Strategic Communications Specialist – SOARC (CD&I)

This position is in the Secretariat for Special Operations (SSO), Office of the Assistant Secretary of War for Special Operations and Low-Intensity Conflict (OASW(SO/LIC)). The ASW(SO/LIC) serves as the principal civilian advisor and assistant to the Secretary of War and has statutory responsibility for overseeing special operations-peculiar administrative matters pertaining to the readiness and organization of special operations forces (SOF), resources and equipment, and civilian personnel.

Specialist will support strategic communications, public affairs, and stakeholder engagement activities in support of Department of War (DoW) priorities. They will serve as a senior communications advisor and principal writer, developing clear, accurate, and audience-appropriate communications products for senior civilian leaders.

Specialist will plan, coordinate, and execute communication efforts that explain organizational priorities, initiatives, capabilities, and outcomes to internal and external stakeholders. The position requires sound judgment, exceptional writing and editing ability, and the ability to translate complex policy, operational, technical, and programmatic information into concise, compelling narratives.

Specialist will work across the organization to synchronize messaging, anticipate communication requirements, and ensure products are aligned with leadership intent and applicable DoW public affairs policies and processes.

• →Serve as a technical expert for communications-related activities.
• →Develop and implement strategic communication plans, themes, messages, and engagement approaches supporting organizational priorities and senior-leader objectives. 
• →Draft, edit, and coordinate high-quality communication products, including:

Talking points, speeches, scripts, leader messages, and remarks

• →
  • →Briefing materials, fact sheets, and slide decks
  • →`Social-media content
  • →Press releases, articles, and press-packet materials.
• →Translate complex policy, operational, technical, acquisition, readiness, and resource information into clear products tailored to internal, interagency, congressional, industry, media, and public audiences, as appropriate. 
• →Create accessible narratives, executive-level talking points, and briefing products that explain acquisition priorities, capability development efforts, modernization milestones, and emerging technology initiatives.
• →Advise senior leaders and staff on messaging, communication opportunities, reputational risks, and effective approaches for communicating sensitive or high-visibility initiatives. 
• →Coordinate with public affairs, legislative affairs, policy, legal, security, operational, and technical stakeholders to ensure communication products are accurate, timely, synchronized, and properly staffed. 
• →Partner with acquisition, capability development, research and engineering, and other technical subject-matter experts to communicate program objectives, progress, outcomes, and stakeholder impact accurately.
• →Support the planning and execution of senior leader engagements, conferences, ceremonies, visits, and other events by developing agendas, read-a heads, background materials, talking points, and follow-up communications. 
• →Proactively conduct communications research and environmental scanning to identify emerging issues, stakeholder concerns, media narratives, and opportunities to proactively communicate organizational priorities. 
• →Maintain communication calendars, task trackers, product libraries, and status reports to support timely leadership decision-making and coordinated execution. 
• →Ensure communication activities comply with applicable DoW policies, release procedures, security requirements, and records-management requirements. 
• →Perform other strategic communications, public affairs, and executive-support duties as assigned.

• Must be a U.S. citizen and possess an active TS clearance with the ability to obtain SCI.
• Minimum of 6+ years of relevant work experience
• Minimum of 3+ years in strategic communications, public affairs, public policy communications, journalism, corporate communications, or a related field.
• Undergraduate degree. Direct operational experience may be substituted for this academic requirement.
• Exceptional writing, editing, proofreading, and verbal communication skills, with demonstrated ability to produce executive-level products for senior leaders.
• Experience developing visual communications products, including briefing decks, infographics, and data visualizations.
• Proven ability to synthesize complex information, identify key themes, and communicate recommendations clearly and concisely.

• Experience supporting DoW, Joint Staff, Office of the Secretary of War, Military Department, Combatant Command, or other federal-government strategic communications or public affairs activities.
• Experience developing strategic communications or public affairs materials for defense acquisition, capability development and integration (CD&I), research and engineering (R&E), modernization, or emerging technology programs is highly desirable.
• Familiarity with technical and programmatic topics such as capability gaps, requirements, technology transition, and acquisition milestones, with the ability to explain them to nontechnical and executive audiences.
• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in communications, public affairs, journalism, English, political science, public policy, marketing, or a related discipline is a plus.
• Training at the Defense Information School (DINFOS) is a plus.
• Experience advising and preparing senior executive leaders for media engagements, congressional engagements, public events, and stakeholder meetings.
• Familiarity with DoW public affairs processes, communication planning, media analysis, digital communications, and release-review procedures.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally, as required.
  
  

This position is benefits eligible. Our suite of benefits includes Health, Dental, Vision, 401k w/ match, Gym Membership discounts, Volunteer Paid Time Off, and a generous PTO package. We'd love to tell you more! Apply today!

We believe great talent comes from many backgrounds and experiences. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and make all employment decisions based on merit, qualifications, and business needs. We are committed to maintaining a workplace free from discrimination and harassment, consistent with all applicable laws.