Senior Editor and Writer

Job Description

Job Description

About Akoya

We’re a woman-owned small business that delivers big results in strategic communications. For 25 years, Akoya has thrived in the government consulting landscape helping agencies launch new programs, leverage internal and external support, and drive their missions forward. Our strategic approach to communications increases the quality of services and makes Akoya a comfortable home for motivated communications professionals who value and rely on the idea-sharing and collaboration inherent in our corporate culture.

Senior Editor and Writer

Akoya is seeking a Senior Editor/Writer to join our team supporting the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). This is a federal contractor role working directly with senior executive leadership. As a contractor, this individual will write and edit a variety of communications products, including press releases, web articles, and newsletters, as well as senior executive talking points and speeches. The individual must be adaptable and capable of reprioritizing work in response to shifting deadlines, managing rapid-turnaround requests, and effectively navigating a complex matrixed environment while collaborating across multiple stakeholders.

The Senior Editor/Writer will be part of an Akoya communications team reporting to a contract manager. This role is ideal for an experienced communications professional with exceptional writing and editing skills who is comfortable working alongside senior government leaders in a fast-paced environment in Washington, DC.

Responsibilities Writing & Executive Communications (70%)

• Serve as a senior-level content editor for reports, web articles, press releases.
• Write executive briefing memos for stakeholder meetings, conferences, events, and media interviews.
• Develop talking points, key messages, and speaking materials for senior leadership that align with departmental messaging and the Administration’s priorities.
• Translate complex policy, technical, and programmatic information into concise, audience-specific communications for both internal and external communications products including weekly external newsletter.
• Collaborate with subject matter experts and program offices to gather information and ensure messaging is accurate, timely, and strategically aligned.
• Tailor messaging for a variety of audiences, including federal partners, industry stakeholders, media, and the public.
• Analyze channel data and metrics to inform future editorial decisions.

Editing & Quality Assurance (30%)

• Edit and proofread communications products for clarity, consistency, accuracy, grammar, punctuation, and style in accordance with DOE standards.
• Collaborate with communications staff and subject matter experts to refine messaging using plain language principles.
• Ensure all products meet quality standards and are delivered on deadline.

Project Management

• Maintain internal tracker of writing/editing projects.
• Coordinate with Akoya leadership to ensure contract requirements and SOPs are followed.

Requirements

• Minimum of seven years of professional experience and a bachelor’s degree, or five years of experience and a master’s degree, or five years of experience and a PhD. 
• U.S. citizenship is required with verbal and written fluency in English.
• Must be able to receive and maintain a federal security clearance (public trust level).
• Must be based in Washington, D.C. This onsite role will report to the federal client location daily.
• Availability for occasional work-related travel.
• Extensive experience leading content-development initiatives and collaborating with technical subject-matter experts.
• A positive, amicable approach to daily work and interpersonal interactions.
• Familiarity with responsible AI principles and practices.

Desired Qualifications

• Prior federal contracting experience is strongly preferred. 
• Experience in the energy sector preferred.

Base Compensation

• Base compensation: $120,000 to $130,000 annually. Actual compensation is subject to variation due to factors such as location, education, years of experience, and candidate skillset.

 

Employee Benefits

Akoya provides generous benefits for its full-time employees including:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) and profit sharing
• Eleven federal holidays and paid time off
• And more!

 

Akoya is committed to an equitable, diverse, inclusive, and accessible environment that has a positive effect on the hiring, retention, and ongoing support of all employees. Akoya is an Equal Opportunity Employer and, in compliance with applicable laws, ordinances, rules, and regulations, affords equal opportunities for all qualified persons without regard to race, color, religion, age, creed, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.