Senior Director, Public Affairs

Role Overview

• Provide strategic counsel to senior leadership on public affairs strategy, messaging, and communications planning
• Develop and oversee communications strategies related to federal programs, defense initiatives, and national policy issues
• Lead media relations efforts including engagement with national, regional, and specialized defense and policy media outlets
• Serve as a senior advisor on crisis communications, reputation management, and high-visibility communications challenges
• Develop executive messaging materials including talking points, speeches, op-eds, briefing materials, and media statements
• Support thought leadership initiatives including publications, panels, conferences, and strategic partnerships
• Oversee development of public affairs campaigns that advance policy understanding and stakeholder engagement
• Provide guidance on communications related to federal policy developments, regulatory changes, and national security issues
• Coordinate messaging across internal teams, clients, and external partners to ensure alignment and consistency
• Manage and mentor communications professionals and project staff supporting public affairs initiatives
• Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) and oversee reporting on communications performance and impact
• Support stakeholder engagement including policymakers, partner organizations, advocacy groups, and industry leaders
• Advise on social media strategy, influencer engagement, and digital communications initiatives
• Coordinate communications support for major announcements, events, briefings, and public engagement activities
• Support proposal development and federal contract acquisition by advising on communications strategies and messaging
• Identify emerging public affairs risks and opportunities affecting federal programs and agency initiatives
• Provide training and guidance to clients and internal staff on media engagement and communications best practices

Requirements

• 12–15+ years of experience in public affairs, strategic communications, government relations, or related fields
• Demonstrated experience supporting or engaging with the Department of Defense (DoD)/Department of War (DoW) is required
• Experience with higher education communications is desired
• Strong understanding of federal policy processes, defense programs, and national security communications environments
• Extensive experience managing media relations and working with national and policy-focused media outlets
• Experience providing communications counsel to senior executives or federal leadership
• Demonstrated success managing complex communications initiatives and reputation-management challenges
• Proven leadership experience managing communications teams and mentoring staff
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including executive-level messaging and strategic narrative development
• Familiarity with digital communications, social media strategy, and modern communications analytics
• Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and communications management tools.

Benefits

• Comprehensive health insurance
• Vision, dental, short-term and long-term disability
• 401K with employer match (after six months of employment)
• Federal and non-federal paid holidays
• Flexible paid time off
• Generous bonus program based on firm and individual performance
• An opportunity to learn and grow in an inclusive and supportive environment with a fun team