Senior Communication Strategist/ DOD Experience/ Washington DC Area

Position Overview:
The Senior Communication Strategist will serve as a key onsite resource supporting the U.S. Army's Communication and Outreach Office (ACOO). This individual will be responsible for developing, coordinating, and executing strategic communication plans that advance the Army's mission. The role requires a deep understanding of Army operations and priorities..
The ideal candidate will possess demonstrated expertise in strategic communication planning. This position will work closely with ACOO leadership, subject matter experts, and military units to synchronize messaging efforts across digital, traditional, and internal communication channels.


Core Responsibilities:
Strategic Communication Planning

• Develop, lead, and execute comprehensive, multi-channel communication plans aligned with Army priorities and ACOO goals.

• Translate complex Army initiatives into clear, compelling narratives tailored to specific publics.).

Stakeholder and Interagency Coordination

• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders, including Army commands, DoW counterparts, and interagency partners to ensure synchronization.

Provide communication counsel to senior leaders and staff. Messaging and Content Strategy

• Draft communication products to support Army campaigns and high-profile initiatives.

• Shape content strategies for external-facing platforms and internal communication tools (e.g., Army.mil, intranet portals, and media kits).

Monitoring and Evaluation

• Monitor communication effectiveness using performance metrics, sentiment analysis, and stakeholder feedback, among other assessment means.

• Recommend adjustments to strategies and content based on real-time data, media coverage, and strategic assessments.

Situational Response

• Support rapid communication planning and crisis response efforts related to Army operations, national security issues, or reputational threats.

• Contribute to the development of contingency messaging, public statements, and internal communications during high-visibility incidents.

Required Qualifications:
Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Affairs, Journalism, Strategic Communication, or a related field. Master's degree preferred.
• APR+M preferred.

Experience:

• Minimum of 10 years of experience in public affairs, strategic communication, or media relations.

• Minimum of 5 years supporting military or federal agencies in a communication strategy or senior advisory capacity.

• Demonstrated success managing multi-faceted communication campaigns.

Skills & Competencies:

• Strong understanding of Army and DoD communication protocols, public affairs doctrine (e.g., JP 3-61), and the information environment.

• Proficiency in messaging development, campaign integration, and performance measurement.

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.

• Ability to work effectively under pressure and in a highly collaborative environment.

• Familiarity with digital platforms, social media strategy, and analytics tools.

Desirable Attributes:

• Previous experience working onsite at the Pentagon or within an Army command headquarters.

• Knowledge of Army structure, chain of command, and key communication challenges.

• Ability to distill complex policy or operational language into public-facing narratives.

• Active Secret Clearance (preferred).

Key Outcomes:

• Delivery of effective strategic communication plans aligned with Army priorities.

• Enhanced public understanding and trust in Army initiatives and capabilities.

• Strengthened message integration across ACOO campaigns, Army components, and external partners.

• Rapid, credible, and unified responses during emerging communication crises.

Clearance Required: Public Trust (or ability to obtain)

Location: The Pentagon, Arlington, Va