National Security Public Relations Lead

US101 Guidehouse Inc.; Arlington (VA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Mobility Stipend

Discretionary bonus

Parental Leave and Adoption Assistance

Job summary

Guidehouse is seeking a Public Relations / Strategic Communications Lead to drive communications for a federal government client in a fast-paced environment. You will act as a senior advisor, coordinating with government leadership and cross-functional teams to craft messaging, campaigns, and executive communications.

You will develop strategies, calendars, and talking points, translating complex policy information into clear, compelling messages for diverse audiences and ensuring timely,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing, Public Affairs, or a related field.
• 5+ years of professional experience in public relations, strategic communications, public affairs, stakeholder engagement, or a related field.
• Experience leading communications or public relations activities, including development and execution of communications strategies, campaigns, and stakeholder engagement efforts.
• Experience translating complex, technical, policy, or mission-related information into clear and compelling messages for different audiences.
• Experience working directly with senior leaders and stakeholders to identify communications requirements, develop messaging, and coordinate reviews and approvals.

Responsibilities

• Lead communications, public relations, and stakeholder engagement activities for a federal government client.
• Develop and implement integrated communications and public relations strategies, including key messaging, plans, and talking points.
• Coordinate with design and visuals teams to ensure messaging aligns with brand standards.
• Provide strategic counsel on communications campaigns, audience engagement, and reputational management.
• Draft and review communications products, calendars, and content approvals; monitor feedback and adjust plans as needed.

Skills

Public relations

Strategic communications

Stakeholder engagement

Messaging development

Cross-functional collaboration

Translate complex information

Government client experience

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Communications/Public Relations/Journalism/Marketing/Public Affairs

Job description

Job Family: Strategy & Transformation Consulting Travel Required: Up to 10% Clearance Required: Ability to Obtain Public Trust

What You Will Do:

We are looking for a Public Relations / Strategic Communications Lead to lead communications, public relations, and stakeholder engagement activities for a federal government client. This individual will serve as a senior communications advisor and primary liaison between government leadership, program stakeholders, communications personnel, and the project team to develop and execute communications strategies that advance program priorities and mission objectives. The Public Relations / Strategic Communications Lead will be responsible for developing and implementing integrated communications and public relations strategies, including key messaging, communications plans, stakeholder engagement strategies, public-facing content, executive communications, outreach materials, talking points, presentations, and other communications products. The Lead will help translate complex program and policy information into clear, accurate, and compelling messages tailored to a variety of internal and external audiences. Working directly with government stakeholders, the Lead will provide strategic counsel on communications, branding, public relations, reputation management, audience engagement, and communications campaigns. The individual will coordinate closely with the Lead Graphic Designer and Visual Communications Analysts to ensure messaging and visual products are integrated, consistent, audience appropriate, and aligned with established brand and communications standards. The Lead will also support communications surrounding high-visibility initiatives, stakeholder engagements, events, program announcements, outreach campaigns, and emerging communications needs.

Responsibilities may include drafting and reviewing communications products, developing communications calendars, coordinating content approvals, monitoring stakeholder feedback, identifying communications risks and opportunities, and recommending approaches to improve the effectiveness and reach of program communications. This position requires an individual who can operate effectively in a fast-paced federal environment, manage multiple priorities and short-turnaround requests, work collaboratively with senior government stakeholders, and provide both strategic leadership and hands‑on communications support.

What You Will Need:

• Must be able to OBTAIN and MAINTAIN a Federal or DoD "PUBLIC TRUST"; candidates must obtain approved adjudication of their PUBLIC TRUST prior to onboarding with Guidehouse. Candidates with an ACTIVE PUBLIC TRUST or SUITABILITY are preferred.
• Bachelor's Degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing, Public Affairs, or a related field.
• FIVE (5) or more years of professional experience in public relations, strategic communications, public affairs, stakeholder engagement, or a related field.
• Experience leading communications or public relations activities, including development and execution of communications strategies, campaigns, and stakeholder engagement efforts.
• Demonstrated experience developing high-quality communications products, including communications plans, key messages, talking points, executive communications, briefing materials, web or digital content, outreach materials, and presentations.
• Experience translating complex, technical, policy, or mission-related information into clear and compelling messages for different audiences.
• Experience working directly with senior leaders and stakeholders to identify communications requirements, develop messaging, and coordinate reviews and approvals.
• Ability to manage multiple communications priorities, coordinate across cross‑functional teams, and deliver high‑quality products under tight deadlines.

What Would Be Nice To Have:

• An ACTIVE and MAINTAINED DHS Public Trust.
• Experience supporting communications, public affairs, or public relations activities within DHS, federal law enforcement, or another federal agency.
• Experience supporting large‑scale or high‑visibility communications and public outreach campaigns.
• Experience developing communications strategies targeting multiple stakeholder groups and public audiences.
• Experience supporting media relations, public affairs, executive communications, or external affairs functions.
• Experience developing communications calendars, campaign plans, messaging frameworks, communications toolkits, FAQs, talking points, and stakeholder engagement materials.
• Experience working with graphic designers, digital communications professionals, and content developers to create integrated visual and written communications products.
• Experience supporting web, social media, digital communications, events, stakeholder outreach, or public information campaigns.
• Experience establishing processes for content development, review, approval, quality control, and release.
• Knowledge of federal communications requirements and experience working within a high‑visibility law enforcement or national security environment.

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 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 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.

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