Communication Lead

US101 Guidehouse Inc.; Bethesda (MD); On-site; USD 113,000 - 188,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Rx benefits

Dental & Vision Insurance

Paid Holidays

Discretionary incentive bonus

Parental Leave

Job summary

Guidehouse is seeking a senior communications leader to develop and execute strategic executive communications across the Intelligence Community. You will craft high-impact writing, talking points, and briefing content for senior officials, ensuring message discipline and clear, decision-ready narratives.

You will coordinate across agencies, manage multiple priorities, mentor staff, and ensure compliance with IC guidelines. A TS/SCI clearance is required for this role, with up to 10% travel.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• 5+ years of experience in executive communications, public affairs, or related functions within IC/DoD/federal government.
• Ability to develop executive-level messaging and briefing materials.
• Excellent writing and editing skills, tailored for senior leaders.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and execution of strategic communications for executives and stakeholders.
• Transform complex topics into clear, decision-ready narratives.
• Develop themes, talking points, and leadership messages for consistency.
• Coordinate with internal, interagency, and external stakeholders to align messaging.

Skills

Executive communications

Strategic messaging

Speechwriting

Editing

Stakeholder management

Rapid drafting

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree (nice to have)

Job description

Job Family: Operational Effectiveness Travel Required: Up to 10% Clearance Required: Active Top Secret SCI with Polygraph

What You Will Do

Lead the development and execution of strategic communications supporting senior executives, mission leaders, and enterprise stakeholders across the Intelligence Community. Deliver high-impact executive writing, messaging, and rapid-turn editorial support, transforming complex intelligence, mission, and policy topics into clear, concise, decision-ready narratives. Develop, synchronize, and maintain strategic communication themes, talking points, executive correspondence, read-ahead materials, briefing content, and leadership messages to ensure consistency and message discipline. Coordinate communication efforts across internal, interagency, and external stakeholders to align messaging, support engagement objectives, and advance organizational priorities. Provide rapid-response drafting, editing, and issue-management support to enable executives to address emerging priorities, time-sensitive events, and high-visibility engagements. Serve as a trusted advisor to executive clients, proactively identifying communication risks, opportunities, and stakeholder considerations. Manage multiple competing priorities and stakeholder requirements in a fast-paced, high-visibility environment while maintaining exceptional quality and attention to detail. Ensure all communications products comply with IC classification guidance, communication standards, and executive-level requirements. Lead and mentor communications personnel, establishing quality standards, editorial processes, and best practices for executive communications.

What You Will Need

• An ACTIVE and MAINTAINED TS/SCI Federal or DoD security clearance with a COUNTERINTELLIGENCE (CI) polygraph
• Bachelor’s degree FIVE (5) or more years of experience supporting executive communications, strategic communications, public affairs, speechwriting, policy communications, or related functions within the IC, DoD, or federal government.
• Experience should include, but not be limited to: Demonstrated experience developing executive-level messaging, talking points, briefing materials, decision memoranda, and strategic communication products.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and verbal communication skills with the ability to tailor messaging for senior leaders and diverse stakeholder audiences.
• Proven ability to translate complex technical, intelligence, mission, or policy information into clear and compelling narratives.

What Would Be Nice To Have

• Master’s degree in Communications, Public Policy, Strategic Communications, Journalism, or a related field.
• Strong organizational, coordination, and stakeholder engagement skills with the ability to independently manage multiple simultaneous requirements.
• Experience supporting ODNI, senior IC leadership, or enterprise-wide intelligence initiatives.
• Familiarity with IC communication protocols, executive correspondence processes, and interagency coordination practices.
• Experience leading communications teams and overseeing editorial review processes.

The annual salary range for this position is $113,000.00-$188,000.00. Compensation decisions depend on a wide range of factors, including but not limited to skill sets, experience and training, security clearances, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs.

What We Offer

Guidehouse offers a comprehensive, total rewards package that includes competitive compensation and a flexible benefits package that reflects our commitment to creating a diverse and supportive workplace. Benefits include:

• Medical
• Rx
• Dental & Vision Insurance
• Personal and Family Sick Time
• Company Paid Holidays
• Position may be eligible for a discretionary variable incentive bonus
• Parental Leave and Adoption Assistance
• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Basic Life & Supplemental Life
• Health Savings Account
• Dental/Vision & Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
• Short-Term & Long-Term Disability
• Student Loan PayDown
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Personal Development & Learning Opportunities
• Skills Development & Certifications
• Employee Referral Program
• Corporate Sponsored Events & Community Outreach
• Emergency Back-Up Childcare Program
• Mobility Stipend

About Guidehouse

Guidehouse is an Equal Opportunity Employer–Protected Veterans, Individuals with Disabilities or any other basis protected by law, ordinance, or regulation. Guidehouse will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable law or ordinance including the Fair Chance Ordinance of Los Angeles and San Francisco.

If you have visited our website for information about employment opportunities, or to apply for a position, and you require an accommodation, please contact Guidehouse Recruiting at 1-571-633-1711 or via email at [e-mail]. All information you provide will be kept confidential and will be used only to the extent required to provide needed reasonable accommodation. All communication regarding recruitment for a Guidehouse position will be sent from Guidehouse email domains including @guidehouse.com or [e-mail]. Correspondence received by an applicant from any other domain should be considered unauthorized and will not be honored by Guidehouse. Note that Guidehouse will never charge a fee or require a money transfer at any stage of the recruitment process and does not collect fees from educational institutions for participation in a recruitment event. Never provide your banking information to a third party purporting to need that information to proceed in the hiring process. If any person or organization demands money related to a job opportunity with Guidehouse, please report the matter to Guidehouse’s Ethics Hotline. If you want to check the validity of correspondence you have received, please contact [e-mail]. Guidehouse is not responsible for losses incurred (monetary or otherwise) from an applicant’s dealings with unauthorized third parties. Guidehouse does not accept unsolicited resumes through or from search firms or staffing agencies. All unsolicited resumes will be considered the property of Guidehouse and Guidehouse will not be obligated to pay a placement fee. Guidehouse is a global AI-led professional services firm delivering advisory, technology, and managed services to the commercial and government sectors. With an integrated business technology approach, Guidehouse drives efficiency and resilience in the healthcare, financial services, energy, infrastructure, and national security markets. Built to help clients across industries outwit complexity, the firm brings together approximately 18,000 professionals to achieve lasting impact and shape a meaningful future. guidehouse.com