Strategic Communications Specialist

Nakupuna Companies•San Diego, CA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Nakupuna Federal is seeking a Strategic Communications Specialist to support leadership engagement, stakeholder coordination, and communication alignment within PEO C4I’s Ship Integration Program Office (PMW 760). This role enables effective internal and external communication by developing stakeholder engagement approaches, managing client relationships, and preparing high-quality communication artifacts. The specialist supports leadership by ensuring messaging, materials, and engagement strategies are aligned with program priorities and the delivery of integrated C4I capabilities to the Fleet; proactively anticipating stakeholder engagement needs, communication risks, and leadership priorities to ensure timely and aligned messaging and interactions.

Requirements

Strong strategic communication and stakeholder engagement skills
Experience developing communication plans and engagement strategies
Ability to anticipate leadership needs, stakeholder dynamics, and communication risks in a fast-paced environment
Ability to synthesize complex technical and programmatic information into clear messaging
Strong writing, editing, and briefing development skills
Demonstrated ability to operate proactively, identifying issues and opportunities before they require leadership intervention
Experience supporting senior leadership communications
Ability to coordinate across multiple stakeholders and functional areas
Strong organizational and analytical skills
High attention to detail and accuracy
Professional judgement and discretion
Bachelor’s degree in communications, public administration, business, engineering, or related field.
Minimum 10 to 15 years supporting strategic communications, stakeholder engagement, or program support in DoD or similar environments.
Experience supporting senior Government or military leadership
Experience developing stakeholder engagement plans, communication strategies, or CRM tracking approaches.
Active Secret clearance required or ability to obtain and maintain a Secret clearance.
Ability to perform repetitive motions with the hands, wrists, and fingers.
Ability to engage in and follow audible communications in emergency situations.
Ability to sit for prolonged periods at a desk and working on a computer.

Nice To Haves

Experience supporting NAVWAR, NAVSEA, PEO C4I, or similar organizations preferred.
Prior military experience is highly valued, particularly in roles involving communications, command support, or stakeholder coordination, such as:
Flag Aide or Command Staff roles
Public Affairs, Operations, or Intelligence roles involving briefing and communication
Staff positions supporting senior leadership within Fleet or Program Office environments
Familiarity with Navy C4I systems, surface ship operations, and Fleet-level processes is desired and may strengthen candidate competitiveness.
Project Management Professional (PMP) or CAPM
Certified Administrative Professional (CAP)
Lean Six Sigma (Green Belt or higher)
Defense Information School (DINFOS) training or equivalent communication training
Military leadership or staff training programs

Responsibilities

Develop and maintain a Stakeholder Engagement Plan aligned with PMW 760 priorities and leadership objectives.
Identify and map key stakeholders across PEO C4I, NAVWAR, Fleet, and external partners.
Support leadership in planning and preparing for stakeholder engagements and high-visibility interactions.
Anticipate stakeholder engagement needs and prepare materials, messaging, and coordination actions in advance of leadership interactions.
Identify emerging communication risks, misalignments, or gaps and elevate with recommended approaches.
Proactively assess stakeholder sentiment and engagement effectiveness, recommending adjustments to improve alignment.
Maintain and manage Client Relationships Management (CRM) tracking for stakeholder interactions, engagements, and follow-ups.
Develop, coordinate, and maintain communication artifacts including briefs, summaries, talking points, and engagement materials.
Ensure consistency of messaging across technical, programmatic, and leadership communications.
Coordinate inputs from engineering, program, and functional teams to support accurate and aligned communications.
Support preparation of responses to emerging issues, data calls, and high-visibility inquiries.
Assist in development of internal communication products, including updates, summaries, and organizational messaging.
Track stakeholder engagement outcomes and provide feedback to leadership on trends, risks, and opportunities.
Identify gaps or inconsistencies in communication and recommend improvements.