Communications Specialist

Steampunk; McLean (VA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Steampunk seeks a Communications Specialist in McLean, VA to shape branding and messaging for its federal client’s Office of Data and AI. You will produce leadership communications, newsletters, and facilitate forums connecting data, analytics, and AI initiatives with stakeholders and end users.

Responsibilities include creating logos, templates, and style guides; drafting briefs and presentations; coordinating go-to-market campaigns; maintaining SharePoint; and tracking engagement to refine

Qualifications

• U.S. government Security Clearance required.
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree as specified with 10+ or 8+ years in communications, marketing, journalism, or brand strategy.
• Brand identity assets experience including logos, templates, and style guides.
• Experience producing newsletters, briefs, or recurring stakeholder communications.
• Experience facilitating meetings/workshops or speaker series with senior stakeholders.
• Proficiency in PowerPoint and SharePoint; familiarity with graphic design tools like Adobe Creative Suite or Canva.
• Excellent written and verbal communication with ability to translate technical data for non-technical audiences.
• Experience handling sensitive or PII information in line with data protection practices.
• Ability to manage multiple concurrent projects and stakeholders in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience in project-based, client-facing consulting environments.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain brand identity assets for the office and its initiatives.
• Draft, design, and publish recurring newsletters and program updates for senior stakeholders.
• Plan and facilitate stakeholder engagement forums spanning data, analytics, and AI topics.
• Develop executive briefs, talking points, and presentation materials for leadership.
• Support rollout efforts including go-to-market plans and user campaigns.
• Coordinate and synthesize user research to inform strategy and ensure proper handling of PII.
• Design graphics and visual assets to support launches and communications.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to align messaging across initiatives.
• Maintain SharePoint sites and distribution lists for office communications.
• Track engagement metrics to inform strategy adjustments.
• Ensure all deliverables meet high quality across projects.

Skills

Brand identity

Newsletters

Stakeholder comms

Executive briefs

PowerPoint

SharePoint

Graphic design

PII handling

Project management

Clear communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, or related field

Master’s degree in Engineering, Business, or related field

Tools

Adobe Creative Suite

Canva

Microsoft PowerPoint

Job description

Overview

As aCommunications 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.

Contributions

Responsibilities include:

• 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

Qualifications

• 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

Bonus Points

• 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

About steampunk

Steampunk relies on several factors to determine salary, including but not limited to geographic location, contractual requirements, education, knowledge, skills, competencies, and experience. The projected compensation range for this position is $100,000 to $120,000. The estimate displayed represents a typical annual salary range for this position. Annual salary is just one aspect of Steampunk’s total compensation package for employees. Learn more about additional Steampunk benefits here.

Identity Statement

As part of the application process, you are expected to be on camera during interviews and assessments. We reserve the right to take your picture to verify your identity and prevent fraud.

Steampunk is a Change Agent in the Federal contracting industry, bringing new thinking to clients in the Homeland, Federal Civilian, Health and DoD sectors. Through our Human-Centered delivery methodology, we are fundamentally changing the expectations our Federal clients have for true shared accountability in solving their toughest mission challenges. If you want to learn more about our story, visit http://www.steampunk.com.

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.Steampunk participates in the E-Verify program.