Senior Communication Strategist/ DOD Experience/ Washington DC Area

Position Overview: 

The Senior Communication Strategist will serve as a key onsite resource supporting the U.S. Army’s Office of the Chief of Public Affairs (OCPA). This individual will be responsible for developing, coordinating, and executing strategic communication plans that advance the Army’s mission, reinforce readiness, and strengthen public trust. The role requires a deep understanding of Army operations, messaging priorities, and the evolving global information environment. 

The ideal candidate will possess demonstrated expertise in public affairs, campaign planning, and stakeholder engagement, and will work closely with OCPA leadership, subject matter experts, and military units to synchronize messaging efforts across digital, traditional, and internal communication channels. 
 

Strategic Communication Planning 

• Develop, lead, and execute comprehensive, multi-channel communication plans aligned with Army priorities and OCPA objectives. 

• Translate complex Army initiatives into clear, compelling messages tailored to specific audiences (internal, public, partner, and adversary-facing). 

• Integrate strategic messaging across Army campaigns, ensuring consistency, timeliness, and relevance. 

Stakeholder and Interagency Coordination 

• Collaborate with key internal and external stakeholders, including Army commands, DoD counterparts, and interagency partners to ensure synchronized messaging. 

• Provide communication counsel to senior leaders and staff on policy rollouts, Army programs, and public engagements. 

Messaging and Content Strategy 

• Draft messaging frameworks, themes, and talking points to support Army campaigns, high-profile events (e.g., Medal of Honor ceremonies, AUSA), and strategic initiatives. 

• Shape content strategies for external-facing platforms and internal communication tools (e.g., Army.mil, intranet portals, and media kits). 

Monitoring and Evaluation 

• Monitor communication effectiveness using performance metrics, sentiment analysis, and stakeholder feedback. 

• Recommend adjustments to strategies and content based on real-time data, media coverage, and strategic assessments. 

Situational Response 

• Support rapid communication planning and crisis response efforts related to Army operations, national security issues, or reputational threats. 

• Contribute to the development of contingency messaging, public statements, and internal communications during high-visibility incidents. 
   

Required Qualifications: 

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Affairs, Journalism, Strategic Communication, or a related field. Master’s degree preferred. .

• Minimum of 10 years of experience in public affairs, strategic communication, or media relations. 

• Minimum of 5 years supporting military or federal agencies in a communication strategy or senior advisory capacity. 

• Demonstrated success managing multi-faceted communication campaigns. 

Skills & Competencies: 

• Strong understanding of Army and DoD communication protocols, public affairs doctrine (e.g., JP 3-61), and the information environment. 

• Proficiency in messaging development, campaign integration, and performance measurement. 

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills. 

• Ability to work effectively under pressure and in a highly collaborative environment. 

• Familiarity with digital platforms, social media strategy, and analytics tools. 

Desirable Attributes: 

• Previous experience working onsite at the Pentagon or within an Army command headquarters. 

• Knowledge of Army structure, chain of command, and key communication challenges. 

• Ability to distill complex policy or operational language into public-facing narratives. 

• Active Secret Clearance (preferred). 

Key Outcomes: 

• Delivery of effective strategic communication plans aligned with Army priorities. 

• Enhanced public understanding and trust in Army initiatives and capabilities. 

• Strengthened message integration across OCPA campaigns, Army components, and external partners. 

• Rapid, credible, and unified responses during emerging communication crises.