Senior Speechwriter

AKOYA•Washington, DC

3d•$120,000 - $140,000•Onsite

About The Position

We are seeking an exceptional Senior Speechwriter to support senior government leaders, from the Secretary’s office down. This role requires a seasoned writer with impeccable judgment, political and institutional acuity, and the ability to build trust with high-profile leaders while proactively anticipating communications needs in fast-moving environments. This is a highly visible, high-impact role for a strategic thinker who pairs elite writing skill with emotional intelligence, discretion, and proactive leadership. This role is ideal for a trusted advisor, someone who can not only write beautifully, but who also reads people and rooms, anticipates leadership needs, and elevates every public moment through preparation, strategy, and poise.

Requirements

Must have a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field and at least 10 years of experience. Alternatively, must have a Master’s degree in a relevant field and 7 years of experience
Must be based in Washington, D.C. – This onsite role will report to federal client locations daily.
Must be able to receive and maintain a federal security clearance (public trust level)
U.S. citizenship is required with verbal and written fluency in English
7+ years of senior-level speechwriting experience—secretary level in the federal government or C-suite in industry.
Proven portfolio of high-stakes speeches and remarks for national or international platforms.
Exceptional command of language, rhetoric, storytelling, and tone across formal and conversational settings.
Demonstrated ability to work seamlessly with high-profile leaders and diverse stakeholders.
Outstanding interpersonal skills with the confidence to counsel senior leaders directly.
Track record of being proactive, anticipatory, and solution-oriented in high-pressure environments.
Absolute discretion, sound judgment, and professionalism.

Nice To Haves

Experience in federal government, diplomacy, national security, science, energy, health, or international affairs.
Familiarity with protocol, advance work, and executive briefing processes.
Active or prior security clearance.

Responsibilities

Serving as lead speechwriter for federal agency leaders.
Drafting, editing, and refining speeches, remarks, talking points, op-eds, and special addresses for high-stakes audiences including Congress, global audiences, industry leaders, and the media.
Translating complex policy, scientific, technical, or diplomatic content into compelling, accessible, and persuasive narrative.
Advising principals on tone, message strategy, audience dynamics, and delivery.
Proactively identify upcoming moments, risks, and opportunities for executive communications.
Partnering closely with chiefs of staff, policy leads, public affairs, protocol, and advance teams to ensure message alignment.
Always maintaining strict confidentiality and exercise sound political and institutional judgment.
Rapidly turning high-quality products under tight deadlines and evolving guidance.