Senior Strategic Communication Specialist

Overview

AVIAN is seeking a Senior Communications Specialist to support a Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) advanced development aviation program. You will work directly with PEO and PMA leadership to develop and execute strategies that communicate program priorities, plans, status, and key themes to DoD leadership and resource sponsors. You will be responsible for strategic engagement, long-range communication planning, and key messaging. Exceptional attention to detail and appetite for innovation are musts. Work will occur on site at Patuxent River NAS. 

You will join AVIAN’s cadre of creative professionals who specialize in strategic communication, graphic design, marketing, multimedia production and more. Our creative team supports each other through constructive peer reviews, shares professional resources and regularly gathers for continuing education sessions.    

At AVIAN (pronounced *a-v-yin*) we believe in the extraordinary potential of every individual. As an employee owner at AVIAN, you will find that we have cultivated an employee-first mentality. By prioritizing talent over experience, we ensure that every hire we make is as unique as the position that they will be filling.

Here on our team, we embrace new challenges and focus on continuous learning which fosters growth mindsets in all our employee owners; whether you are joining the workforce for the very first time or if you’re a seasoned professionals who has their eyes set on retirement.

Our commitment to providing our customers and employees with an unmatched experience sets us apart. We believe that every team member has a stake in the success of AVIAN, and we strive to ensure that each member of our team knows that their contributions matter. You can be sure as an employee owner you will celebrate both your individual and our collective triumphs.

Taking care of each other is a cornerstone of the AVIAN philosophy. Being part of the AVIAN team means being part of a team that takes pride in being expansive in our community because our impact doesn’t stop in the workplace. We actively engage in community initiatives, empowering our employees to make a meaningful difference.

We believe that employee investment shouldn’t be a one-way street, so we offer benefits that normalize balancing mental wellness and family time with work responsibilities. From Flexible Time Off to Wellness Reimbursements we want all our team members to achieve the highest levels of life/work balance.

AVIAN - where creative, talented minds flourish, and where proactive, productive, proficient professionals feel valued.

Responsibilities

• Work directly with PEO and program and O-6/GS-15 leadership advise/create presentation and program messaging for diverse audiences to include Congress, Department of Defense, Department of the Navy, other government agencies, and industry.

• Plan and execute comprehensive communication strategies in alignment within the customer objectives.

• Identify and introduce methods of delivery, communication channels, modes, and approaches that will effectively engage target audiences. Produce and deliver effective internal and external stakeholder communications. 

• Plan strategy for development of content management processes to ensure accurate, relevant and timely information under the guidance of the customer.
• Craft content for briefs; communications plans and crisis media response planning; media query responses; interview response and preparation; key messages; press releases; feature articles; award packages; talking points/speeches; social media posts; etc.  
• Support public relations to include, but not limited to senior leadership interview preparation, media training, event planning/coordination, protocol activities, and engage in promoting or creating an intended public image for individuals, groups, or organizations.  
• Develop message maps, story boards, and scripts as needed to ensure the appropriate tone, content, and delivery of information that reflects the desired message of the customer to achieve strategic goals and objectives.
• Establish and evaluation strategy that allows for continual process improvement.
• Work closely with the customer and industry partners to develop a comprehensive approach to communications. Establish a rapport with customers/stakeholder and sustain positive working relationships.
• Obtain the appropriate information for service requests and providing any additional assistance necessary to meet the needed requirements.

Travel (~20%) is required for this position.

This is an in-person, on-site position

Qualifications

Required Experience & Skills: 

• Education: Candidate must have a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• Experience: Candidate must have at least eight (8) years of experience in strategic communications.
• Candidate must have excellent verbal and communication skills with the ability to communicate concepts to a variety of audiences, both in person and in writing.
• Candidate must have strong interpersonal skills, collaboration and teambuilding skills, and the ability to interact effectively with various stakeholders.
• Candidate must have the ability to build relationships with multiple teams to support cross collaboration.
• Candidate must have keen flexibility and creativity; ability to identify and respond to evolving priorities and identify solutions to problems.
• The ideal individual will have the ability to function in a team environment or autonomously, manage competing priorities, and be able to meet critical project schedules. 

Desired Experience and Skills:

• Candidate should have experience working with OPNAV staff.
• Candidate should have knowledge of Navy TACAIR aircraft, systems, and weapons.
• Candidate should have experience working in a dynamic, schedule constrained, and complex security environment.

Clearance Requirement: 

• A current SSBI or Federal Investigative Standard Tier 5 (T5) or Tier 5 Reinvestigation (T5R) within the last 5 years.  A final DoD Top Secret clearance.  Eligibility for access to Sensitive Compartment Information (SCI) in accordance with Intelligence Community Directive (ICD) 704 and Special Access Program (SAP) in accordance with SAP Nomination Policy (SAPNP) with no disqualifying security issues that will deem a candidate ineligible for access. 
• Due to the sensitivity of customer-related requirements, U.S. Citizenship is required.

Salary Range: 

• The salary range for this role is $90,000-$120,000. (The offered rate will be based on the selected candidate’s knowledge, skills, abilities, and/or experience and in consideration of internal parity.)

At AVIAN, we offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your health, financial security, and overall well-being. Our health and wellness benefits include medical, dental, and vision coverage, along with telemedicine services and a TRICARE supplement for veterans. Financially, we provide flexible spending accounts (FSA), a 401(k) plan with company contributions, and an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP). Additional perks like wellness reimbursements and referral bonuses are also available.

For insurance protection, we offer basic life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) coverage, disability benefits, and AFLAC supplemental insurance. In terms of life, work, and family, we provide flexible time off, paid sick leave, maternity and bonding leave, and military training leave. Tuition reimbursement and professional development opportunities are available to help you grow. We also offer pet insurance, identity protection, and life assistance programs. At AVIAN, we prioritize a balanced, supportive environment that allows you to thrive both personally and professionally.

AVIAN is a service-based organization. As an equal opportunity employer, our policy of business is to seek the most qualified candidate for each talent opportunity without regard to race, creed, color, sex, age, religious belief, marital status, national origin, ancestry, sexual preference, physical or mental handicap, lawful political affiliation or veteran’s status.

Salary : $90,000 - $120,000