Sr. Communications Strategist

Description

In this position serve as the communications strategist for the contract. Assist the government in developing, planning, and executing a communications campaign to gain stakeholder confidence with change management strategies and share information. This includes creating a robust and strategic communications plan, providing communications planning support, including a corporate identify, brochures, logos, website content, social media, and handouts.

Develop a thorough understanding of the DoD target audiences (i.e., federal civilians, DoD human resources and other functional communities, military veterans, transitioning service members, students, family members civilian employees, military supervisors of civilians, labor union members, and prospective employees at large) to develop persuasive, effective communications. Expertly assess all agency audiences and stakeholders by each group’s needs, challenges, pain points, other special characteristics and produce associated plans to meet strategic communication needs.

Determine what each target audience needs to know and wants to hear, and what the agency wants each audience to know and think about the agency brand, crafting the purpose and intent of communications to each audience including change management approaches.

Analyze existing strategic communication plans and provide recommendations. Assist the government with updating strategic communication plans.

Leverage Change Management methodology to develop important messaging plans and tools for delivering important messages to internal and external Department of Defense (DoD) stakeholders about program updates and events (e.g., publishing of civilian human resources new and/or changes to policies, programs, and/or services impacting the DoD civilian workforce, conferences, training events). These tools shall include rules for crafting and delivering messages via phone, email, meetings, teleconferences, web conferences, websites, social media, and via other communication vehicles and even.

Research and assist with implementing best practices/interactive tools for increased “user experience” with the agency website; e.g., job search integration with USAJobs.gov, social media feeds, interactive job category search and description capability, and other cutting-edge technology to assist the internal and external DoD consumers about being a federal “civilian” within the department.

Assist the government with identifying target audiences who are the ultimate consumers of the civilian IT portfolio for messaging and informational materials and outreach Assist the government in developing, planning, and executing a communications campaign to gain stakeholder confidence with change management strategies and share information. Campaign shall be executed through integrated print, broadcast, online, and PR efforts. For example, this includes assisting government in creating a robust and strategic communications plan, providing communications planning support (including materials such as corporate identity logos), brochures, website content, social media, handouts (printouts, signs, and posters), etc Provide subject matter expertise in support of special events, trainings, briefings and onsite outreach events.

Track, maintain, and provide monthly comprehensive metrics to assess the effectiveness of communication plans and initiatives.

Develop and measure Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to measure success and effectiveness of developed branding, outreach and communications strategies, change management, and messaging vehicles. Based on results, conduct research, studies, analysis, and reporting to develop recommendations and strategies.

Meet project deadlines; provide information for strategic plans and reviews; prepare action plans; identify and help to resolve problems.

Provide strategic assessment with a document that captures and documents tactics, techniques, procedures, lessons learned, and other practices that may be beneficial to the government.

Provide a monthly status report. Participate in a monthly functional review meeting to review status deliverables, discuss contract issues/concerns, etc. Review and approve timesheets and PTO requests for contract team members.

Assist with invoicing contract(s) as needed.

Requirements

• A Master's Degree in Communications, Business Administration or Project
• Management from an accredited college or university is required.
• Required ten (10) years of experience in strategic communications.
• Required five (5) years of experience leading communications efforts within the Department of Defense.
• Required three (3) years of experience in managing and leading teams.
• Ideal candidate will have a thorough knowledge of government statutes and regulations.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Department of Defense communication standards, government statutes and regulations is required.
• Resourceful and able to maintain composure in high pressure situations
• Maintain complete confidentiality, a strong sense of urgency; be proactive & self-directed, with a positive, approachable demeanor
• Excellent organizational skills with focus on accuracy and attention to detail
• Good judgment, tact and initiative to make effective independent decisions when necessary
• Ability to participate in cross training efforts and provide direct guidance to other areas within Strat Comm with the aim of maximizing team capability, knowledge and focus on promoting growth opportunities and strong customer feedback.
• Promote an atmosphere of respect, inclusiveness, openness and an approach to seek to understand.
• Demonstrated behavior to conduct oneself in an ethical manner ensuring confidentiality and a willingness to seek to understand.
• Sincere desire to work in an environment that promotes a fair, supportive, and inclusive work environment.
• Open to learning about one's own biases through individual and group workshops, education, interactions.
• Willingness and desire to pursue further educational opportunities, certifications related to operations, accounting, etc.
• Desire to actively participate in a workplace that is viewed as best practices.
• Ability to work autonomously and within a team.