Communications Specialist at Steampunk, Inc. in US-VA-McLean

Job description

• As a Communications Specialist , you will contribute to the branding, messaging, and stakeholder communications strategy on behalf of our federal client's Office of Data and AI. You will build and maintain the office's identity and communications systems, produce recurring leadership communications and newsletters, and facilitate the engagement forums that connect the office's data, analytics, and AI initiatives to the stakeholders and end users who rely on them.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain brand identity — logos, templates, and style guides — for the office and its data, analytics, and AI initiatives and products
• Draft, design, and publish recurring newsletters and program updates on behalf of the office for senior client stakeholders
• Plan and facilitate stakeholder engagement forums, including speaker series, working groups, and communities of practice, spanning data, analytics, and AI topics
• Develop executive-level briefs, talking points, and presentation materials for senior leadership audiences
• Support rollout efforts for office initiatives and tools, including go-to-market communications plans, user solicitation campaigns, and beta program coordination
• Coordinate and synthesize user research and feedback sessions (e.g., interviews, demos) to inform product and communications strategy, including proper handling of sensitive/personal information
• Design graphics and visual assets (icons, thumbnails, seals) to support application launches and office communications
• Partner with cross-functional communications teams and client stakeholders to align messaging across multiple concurrent data, analytics, and AI initiatives
• Maintain SharePoint sites, distribution lists, and internal collaboration spaces supporting office communications
• Track and report on communication effectiveness (e.g., newsletter engagement, distro growth) to inform strategy adjustments
• Ensure all deliverables across a variety of projects are produced at the highest quality

Requirements

• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government Security Clearance
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, or related field and 10+ years of experience in communications, marketing, journalism, brand strategy or a related field; OR
• Master’s degree in Engineering, Business, or related field and 8+ years of experience in communications, marketing, journalism, brand strategy or a related field
• Demonstrated experience developing brand identity assets, such as logos, templates, and style guides
• Experience producing newsletters, briefs, or other recurring stakeholder communications
• Experience facilitating meetings, workshops, or speaker series with senior stakeholders
• Proficiency in Microsoft PowerPoint and SharePoint; familiarity with graphic design tools (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite, Canva)
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with strong attention to detail, including the ability to translate technical data, analytics, and AI concepts for non-technical audiences
• Experience handling sensitive or personally identifiable information (PII) in accordance with data protection practices
• Ability to manage multiple concurrent projects and stakeholders in a fast-paced environment
• Experience working in a project-based, client-facing consulting environment
• Previous work experience with a federal government client, ideally DoD/DHS
• Familiarity with data, analytics, or AI concepts and terminology sufficient to communicate them to general audiences
• Experience coordinating hackathons, challenges, or innovation events
• PMP or equivalent certification

Skills

Required

• Microsoft PowerPoint
• SharePoint
• Attention to detail

Preferred

• PMP or equivalent certification