Communications Specialist

mPower Inc.; Bethesda (MD); On-site; USD 116,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

mPower, Inc. is seeking a skilled Communications Specialist to support communications activities for a federal health and biomedical research client. The role focuses on translating complex scientific information into clear, accessible content across digital, web, and print channels.

The ideal candidate is an exceptional writer and editor who collaborates with scientists and program staff to deliver accurate, consistent messaging that meets federal standards and organizational branding.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, English, Marketing, Science Communication, or a related field.
• Experience developing communications for external audiences.
• Exceptional writing, editing, proofreading, and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to translate complex scientific/technical information into clear, audience-appropriate content.
• Experience developing content for websites, newsletters, articles, announcements, reports, or other digital communications.
• Familiarity with plain-language, Section 508 accessibility, and federal communications standards.
• Experience coordinating multimedia communications (graphics, photography, video, social media).
• Strong attention to detail and ability to manage multiple assignments and deadlines.
• Strong interpersonal skills and collaboration with scientists, leadership, and cross-functional teams.
• Experience supporting communications in federal government, biomedical research, or academic environments.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.

Responsibilities

• Develop, write, edit, and coordinate external communications materials for scientific, research, and programmatic initiatives.
• Translate complex biomedical and technical information into clear content for diverse audiences.
• Maintain content for public-facing websites and digital channels.
• Support communications around research programs, funding opportunities, and events.
• Collaborate with scientists, leadership, and subject matter experts to gather information and craft communications.
• Interview researchers and staff to create engaging highlights and feature content.
• Draft and edit communications for researchers, partner organizations, and the public.
• Support development of communications plans and content calendars for major initiatives.

Skills

Exceptional writing

Editing

Verbal communication

Stakeholder collaboration

Plain-language

Education

Bachelor's degree in Communications/Journalism/PR/English/Marketing/Science Communication

Tools

Microsoft Word

PowerPoint

Outlook

Teams

Job description

mPoweris seeking a skilled Communications Specialist to support communications activities for a federal health and biomedical research client. The Communications Specialist will develop, coordinate, and deliver high-quality external communications that effectively communicate scientific programs, research initiatives, funding opportunities, organizational priorities, and accomplishments to a variety of audiences.

The ideal candidate is an exceptional writer and editor who can translate complex scientific, technical, and programmatic information into clear, engaging, and accessible content. This individual will collaborate with scientific, programmatic, and administrative staff to develop communications across digital, web, print, and stakeholder-facing channels while ensuring consistency, accuracy, accessibility, and alignment with organizational communications standards.

Job Responsibilities:

• Develop, write, edit, and coordinate external communications materials for scientific, research, and programmatic initiatives, including web content, articles, announcements, newsletters, fact sheets, success stories, talking points, briefing materials, and other stakeholder communications.
• Translate complex biomedical, scientific, and technical information into clear, concise, and engaging content appropriate for scientific audiences, stakeholders, partners, and the general public.
• Develop and maintain content for public-facing websites and digital communication channels, ensuring information is accurate, current, accessible, and consistent with organizational standards.
• Support communications surrounding research programs, funding opportunities, scientific initiatives, events, workshops, conferences, and other organizational activities.
• Collaborate with scientists, program officials, leadership, and subject matter experts to gather information and develop communications that accurately represent scientific activities and organizational priorities.
• Interview researchers, program staff, and subject matter experts and transform technical information into compelling research highlights, impact stories, and feature content.
• Draft and edit communications for external stakeholders, including researchers, professional organizations, partner organizations, and members of the public.
• Support development of communications plans and content calendars for major initiatives, announcements, campaigns, events, and program milestones.
• Coordinate content development and review processes, incorporating feedback from multiple stakeholders and ensuring materials receive appropriate review and approval prior to publication.
• Ensure communications adhere to applicable federal communications, accessibility, plain-language, branding, and editorial requirements.
• Review and edit materials for grammar, clarity, tone, consistency, scientific accuracy, audience appropriateness, and adherence to established style guidelines.
• Support development of presentations, graphics, digital content, and other visual communications in collaboration with communications and program staff.
• Track communications activities and support reporting on outreach efforts, deliverables, engagement, and other communications metrics.
• Maintain organized repositories of communications materials, templates, approved messaging, photographs, graphics, and other digital assets.
• Provide communications support for additional projects and initiatives as organizational priorities evolve.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, English, Marketing, Science Communication, or a related field.
• Demonstrated professional experience developing communications for external audiences.
• Exceptional writing, editing, proofreading, and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to take complex or technical subject matter and develop clear, audience-appropriate communications.
• Experience developing content for websites, newsletters, articles, announcements, reports, or other digital communications.
• Familiarity with plain-language principles, Section 508 accessibility requirements, and federal communications standards.
• Experience developing or coordinating multimedia communications, including graphics, photography, video, social media, or other digital content.
• Strong attention to detail and demonstrated ability to maintain accuracy while managing multiple assignments and competing deadlines.
• Strong interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with subject matter experts, leadership, and cross-functional teams.
• Ability to independently manage communications assignments from initial concept and information gathering through drafting, review, revision, and final publication.
• Experience supporting communications within a federal government, biomedical research, scientific, healthcare, public health, or academic research environment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams.

$116,000 - $135,000 a year

mPower, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. Qualified applicants or employees will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, ethnic or national origin, ancestry, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy (including childbirth or related condition), citizenship, familial status, mental or physical disability status, veteran status, genetic information, other non-disqualifying disability, or any other characteristic protected by law.