Communications Specialist - Senior Associate

Communications Specialist – Senior Associate Join our team of high-end strategy and management consultants and professionals who have served on the front lines of homeland security, law enforcement, criminal justice, emergency management, and the military. Have an immediate impact and grow your career quickly at the same time! Job Summary Lafayette Group is seeking a dynamic and experienced Communications Specialist to develop and execute strategic communications that amplify the release of cybersecurity products, guidance, alerts, and other public-facing materials for government stakeholders. The Communications Specialist will help craft communications across multiple platforms, including social media, press releases, stakeholder emails, web content, GovDelivery notifications, and more. This role requires a strong writer, strategic thinker, and communications professional who can translate complex cybersecurity information into clear, targeted messaging for external audiences while collaborating effectively, maintaining meticulous attention to detail, and supporting fast-moving communications efforts that remain aligned with agency priorities, key messages, and stakeholder needs. Job Responsibilities Develop strategic communications plans and messaging to support the release of cybersecurity products, guidance, alerts, advisories, reports, tools, and other public-facing materials. Craft targeted external messaging for a range of CISA stakeholders, including government partners, critical infrastructure owners and operators, industry, cybersecurity practitioners, media, and the public. Write, edit, and coordinate communications products across multiple channels, including social media posts, press releases, stakeholder emails, web content, email alert notifications, talking points, briefing materials, and message maps. Translate complex cybersecurity information into clear, accurate, audience-appropriate language that supports stakeholder awareness, understanding, and action. Partner with technical subject matter experts, product owners, program leads, external affairs staff, external stakeholders (e.g., U5, interagency), and other communications partners to shape product release strategies. Additionally, work across CSD to connect dots and fill information gaps to optimize customer service, stakeholder relationships, and information sharing. Create and manage Microsoft Teams chats and coordination channels for product and messaging alignment across the division, External Affairs, subject matter experts, and other stakeholders to support a cohesive communications approach and ensure teams are prepared for release-day rollout. Develop and maintain key messages, stakeholder-specific talking points, and communications materials that align with CISA priorities and external affairs objectives. Recommend the most effective communications channels, timing, and tactics to reach intended audiences and amplify product visibility. Support integrated communications campaigns that connect cybersecurity product releases to broader agency initiatives, priorities, and public messaging. Coordinate with social media, web, media relations, stakeholder engagement, and internal communications teams to ensure consistent messaging across platforms. Monitor cybersecurity news, stakeholder priorities, and emerging issues to inform communications planning and product release messaging. Support rapid-response communications for time-sensitive cybersecurity products, alerts, vulnerabilities, and emerging threat information. Ensure external communications are accurate, clear, timely, accessible, and consistent with approved style, branding, plain language, and clearance processes. Track communications tasks, timelines, reviews, and approvals to support coordinated and timely product releases. Provide guidance and quality control for communications products developed by junior staff or supporting team members. Required Qualifications Ability to obtain and maintain DHS Suitability (EOD). Bachelor's degree in communications, public affairs, public relations, journalism, marketing, English, or a related field. Six or more years of experience in communications, public affairs, public relations, media relations, external affairs, or strategic communications. Experience developing external messaging for public-facing campaigns, announcements, releases, or stakeholder communications. Excellent writing, editing, proofreading, and message development skills. Ability to translate technical or complex information into clear, concise, audience-focused communications. Experience coordinating communications products through review and approval processes. Ability to manage multiple assignments, deadlines, stakeholders, and communications channels in a fast-paced environment. Strong project management skills and ability to coordinate multiple communications products for different teams or initiatives at the same time. Desired Qualifications Experience supporting cybersecurity, technology, national security, homeland security, critical infrastructure, or science-based communications. Experience developing communications for federal government agencies or public-sector clients. Familiarity with CISA's cybersecurity mission, stakeholder audiences, and public-facing communications channels. Experience supporting product release communications, awareness campaigns, or integrated external affairs strategies. Experience working with technical subject matter experts to clarify complex concepts and develop accurate public-facing messaging. Location Hybrid / Client-site (Arlington, VA) Federal Contracts This position involves working on federal contracts that require all workers on the contract to be U.S. Citizens. Additionally, some contracts may require the ability to obtain a security clearance. Salary Range $75K-$90K LGI carefully considers various factors when determining salary, including but not limited to education and training, professional experience, knowledge, skills and competencies, licensure and certifications, contract-specific affordability, and organizational requirements. New employees are not usually hired at the top of the estimated salary range and salary decisions depend on the circumstances and factors for each case. Salary is only one aspect of LGI's generous total compensation package. Equal Employment Opportunity Lafayette Group provides equal employment opportunities to all persons and prohibits employment decisions based on race, religion, color, creed, national origin, sex, age, disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, and sexual orientation. Equal Opportunity Employer, including disabled and veterans. #J-18808-Ljbffr