Media Coordinator aka Strategic Communications Specialis

The Work-Life Group•Alexandria, VA

23h

About The Position

This position is in the Secretariat for Special Operations (SSO), Office of the Assistant Secretary of War for Special Operations and Low-Intensity Conflict (OASW(SO/LIC)). The role supports strategic communications, public affairs, and stakeholder engagement activities in support of Department of War priorities. The specialist serves as a senior communications advisor and principal writer, developing clear, accurate, audience-appropriate communications products for senior civilian leaders. The specialist plans, coordinates, and executes communication efforts that explain organizational priorities, initiatives, capabilities, and outcomes to internal and external stakeholders. The role requires sound judgment, exceptional writing and editing ability, and the ability to turn complex policy, operational, technical, and programmatic information into concise, compelling narratives. The specialist works across the organization to synchronize messaging, anticipate communication requirements, and ensure products align with leadership intent and applicable Department of War public affairs policies and processes.

Requirements

Must be a U.S. citizen.
Must possess an active TS clearance with the ability to obtain SCI.
Minimum of 6 years of relevant work experience.
Minimum of 3 years in strategic communications, public affairs, public policy communications, journalism, corporate communications, or a related field.
Undergraduate degree; direct operational experience may be substituted for this academic requirement.
Exceptional writing, editing, proofreading, and verbal communication skills, with demonstrated ability to produce executive-level products for senior leaders.
Experience developing visual communications products, including briefing decks, infographics, and data visualizations.
Ability to synthesize complex information, identify key themes, and communicate recommendations clearly and concisely.

Nice To Haves

Experience supporting Department of War, Joint Staff, Office of the Secretary of War, a Military Department, Combatant Command, or other federal-government strategic communications or public affairs activities.
Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in communications, public affairs, journalism, English, political science, public policy, marketing, or a related discipline.
Training at the Defense Information School (DINFOS).
Experience advising and preparing senior executive leaders for media engagements, congressional engagements, public events, and stakeholder meetings.
Familiarity with Department of War public affairs processes, communication planning, media analysis, digital communications, and release-review procedures.
Ability to travel domestically and internationally, as required.

Responsibilities

Serve as a technical expert for communications-related activities.
Develop and implement strategic communication plans, themes, messages, and engagement approaches supporting organizational priorities and senior-leader objectives.
Draft, edit, and coordinate communication products, including talking points, speeches, scripts, leader messages, remarks, briefing materials, fact sheets, slide decks, social-media content, press releases, articles, and press-packet materials.
Translate complex policy, operational, technical, acquisition, readiness, and resource information into clear products tailored to appropriate audiences, including internal, interagency, congressional, industry, media, and public audiences.
Advise senior leaders and staff on messaging, communication opportunities, reputational risks, and approaches to communicating sensitive or high-visibility initiatives.
Coordinate with public affairs, legislative affairs, policy, legal, security, operational, and technical stakeholders to ensure communication products are accurate, timely, synchronized, and properly staffed.
Support planning and execution of senior leader engagements, conferences, ceremonies, visits, and other events by developing agendas, read-aheads, background materials, talking points, and follow-up communications.
Conduct communications research and environmental scanning to identify emerging issues, stakeholder concerns, media narratives, and opportunities to proactively communicate organizational priorities.
Maintain communication calendars, task trackers, product libraries, and status reports to support timely leadership decision-making and coordinated execution.
Ensure communication activities comply with applicable Department of War policies, release procedures, security requirements, and records-management requirements.
Perform other strategic communications, public affairs, and executive-support duties as assigned.