Join Our Editorial Communications Talent Pipeline!

Altarum•Silver Spring, MD

3d•Onsite

About The Position

This posting is for a talent pipeline for experienced writers and editors interested in future embedded communications opportunities supporting a military health facility in Bethesda, Maryland. Altarum's Palladian Partners team creates clear, accurate, and compelling communications for federal health and public affairs clients. By applying, you express interest in potential future opportunities as client and contract needs develop. These opportunities may depend on future business needs, contract awards, funding decisions, or client requirements, and there may not be an immediate opening or confirmed hiring timeline. Future opportunities are expected to fall into two tracks: Writer/Journalist, focusing on feature stories, long-form content, leadership communications, and public affairs materials; and Editor, managing the editorial review process to ensure accuracy, clarity, consistency, and compliance. You would join an embedded communications team working closely with public affairs leadership, medical professionals, subject matter experts, and stakeholders at a military health facility. These positions require onsite work at the client site in Bethesda, Maryland, five days per week, with no remote or hybrid work anticipated.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree or higher in Communications, Journalism, English, or a related field
Approximately 5+ years of relevant professional experience
Deep expertise in either professional writing or professional editing
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills
Strong command of grammar, punctuation, and professional writing standards
An organized, proactive, action-oriented, and adaptable approach to managing projects and deadlines
Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build trusted relationships with a wide range of stakeholders
Demonstrated attention to detail and a commitment to accuracy and quality
The judgment and discretion required to work with sensitive information
An understanding of HIPAA and the safeguarding of Protected Health Information (PHI), or the ability to quickly develop that knowledge
Comfort working onsite five days per week at a military health facility in Bethesda, Maryland

Nice To Haves

Experience in healthcare communications, military public affairs, federal communications, or another regulated, high-visibility environment
Experience in journalism, communications, editing, copyediting, technical writing, or public affairs
Experience managing editorial calendars and multiple projects with competing deadlines
Experience working directly with senior leaders, clients, subject matter experts, and other stakeholders
Experience applying AP Style and professional editorial standards
Experience translating complex, technical, or medical information into clear, accessible communications
Experience managing work that requires a high level of accuracy, judgment, discretion, and attention to detail
For Writer/Journalist opportunities, demonstrated experience in interviewing, narrative storytelling, feature writing, and long-form journalism
For Editor opportunities, demonstrated expertise in substantive editing, copyediting, fact-checking, source verification, and managing complex editorial review and approval processes

Responsibilities

Develop and manage editorial calendars for print and long-form digital communications
Lead feature stories from initial concept and research through interviews, writing, multimedia coordination, review, and publication
Proactively identify compelling story ideas related to clinical advancements, research, patient experiences, staff achievements, and organizational priorities
Conduct thoughtful, sensitive interviews with patients, families, clinicians, military and civilian personnel, senior leaders, and subject matter experts
Develop news angles and balanced stories using information from multiple sources
Write and edit feature articles, news releases, web content, leadership messaging, speeches, briefings, and other communications
Apply Associated Press (AP) Style and established journalistic standards
Collaborate with photographers, videographers, graphic designers, and other communications professionals on multimedia story packages
Support media relations activities, including media inquiries, interviews, visits, briefings, and press events
Craft messaging for internal and external stakeholders
Support public affairs campaigns, crisis communications, community engagement activities, and leadership communications
Build strong relationships with internal subject matter experts and external communications contacts
Manage the end-to-end editorial lifecycle for public-facing written communications
Review, edit, and proofread articles, reports, web content, leadership messaging, and other materials for clarity, accuracy, grammar, consistency, and tone
Ensure content complies with AP Style, organizational style guides, applicable regulations, and client requirements
Conduct rigorous fact-checking and source verification, including review of medical and technical information
Work closely with clinical and administrative subject matter experts to validate content
Coordinate feedback and revisions among authors, subject matter experts, legal counsel, and public affairs leadership
Track multiple documents through complex review, revision, clearance, and approval processes
Develop, maintain, and apply organizational editorial and style standards
Manage editorial calendars and competing deadlines across multiple authors and projects
Prepare finalized materials for senior public affairs review and approval before public release
Help protect the consistency, credibility, and accuracy of communications across platforms