Senior Strategist (Communication Planning)

M&C Saatchi World Services is a full-service marketing company renowned for using commercial advertising to solve the world’s toughest challenges. World Services is a specialty branch of M&C Saatchi Group, and we provide strategic communications, behavior change, and marketing support to Public Sector clients with special emphasis on the US Federal Government and State, Local, Tribal, & Territorial leaders.

M&C Saatchi World Services is seeking an experienced Senior Strategist to lead the development and execution of integrated communications strategies that drive awareness, influence perceptions, and shape behaviors across a diverse portfolio of federal and Department of Defense programs. Serving as a senior strategic leader, you will guide enterprise-level communications planning, narrative development, and stakeholder engagement efforts that support mission objectives and organizational priorities.

Working closely with account teams, creative specialists, researchers, analysts, stakeholder engagement professionals, and senior client stakeholders, you will translate complex challenges into actionable communications strategies that deliver measurable outcomes. however, the ideal candidate will live in the greater NYC area or the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia (DMV) region, and be able to commute regularly to Washington, DC or New York office spaces.

Lead the development and implementation of integrated communications strategies that support organizational priorities, stakeholder engagement objectives, and mission outcomes.

• Serve as the senior strategic advisor on messaging, narrative development, communications planning, and audience engagement approaches.
• Develop enterprise messaging frameworks, communications playbooks, strategic guidance documents, and campaign roadmaps.
• Provide strategic counsel to leadership regarding communications risks, opportunities, stakeholder perceptions, and narrative positioning.
• Guide audience research, stakeholder analysis, behavioral insights, and communications assessments to inform strategy development.
• Lead the creation of strategic briefs, communications plans, creative briefs, messaging frameworks, and content direction for multidisciplinary teams.
• Ensure consistency and alignment of messaging across digital, print, media, stakeholder engagement, and executive communications channels.
• Collaborate with creative, content, media, analytics, stakeholder engagement, UX, and program teams to ensure communications strategies are effectively executed.
• Evaluate campaign effectiveness and communications performance through the application of measurement frameworks, audience insights, and impact assessments.
• Support executive communications, leadership engagements, policy communications, and high-profile stakeholder initiatives.
• Provide strategic oversight and mentorship to junior strategists and communications professionals while fostering a culture of collaboration and continuous learning.
• Identify opportunities for innovation, process improvement, and new approaches that strengthen communications effectiveness and audience impact.
• Contribute to business growth efforts by supporting proposal development, strategic planning activities, and client engagement opportunities.
• Strong understanding of communications planning, audience research, behavioral science principles, narrative development, and stakeholder engagement methodologies.
• Experience incorporating AI-enabled research, audience intelligence, and trend analysis tools into communications, engagement, and strategic planning efforts.
• Experience advising senior leaders and stakeholders on communications strategy, messaging, risk management, and audience engagement.
• Outstanding writing, presentation, facilitation, and communication skills with the ability to distill complex issues into clear and actionable recommendations.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams and collaborating across creative, research, analytics, stakeholder engagement, media, and account functions.
• Strong understanding of communications measurement, campaign evaluation, audience segmentation, and performance analysis.
• Experience supporting federal government, Department of Defense, international development, public affairs, national security, or mission-driven communications programs is preferred.
• Knowledge of behavioral change communications, stakeholder engagement frameworks, audience intelligence, or strategic influence methodologies is preferred.
• Government security clearance, as required by the position.
• Degree or relevant experience in Communications, Public Affairs, Strategic Communications, Journalism, Political Science, International Relations, Marketing, Behavioral Science, or a related field preferred.
• Language Requirements: Fluent written and spoken English required.

S. Citizenship: Must be a United States Citizen (required by government contract).

• Government Secret or Top Secret security clearance immediately upon employment.
• Background Screening: Must be willing to submit to a rigorous federal background investigation, which includes an in-depth review of personal finances, criminal history, employment history, and drug use.

Collaborate with high-performing cross-functional teams across communications, digital and analytics disciplines.

• Flexible hybrid working environment.
• We offer a competitive salary and a benefits package designed to support your health, family life, financial wellbeing, and growth. Choice of three medical plans (HSA at $0 cost; PPO 65% employer funded) • 70% employer-funded dental and vision coverage
• Generous paid time off, sick leave, and company holidays, including an office closure between Christmas & New Year's
• Gym membership reimbursement and/or Wellhub subscription