Strategic Communications Manager

Strategy & Planning

• Develop and maintain an integrated Move Communications Plan (strategies, audiences, channels, timeline, governance, risks, KPIs) for each phase: pre‑announcement, planning, execution, and post‑move stabilization.

• Align messaging with DoD policy, installation leadership, Public Affairs Office (PAO) guidance, and legal/regulatory requirements (e.g., FOIA, Privacy Act, OPSEC).

• Conduct stakeholder mapping and sentiment analysis; establish feedback loops to identify gaps, risks, and opportunities.

Internal Communications (Staff & Units)

• Design and deliver leadership toolkits, FAQs, fact sheets, talking points, commander/manager scripts, town hall decks, and shift-brief materials.

• Plan and facilitate briefings, town halls, and Q&A sessions; manage intranet updates, targeted email campaigns, and collaboration channels (e.g., Teams).

• Coordinate with HR/Personnel, Facilities/Logistics, and Operations to ensure synchronized communications on timelines, reporting instructions, entitlements, and community support resources.

External Communications (Oversight, Industry, Public)

• Prepare communication packages and briefings for government oversight officials, local government, and regional economic/industry groups.

• Draft media statements, press releases, website content, community notifications, and public meeting materials; support PAO-led engagements.

• Assist with public comment periods, stakeholder queries, and community relations, ensuring compliance with environmental, safety, and security guidance.

Content Development & Channel Management

• Create clear, accessible content tailored to diverse audiences (leaders, service members, families, civilians, elected officials, employers, community groups, and media).

• Manage multichannel delivery (email, intranet, social media per PAO guidance, web, signage, print collateral), ensuring brand and message consistency.

• Establish editorial calendars, review cycles, and approval workflows.

Risk, Issues & Crisis Communication

• Maintain risk registers and message maps; prepare holding statements and contingency communications for schedule shifts, policy changes, or community concerns.

Measurement & Continuous Improvement

• Define KPIs (reach, engagement, sentiment, comprehension, attendance, helpdesk volume, rumor incidence).

• Build dashboards; conduct after‑action reviews; capture lessons learned to refine future move communications.

Collaboration & Governance

• Serve as a strategic partner to command leadership, PAO, HR, logistics, legal, and security teams; enable decision briefings and governance forums.

• Maintain compliant records; ensure version control, accessibility (Section 508), and audit readiness.

What You Will Need:

• Ability OBTAIN and MAINTAIN a Federal or DoD "TOP SECRET" security clearance.

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Public Policy, or related field

• FIVE (5) or more years of experience in strategic communications, change management communications, or public affairs—preferably supporting DoD or other federal clients.

• Must be willing to go on client site.

What Would Be Nice To Have:

• An ACTIVE and MAINTAINED "SECRET" Federal or DoD security clearance.

• Demonstrated experience managing internal and external communications for large-scale moves/relocations, realignments, or enterprise change initiatives.

• Strong writing, editing, and visual storytelling skills; ability to translate complex operational details into clear, actionable messages.

• Experience engaging with government oversight officials, local industry, and community stakeholders; comfort with public forums and executive briefings.

• Familiarity with DoD communication protocols, OPSEC considerations, and PAO coordination.

• Proficiency with Microsoft 365 (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Teams), collaborative workflows, and measurement/analytics.

• Prior experience with installation/unit moves, BRAC‑like activities, or base realignment and community engagement.

• Certifications: Prosci® Change Management, IABC/PRSA (e.g., APR), PMP or PgMP (for complex program coordination).

• Experience with Section 508 compliance, FOIA processes, and environmental/community impact communications.

• Knowledge of stakeholder analysis tools, sentiment tracking, and survey design.

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