Strategic Communications & Outreach Specialist - US Air Force

The OSBP Industry Liaison and Outreach Specialist provides strategic communications, stakeholder engagement, event management, and executive support services to the Secretary of the Air Force Office of Small Business Programs (SAF/SB). This position serves as a critical link between SAF/SB leadership, Department of the Air Force stakeholders, industry partners, small business communities, federal agencies, and defense acquisition professionals.

The specialist is responsible for developing and executing outreach initiatives, managing executive engagements, coordinating conferences and industry events, preparing strategic communications products, and supporting the development of organizational plans that advance the Air Force’s small business mission.

The successful candidate will combine strong communication, public affairs, project management, and stakeholder engagement skills to help increase awareness of small business opportunities, strengthen industry relationships, and support Air Force strategic objectives.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Outreach & Industry Engagement

• Develop and execute outreach strategies that promote Air Force small business initiatives and programs.
• Support engagement efforts with industry partners, small businesses, trade associations, federal agencies, and defense acquisition organizations.
• Research emerging industry trends, acquisition initiatives, and small business opportunities to support strategic decision-making.
• Facilitate communication between Air Force leadership and external stakeholders.
• Support initiatives designed to strengthen the defense industrial base and increase small business participation in Air Force acquisitions.

Event Planning & Executive Engagement Support

• Plan, coordinate, and manage conferences, meetings, workshops, industry days, outreach events, and executive engagements.
• Maintain organizational event calendars and engagement schedules.
• Coordinate event logistics, agendas, approvals, meeting materials, facilities, travel requirements, and attendee communications.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for event organizers and external stakeholders.
• Support Director and Deputy Director speaking engagements and public appearances.
• Manage engagement checklists and event tracking systems.

Strategic Communications

• Draft and publish strategic communications materials supporting SAF/SB initiatives.
• Prepare executive talking points, speeches, briefing materials, background papers, read-ahead packages, and stakeholder communications.
• Develop and maintain newsletters, informational products, success stories, and organizational updates.
• Create professional briefings using Air Force-approved communication templates.
• Ensure messaging aligns with Air Force strategic priorities and organizational objectives.

Program Planning & Organizational Support

• Develop, maintain, and update the SAF/SB Annual Program Plan.
• Coordinate collection and integration of organizational priorities, objectives, and strategic initiatives.
• Analyze internal and external strategic plans to identify impacts on SAF/SB programs.
• Support development and maintenance of Strategic Communication Plans (SCP) and Industry Engagement Plans (IEP).
• Monitor organizational initiatives and provide recommendations to improve outreach effectiveness.

Data Analysis & Reporting

• Collect, analyze, and present outreach, engagement, and organizational performance data.
• Prepare trend analysis reports, executive briefings, and performance presentations.
• Maintain Integrated Master Schedules (IMS) supporting multiple projects and initiatives.
• Track outreach metrics and evaluate effectiveness of communication campaigns and engagement activities.
• Present findings and recommendations to senior leadership.

Stakeholder Coordination

• Collaborate with Air Force leadership, acquisition professionals, program offices, public affairs personnel, and industry representatives.
• Coordinate reviews, approvals, and adjudication of comments on strategic documents and communications products.
• Maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Support enterprise-wide communication initiatives and workforce engagement activities.

Records & Knowledge Management

• Maintain official records and documentation in accordance with Air Force records management policies.
• Manage event documentation, meeting minutes, correspondence, and program records.
• Ensure proper archiving and disposition of outreach and communications materials.

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Marketing, Business Administration, Government, Political Science, Public Affairs, or a related field.
• Minimum five (5) years of experience supporting Department of Defense acquisitions, headquarters-level organizations, strategic communications, public affairs, stakeholder engagement, or related functions.
• All qualifying experience must have occurred within the last ten (10) years.
• Active Secret Security Clearance or ability to obtain and maintain one.

Required Skills

• Strategic communications and messaging development.
• Public affairs and stakeholder engagement.
• Executive-level briefing and presentation development.
• Speechwriting and talking point preparation.
• Event planning and conference coordination.
• Project scheduling and Integrated Master Schedule management.
• Strong analytical and research capabilities.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams).
• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced executive environment.
• Strong organizational and multitasking skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting Air Force, Department of Defense, or federal small business programs.
• Knowledge of federal acquisition and contracting processes.
• Experience with executive correspondence and senior leader support.
• Familiarity with strategic planning and organizational performance management.
• Experience developing communication campaigns and industry engagement initiatives.
• Background in public relations, corporate communications, or government affairs.