Senior Strategic Communications Specialist (Active Top Secret Clearance Required)

Description

Company Description

The Clearing is a management consulting firm that helps leaders identify underlying causes of organizational obstacles, resolve highly complex challenges, prioritize the fewest, most important initiatives to tackle regardless of conflicting needs, and make informed decisions in the context of an agreed-upon mission, vision, and strategy. We help create peak performance organizations through strategy, organizational development, leadership training, and change management. Our experienced consultants bring a powerful blend of analytic and creative skills from diverse fields, including change management, finance, engineering, communications, education, policy, design, and corporate leadership.

Position Description

The Clearing is seeking a Senior Strategic Communications Specialist to support a program within the Department of Defense (DoD). The Senior Strategic Communications Specialist's primary project responsibility is to lead the design, implementation, and execution of a communication strategy and related strategic planning efforts to further the end customer's relationships with their stakeholders and support the customer's mission and desired program outcomes. For The Clearing, the Senior Strategic Communications Specialist's primary responsibility is to provide strategic communications and DoD subject matter expertise and apply that expertise to assigned projects and processes.

This position requires an on-site presence with the end customer five days a week. Candidates must be local to the DC metropolitan area or willing to relocate. Candidates must have an active Top Secret (TS) clearance and current or prior DoD experience.

Candidates who participate in the formal interview process will be asked to provide a writing sample.

Requirements

What You'll Do

PROJECT/CLIENT FOCUS

• Lead the design, implementation, and execution of the communications strategy for the client and their subordinate directorates and customers to include, but not limited to, media relations, public speaking engagements, content creation, and social media management
• Stay abreast of key milestones, actions, and information to apply comprehensive knowledge of the DoD, organization and functions of the project, subordinate directorates, and critical initiatives
• Design, coordinate, and facilitate meetings to ensure alignment on communication strategies, operational efficiencies, and mission improvement
• Speech writing for senior-level executives
• Set and manage client expectations of work, staff, and overall experience
• Develop and nurture lasting relationships with clients and key senior executives; effectively support a client environment in the role of a trusted advisor

COMPANY FOCUS

• Provide domain-specific subject matter expertise and advice to The Clearing leadership and delivery staff
• Apply expert functional knowledge and experience to assigned projects and processes, occasionally providing expertise and support to multiple project teams simultaneously
• Maintain current knowledge of developments in relevant area(s)of expertise and create channels for sharing this across the firm
• Review papers, briefings, and project approaches that are technical or operational
• Prepare, review, and approve deliverables (graphic and text), proposals, and presentations related to functional knowledge
• Identify project opportunities and execute them, as appropriate; drive revenue growth
• Meet key performance metrics, prescribed by The Clearing on an annual basis, related to utilization and business growth, creating follow-on and new client opportunities
• Contribute to the development and management of company brand and marketing materials
• Serve as a trusted and experienced facilitator, analyst, or advisor for high-risk and high-complexity engagements with a demonstrated ability to achieve desired outcomes

What You'll Bring

• Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree preferred
• 15+ years of strategic communications experience to include developing, implementing, and executing strategic communications plans
• Top Secret level clearance required; willingness and ability to obtain and maintain suitability determination by completing necessary background check investigations to perform client work
• Current or prior Department of Defense work experience
• Willingness and ability to work on-site up to 5x/week at client location
• Speech writing experience; executive-level content creation experience
• Strong group facilitation skills with the ability to achieve desired outcomes when there are high-stakes and high-complexity
• Proven track record of capturing and managing net new leads or growing business with current clients
• Proficiency in word processing, spreadsheet, presentation creation tools, internet research tools, and Google suite
• Critical thinking/problem-solving skills, attention to detail, organizational and time-management skills
• Flexible and adaptable mindset to operate effectively in ambiguous, fast-paced, high-stakes client environments
• Must be legally eligible to work in the United States, now and in the future, without the need for company (The Clearing) visa sponsorship now or in the future
• Desired skills, experiences, and certifications: change management, strategic planning, strategic communication, program management, and/or organizational design experience; PMP and/or Change Management certification (ex.: Prosci)

Compensation

The projected salary range for this position is between $131,815.00 and $210,905.00 annually. Actual compensation and starting salaries are determined based on various factors, including the education, experience, knowledge, skills, certifications, and clearance level of the candidate and internal equity. Once at The Clearing, movement through pay bands is based on performance. Base-annual salary is just one component of The Clearing's total compensation philosophy and approach. Employees are eligible to participate in The Clearing's robust benefits programs, including our incentive compensation (bonus) programs. Please refer to our Careers Page online for a complete list of benefits.

Physical and Mental Requirements

While performing duties of this job, an employee may be required to perform any, or all of the following: attend meetings in and out of the office, travel (sometimes extensively); occasional evening and weekend work may be required as job duties demand; communicate effectively (both orally and in writing); ability to effectively use computers and other electronic and standard office equipment; and occasionally exerting up to 10 pounds to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Work is primarily sedentary and involves sitting for several hours at a time. Occasionally walking, climbing stairs, and standing occur in this role. Additionally, this job requires certain mental demands, including the ability to use judgment, withstand moderate amounts of stress, and maintain attention to detail. The Clearing is committed to partnering with all candidates and employees to ensure reasonable accommodations are made to meet these requirements.

EEO

The Clearing is committed to providing equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), parental status, national origin, age, disability, family medical history or genetic information, political affiliation, military service, or other non-merit based factors. In addition to federal legal requirements, The Clearing complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. These protections extend to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting and hiring practices, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training and career development programs.