Communications Engagement Manager (DoD PAO)

Do you excel at managing events, meetings, and communications campaigns with diverse teams for public consumption? Can you apply your expertis to translate complex health and medical concepts in a face-paced environment?

Ripple Effect is looking for a Communications Engagement Manager with at least 6 years of professional experience to support our client’s mission. This role will work closely with the Army's Medical Research and Development Command (MRDC) Strategic Communications Division to provide expert communications support services that create and maintain a favorable public image utilizing a variety of media that supports the mission and goals of the Public Affairs Office in order to meet high-visibility, quick-turn requests.

If this position sounds of interest, there’s a place for you here at Ripple Effect! We offer a diverse and engaging work environment, with a multitude of incentives and flexible work options that work for you and your lifestyle. 

General Information 

• Job Code: PRO-PR-04M
• Location: Ft. Detrick, Frederick, MD
• Employee Type: Exempt, Full-Time Regular  
  (Ask our recruiters about flexible work arrangements) 
• Telework: None
• Travel Required: At client discretion
• Clearance: NACI
• Citizenship: U.S. Required by government contract
• Manager: Yes
• Number of Openings: 1
• Salary Range: $89,869.00 - $103,040.00 per year (how we pay and promote) 

Responsibilities 

• Organize requests and invitations, in collaboration with Public Affairs Office and other command leadership, for command visits from senior military, Government Congressional personnel, and private-sector partner targets. 
• Design visits, secure post locations, and create an agenda outline for the specific programs and products to be showcased during the visit. 
• Research relevant issues, solicit input from appropriate sources, conduct strategic analyses, and propose and implement solutions and initiatives to achieve identified objectives and goals. 
• Develop command taskers and serve as a point of contact on the tasking system. 
• Manage communication between customers and appropriate subject matter experts (SMEs); conduct initial correspondence, monitor and track linkage between customer and SME to final outcome. 
• Distribute official event correspondence to staff and/or SMEs / participants, to include invitations and agendas, all registration forms, hotel reservations and confirmation numbers & reminders pertaining to any event. 
• Manage and coordinate various meetings to include, but not limited to, securing meeting space or demo space for SMEs, serving as the Point of Contact for all attendee communications, scheduling required vendors, and on-site management including registration, check-in, and protocol. 
• Conduct pre-visit preparation and day-of-event set up and break down. 
• Developing talking points for experts and, in collaboration with PAO, developing and clearing new presentation material.  
• Maintain the ability to quickly draft social media posts/short blurbs on visits/engagements.  
• Assist with invite creation and invite lists for large events.
• Assist with additional visit duties to include lunches/coffee, name tags, take away packets, etc. 
• Provide support for conferences and trade shows.  
• Maintain a visit calendar and update an after-action (lessons learned) file. 
• Generate & develop original content, based on DHA R&D-MRDC projects and announcements and share via social media channels to present a coherent, militarily relevant and consistent message as required.
• Serve as on-site supervisor and manager for Strategic Communications, Marketing, & Multimedia Support Contract staff. 
• Support Protocol functions and other duties, as needed. 

Minimum Education and Experience 

• Bachelor's Degree in Communications, Public Relations, Marketing, Political Science, or a related field.
• At least 6 years of relevant professional experience

Basic Requirements 

• Prior experience supporting DoD public affairs offices or similar medical research communications offices.
• Proficiency in digital media tools, graphic design, and video editing.
• Proficiency in stakeholder engagement and relationship management, including coordination with senior leadership and subject matter experts.
• Experience managing communications teams to deliver projects under tight deadlines.
• Ability to conduct strategic analysis and synthesize input from various sources to develop actionable plans.
• Strong understanding of event planning logistics, including venue coordination, registration, protocol, and on-site management.
• Familiarity with DoD OPSEC requirements.
• Prior military or science/health event support.
• Must be willing and able to report to client site (Frederick, MD) on a daily basis

To be successful at Ripple Effect, you must be able to pay attention to details, clearly communicate, work independently, and have an eagerness to learn. Learn more about what makes Ripple so great by checking out our capabilities.  

Skills That Set You Apart 

• Direct military PAO experience
• Knowledge of military protocol for VIP events
• Two years or more of supervisory experience

If you don’t have all of the skills above, don’t be discouraged—no resume paints a complete picture of a person. There’s a good chance you’re more wonderful than you think, so please apply! 

About Ripple Effect 

Ripple Effect is an award-winning women-owned small business providing professional consulting and exceptional talent for federal, private, and non-profit clients. We deliver multi-disciplinary solutions across Communications & Outreach, Research & Evaluation, Program Management & Policy, Digital Transformation, and Technical & Scientific Support solutions with a focus on science, research, and healthcare domains. 

Hiring Process | Life at Ripple 

Benefits 

Ripple Effect rewards our employees for their contributions to our mission in many ways, from competitive pay and exceptional benefits to a range of work/life programs based on your employment classification and personalized preferences. 

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Ripple Effect is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age (40 or older), disability, or genetic information. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation during the hiring process, please let us know by contacting our HR department at [email protected] or your recruiter. Eligibility for employment will be verified using E-verify.