Speech Writer and Senior Communications Advisor

Job Title: Speech Writer and Senior Communications Advisor

Location: Falls Church, VA

Clearance: Public Trust

Contracting Resources Group, Inc. (CRG) is a Woman-Owned Small Business, specializing in several core markets within the Federal Government. Our professional services depth includes program management and evaluation, strategic communications, acquisitions management, and IT solutions. CRG is a leading management consulting firm, in part because of our ability to attract the highest quality team members through our emphasis on culture, competitive compensation, and benefits packages. Since 2002, CRG has consistently received top performance ratings from customers and teaming partners and industry awards, including Inc. Magazine’s 5000 list of the Fastest Growing Companies in America, the Department of Labor HireVets Platinum Medallion award, and the Washington Business Journal, Inc. 5000, and Baltimore Sun’s Best Places to Work awards.

Description: CRG is seeking a full-time Speech Writer and Senior Communications Advisor to develop speeches, talking points, messaging, and other communications products, and serve as a communications liaison for senior leaders in the office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs and Defense Health Agency. The Senior Writer is responsible for researching, writing, and coordinating with subject matter experts to capture the voice of the senior leadership of the organization, and provide communications support for DHA strategic priorities and programs. Must be able to come onsite at the Defense Health Headquarters in Falls Church, VA or the Pentagon 2-3 days per week. Duties include:

• Write speeches for senior military medical leaders
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with headquarters-level subject matter experts, public affairs personnel, and leadership
• Conducts research needed to shape messaging
• Plans and develops remarks and messaging including articles, briefs, talking points, and Congressional testimony
• Ensure that messages are tailored for appropriate audiences, including clinicians, military field staff, beneficiaries, and military health personnel
• Use developed content to draft responses to congressional letters
• Advise senior leadership of communications strategies that support the Agency’s mission, goals, vision, and objectives
• Prepare read-ahead materials that inform leadership of potential courses of action and situational awareness for upcoming events
• Manage and develop social media calendars for senior leader social media accounts
• Coordinate public affairs and security reviews
• Coordinate across the MHS Strategic Communications and Public Affairs Cell and the DHA Director’s Communications and Public Affairs Division on message development and a wide array of communication products
• Ensure products comply with Section 508 of the Individuals with Disabilities Act requirements

Required Qualifications

• Mastery of the principles, methods, practices, and techniques of communication that enable the public affairs specialist to function as a technical authority within the assigned area with responsibility for the development of senior leader messaging.
• 7 years of experience creating speeches and talking points for a variety of topics. Direct experience supporting the DHA, VHA, or DoD, or civilian health care field is preferred. 
• Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, public affairs, public administration, or related field.
• Comfortable a taking direction from and advising senior military leadership.
• Experience preparing senior leaders for media engagements.
• Experience with developing strategic communications strategy.
• Experience in oral and written communications.
• Customer service orientation with strong leadership, interpersonal, team building, organizational, problem-solving, and strategic thinking skills.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment both independently and as a team.

Preferred but not required:

• Master’s Degree in communication or marketing
• Experience supporting Military Health System
• DINFOS trained

Benefits

Full-time employees are eligible for 401k, Roth, Employee and Family Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance, Supplemental Insurance, 11 Federal Holidays, and a minimum of three weeks PTO which includes sick and personal leave.

CRG provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic, in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.