Communications Specialist

Steampunk•McLean, VA

2d•$100,000 - $120,000

About The Position

As a Communications Specialist, you will contribute to branding, messaging, and stakeholder communications strategy for a federal client’s Office of Data and AI. You will build and maintain the office’s identity and communications systems, produce recurring leadership communications and newsletters, and facilitate engagement forums connecting data, analytics, and AI initiatives with stakeholders and end users. The position involves creating brand assets and visual materials, developing executive communications, supporting initiative and tool rollouts, coordinating user research and feedback, and partnering with communications teams and client stakeholders. You will also maintain communications collaboration spaces, measure communication effectiveness, and ensure high-quality deliverables across projects.

Requirements

Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance.
Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, or a related field and 10 or more years of experience in communications, marketing, journalism, brand strategy, or a related field; alternatively, a master’s degree in Engineering, Business, or a related field and 8 or more years of relevant experience.
Demonstrated experience developing brand identity assets, such as logos, templates, and style guides.
Experience producing newsletters, briefs, or other recurring stakeholder communications.
Experience facilitating meetings, workshops, or speaker series with senior stakeholders.
Proficiency in Microsoft PowerPoint and SharePoint.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills and strong attention to detail, including the ability to translate technical data, analytics, and AI concepts for non-technical audiences.
Experience handling sensitive or personally identifiable information (PII) in accordance with data protection practices.
Ability to manage multiple concurrent projects and stakeholders in a fast-paced environment.
Experience working in a project-based, client-facing consulting environment.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with graphic design tools such as Adobe Creative Suite or Canva.
Previous work experience with a federal government client, ideally DoD or DHS.
Familiarity with data, analytics, or AI concepts and terminology sufficient to communicate them to general audiences.
Experience coordinating hackathons, challenges, or innovation events.
PMP or equivalent certification.

Responsibilities

Develop and maintain brand identity assets, including logos, templates, and style guides, for the office and its data, analytics, and AI initiatives and products.
Draft, design, and publish recurring newsletters and program updates for senior client stakeholders.
Plan and facilitate stakeholder engagement forums, including speaker series, working groups, and communities of practice on data, analytics, and AI topics.
Develop executive-level briefs, talking points, and presentation materials for senior leadership audiences.
Support rollout efforts for office initiatives and tools, including go-to-market communications plans, user solicitation campaigns, and beta program coordination.
Coordinate and synthesize user research and feedback sessions, such as interviews and demos, to inform product and communications strategy, handling sensitive and personal information appropriately.
Design graphics and visual assets, including icons, thumbnails, and seals, to support application launches and office communications.
Partner with cross-functional communications teams and client stakeholders to align messaging across concurrent data, analytics, and AI initiatives.
Maintain SharePoint sites, distribution lists, and internal collaboration spaces supporting office communications.
Track and report communication effectiveness, such as newsletter engagement and distribution-list growth, to inform strategy adjustments.
Ensure deliverables across a variety of projects are produced at the highest quality.