• Proven ability to analyze political, legal, and technical documents and translate them into strategic messaging or risk communication materials
• Strong understanding of DoD acquisition programs, logistics, operations, and how they affect communications strategies.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities with precision under tight timelines
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including experience developing talking points, speeches, executive summaries, and stakeholder messaging
• Ability to synthesize complex technical information into clear, actionable communication materials for diverse audiences
• Strong interpersonal and customer service skills, with the ability to understand task requirements, explain solutions clearly, and respond quickly to time-sensitive leadership requests
• Demonstrated ability to work independently with minimal supervision, showing initiative and sound judgment in dynamic environments
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including SharePoint, and Teams
• Proficiency with Design Software such as Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft PowerPoint and Visio, and additional design software that is currently the industry standard for providing creative and innovative solutions for displaying complex information in a visual product that can be understood by senior leaders, stakeholders, Congressional staffers, etc.
• Must possess and maintain a Secret Security Clearance

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Familiarity with U.S. Army or DoD acquisition, program lifecycle, and organizational structures
• Understanding of military rank hierarchy, staffing channels, and decision-making protocols
• Experience operating in an Agile program office or applying Agile practices in operational or planning environments
• Familiarity with strategic branding and stakeholder engagement frameworks in a government or defense setting.
• Experience developing risk communications strategies in response to public affairs risks or reputational threats
• Demonstrated ability to lead editorial content cycles, including newsletters, public-facing articles, and technical publications
• Exposure to performance management, workflow optimization, or continuous improvement methodologies
• Experience coordinating or managing team activities aligned with Agile cadences such as sprint planning, retrospectives, or backlog reviews
• History of preparing white papers, strategic reports, or decision briefs for senior leaders
  If you require a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the hiring official or human resources representative. Reasonable accommodations are provided to individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

• Develop stakeholder communications and outreach plan linking internal and external communications
• Incorporate technical, logistics, operations and acquisition analysis of strengths, weaknesses and opportunities into a comprehensive plan for external communications with Program Manager (PM) stakeholders and for internal communications to best support PM objectives
• Maintain awareness and provide regular reports on long range strategies and trends of higher headquarters within the Department of Defense (DoD)
• Develop communication plans for initiatives that support leadership priorities (e.g., events, program achievements, progress)
• Address reactive issues
• Establish strategic relationships with leadership (all level) to align and develop strategic communications
• Develop and report on metrics to measure the effectiveness of communications
• Maintain a library of talking points highlighting current contract actions, priorities, etc.
• Develop branding strategies as they relate to Government approved communications objectives
• Prepare presentations for boards, committees, executives, and senior leadership teams
• Develop and maintain relationships with media
• Coordinate interviews and speaking engagements
• Prepare talking points, slides, Congressional testimony summaries, media summaries, and reporting engagements to higher headquarters
• Draft and edit articles for submission to publications such as Army.mil, Defense Visual Information Distribution Service (DVIDS), U.S. Army Acquisition Program Portfolio (A2P2), and Army AL&T magazine
• Draft and edit written products in the form of policies, workforce messages, fact sheets, briefings, etc. that clearly relay key messages, purposes, and plans, and adhere to requirements for internal and external audiences; provide editorial guidance to subordinate program offices
• Perform final quality assurance and quality control reviews on communication products prior to distribution to the public
• Coordinate matters that are or may become the subject of congressional interest, inquire, or investigation, including monitoring and assessment, written responses, and leader preparation; adhere with AR 1-20 regulatory guidance and directives
• Compile and develop content for internal newsletters (weekly)
• Layout, draft, staff, and distribute a completed newsletter
• Create short-form video, graphics and visuals to help communicate key themes and messages
• Coordinate participation in conferences and events
• Coordinate and lead official ceremonies, serving as the protocol expert.
• Track and report upcoming internal organization and industry sponsored conferences
• Preparing talking points, brochures, and displays as necessary
• Track upcoming awards nomination periods (internal organization and industry sponsored) and assist preparation and staffing of the award nomination packages
• Maintain a photo library
• Perform Event Management in adherence with AR 360-1 Ch. 4-4, 4-6, Ch. 6, and Ch. 7; AR 1-50; AR 600-25 and DA PAM 600-60 regulatory guidance and directives, including planning, exhibits, industry days, supporting materials, protocol, conference management, and speakers bureau management
• Perform Digital Media Management in adherence with AR 360-1 regulatory guidance and directives, including social media management, websites, video support, live streaming, and podcasts
• Perform Graphic Design in adherence with AR 360-1 & DA PAM 25-91 regulatory guidance and directives, including producing and maintaining education materials, providing photography support, and updating and maintaining branding guidelines
• Develop training materials and support communication training sessions to prepare leadership for speaking events and media interviews.
• Deliverables, to include, but not be limited to: Reports, Public Affairs materials, briefings, information papers, Digital Media products and communications, Analyses