Speechwriter (Ft. Detrick, MD)

Job Title: Speechwriter (Ft. Detrick, MD)

Company: BLN24

About Us: We find strength in teamwork-a better you is a better us
BLN24 is an award-winning Management Consulting Firm that supports the U.S. Federal Government in successfully achieving their mission and goals. Our service and solutions delivery start with understanding each client’s end-state, and then seamlessly integrating within each Agency’s organization to improve and enhance strategic and technical operations and deployments.

Position Overview:

BLN24 is seeking a highly skilled and adaptable Speechwriter to support strategic communications and engagement activities for our federal client. This role involves crafting compelling speeches, talking points, and written materials that clearly communicate complex ideas to diverse audiences. The ideal candidate is flexible, responsive to direction, and quick to incorporate feedback, and brings direct experience operating within a military environment and adhering to established Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). They will also be an excellent interviewer, researcher, and storyteller, with experience writing in Associated Press (AP) style, web style, and in compliance with operational security guidelines.

What Success Looks Like in This Role:
This is a fast-paced role embedded alongside senior military leadership, and the priority for this position is a candidate who is flexible, quick to adapt to feedback, and comfortable working within a military environment and its established SOPs. The right person adjusts readily as priorities shift, turns leadership edits and direction around quickly and without friction, and understands how to operate inside the rhythms, protocols, and chain-of-command expectations of a military organization.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct strategic communications and writing support to senior military leadership (specifically, the Major General and other senior subject matter experts), operating within established SOPs and the norms of a military environment.
• Incorporate feedback and direction from leadership rapidly and iteratively, adapting tone, content, and approach as priorities evolve.
• Collaborate with writers, editors, and engagement personnel to develop story ideas, speech concepts, and content strategies.
• Interview subject matter experts to gather insights on complex topics and translate them into clear, plain-language speeches and articles.
• Write and edit speeches, talking points, and other materials for executive leadership, following AP style and web style standards.
• Rapidly research topics and prepare leadership remarks for: Industry and academic events (e.g., City of Frederick events, GEMS program graduations, SMART PROC Conference). Military events (e.g., AUSA, MHSRS, MMPD).
• Draft plain-language newsletter articles and other communications for publication.
• Create high-quality PowerPoint presentations to support speeches and engagements.
• Attend speaking engagements to observe and adapt presentation styles
• Participate in calendar coordination meetings to ensure coverage and awareness of key events.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship and ability to obtain and maintain a Public Trust clearance.
• Demonstrated flexibility and adaptability, with a proven ability to respond quickly to feedback and adjust deliverables under shifting priorities and tight timelines.
• Experience working within a military environment and operating in compliance with established Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Journalism, English, Public Relations, or related field preferred.
• Demonstrated experience writing speeches, executive communications strategies, articles, and other thought leadership for a senior executive (preferably in the military and/or federal government).
• Proficiency in AP style and familiarity with web content best practices.
• Ability to translate technical or complex information into clear, persuasive, and engaging content.
• Strong research skills and the ability to meet tight deadlines.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• Knowledge of military and federal government operations strongly preferred.

Work Environment & Equipment

• Primary Place of Performance: Onsite at the Government facility, 810 Schreider Street, Fort Detrick, MD.
• Surge support may be required at other Fort Detrick locations or other designated sites.
• Government will provide access to office space, computer, software, phone, and standard office supplies.
• For the first six months of a new contract employee's start, the contractor must provide a temporary laptop until the Government-issued computer is available.

What BLN24 brings to the Game:
BLN24 benefits are game changing. We like our team to play hard and that means they need to be taken care of — physically, financially, and emotionally. We make sure to keep them in the game by giving them access to generous medical, dental, and vision plans.

• You can join one of the fastest growing companies headquartered in the Washington DC Metro Area.  We give you the opportunity to work in different sectors, so you have the chance at variety while maintaining stability.
• Flexibility at BLN24 allows each individual the opportunity to balance quality work and their personal lives. Depending on projects, we allow remote working opportunities so you can always be in the game no matter where you call home.

BLN24 is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe people are our strength and understand diverse talents are key to our success. We are an equal opportunity employer and place a high value on diversity and inclusion at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of any protected attribute, including race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital or veteran status, pregnancy or disability, or any other basis protected under applicable law. In accordance with applicable law, we make reasonable accommodations for applicants' and employees' religious practices and beliefs, as well as any mental health or physical disability needs.