National Security Strategic Communications (Program Lead) (TS/SCI Security Clearance Required) Washington, DC

Protagonist; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 124,000 - 148,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equal Opportunity Employer

On-site work

Limited remote opportunities

Job summary

Protagonist, a leading defender of strategic communications, is seeking a National Security Strategic Communications Director (Program Lead) to support a U.S. Air Force client in the Washington DC area.

You will guide day-to-day execution, manage deliverables, and mentor a small team in a fast-paced environment. Ideal candidates bring 15+ years in strategic communications or public affairs, a MS/ME degree, and an active TS/SCI clearance, with prior DoD or Air Force experience preferred.

Qualifications

• Active TS/SCI clearance required for the role.
• 15+ years of work experience in strategic communications, public affairs, or related fields.
• Advanced degree (MS/ME) with federal government or DoD/Air Force experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Support daily needs of a high-profile USG executive leader in internal and external comms.
• Serve as contract lead, ensuring performance, quality, and client satisfaction.
• Develop communication products (briefings, reports, messaging) for senior leaders.
• Manage and mentor a small team.
• Coordinate across stakeholders to keep work aligned and on schedule.
• Translate technical topics into clear, actionable communications.

Skills

Program management

Communication skills

Technical writing

Team leadership

Stakeholder coordination

Education

MS/ME degree

Job description

Join Our Talented Team at Protagonist

We fuse rigorous, methodologically sound analysis with our cutting-edge technology platform, Narrative Analytics®. This powerful combination enables us to quantitatively analyze open-source media, deliver strategic recommendations, and craft executive-level communication strategies for clients with missions that matter.

Why Us?

Our team is a vibrant mix of communication specialists, data scientists, and subject matter experts with extensive experience across U.S. Government agencies, non-profit organizations, and Fortune 500 companies. By joining Protagonist, you’ll immerse yourself in a collaborative environment where innovation thrives, and your contributions truly matter.

What We Do

• Innovative Solutions: We co-develop cutting-edge solutions with our clients to address tough communication problems and capitalize on opportunities to make a tangible impact.
• Data-Driven Insights: Our tools and methodologies provide actionable insights that help clients meet their communication objectives and stay ahead of global challenges.
• Applied Expertise: We integrate our solutions within client organizations, leveraging our profound expertise to address critical issues and ensure sustainable success.

Be Part of Something Bigger

At Protagonist, you’ll work on compelling projects that make a real difference. We seek talented individuals eager to contribute to our mission and grow alongside us. If you’re passionate about communication, data analysis, and making an impact, we invite you to explore a career with Protagonist.

Job Description

Parenthetic, a subsidiary of Protagonist, is seeking a National Security Strategic Communications Director (Program Lead) to support a U.S. Air Force customer.

This role leads day-to-day execution of a strategic communications program—managing deliverables, leading a small team, and ensuring consistent, high-quality support to front office leadership.

If you’re a strong operator who can run a program, keep work moving, and deliver under pressure, you’ll do well here.

Responsibilities

• Support daily needs of a high-profile USG executive leader in both internal and external comms, in a fast-paced, high-stakes environment
• Serve as contract lead, ensuring performance, quality, and client satisfaction
• Develop communication products (briefings, reports, messaging, etc.) for senior leaders
• Manage and mentor a small team
• Coordinate across stakeholders to keep work aligned and on schedule
• Translate technical or complex topics into clear, actionable communications

Requirements

• The position requires on-site work (limited remote opportunities) in the Washington Metropolitan Area (D.C., Maryland, Virginia) for a Federal Government client. Occasional domestic travel may be required
• Active TS/SCI clearance required (with prior experience in an SAP and/or SCI environment)
• Advanced (MS/ME) degree with 15+ years of work experience in strategic communications, public affairs, or related fields.
• Experience supporting senior government leaders (Air Force/DoD preferred)
• Strong program or project management experience
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver under tight timelines
• Excellent writing and communication skills

Additional Information

Protagonist is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Salary Range: $124,000-$148,000 based on education and level of relevant experience.

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.