Strategic Communications Managing Consultant

Guidehouse; Bloomington (IL); On-site; USD 100,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Rx, Dental & Vision Insurance

401(k) Retirement Plan

Parental Leave & Adoption Assistance

Tuition Reimbursement

Employee Referral Program

Mobility Stipend

Disability Insurance

Job summary

Guidehouse seeks a Strategic Communications Managing Consultant to strategize, develop, and execute communications strategies and products that advance project goals and promote client branding.

You will lead internal and external programs, translate stakeholder objectives into messaging, and partner with senior leaders to deliver high‑quality written, visual, and multimedia communications that are accessible and measurable.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required in communications, marketing, advertising, public policy studies, political science, business or business management, or adjacent discipline.
• 6+ years of experience developing communications strategy, plans, and products.
• Experience in public relations, marketing, crisis communication, advertising, and campaigns.
• Ability to translate objectives into clear messaging and to support senior leadership.
• Experience with stakeholder engagement strategies and change management activities.
• Strong writing and verbal communication skills and ability to translate client objectives into actionable messaging.
• Knowledge of document management processes, including Section 508 compliance.

Responsibilities

• Strategize, develop, and implement internal and external communications programs that engage audiences and promote the client’s organization, initiatives, and desired outcomes.
• Lead and manage a team of consultants to deliver strategic communications analyses, campaigns, and portfolios in a high‑visibility, dynamic, public‑facing client environment.
• Assess business needs and stakeholder objectives to create communication strategies, plans, and tactical communications products.
• Proactively refine messaging and outreach across media channels.
• Provide executive communications support, including drafting talking points, presentations, and speechwriting materials.
• Analyze and improve communications policies, governance across channels and platforms.
• Leverage data and market research to measure effectiveness and inform future products.
• Support culture change and staff engagement efforts, including change management communications.
• Build and sustain relationships with partner organizations for outreach programs.
• Produce and quality‑check visual and multimedia communications with layout and design standards.

Skills

Strategic communications

Public relations

Crisis communication

Executive communications

Data analysis

Stakeholder management

Writing & editing

Section 508 compliance knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, advertising, public policy studies, political science, business or business management, or adjacent discipline

Job description

Job Family: Operational Effectiveness Consulting
Travel Required: Up to 10%
Clearance Required: Ability to Obtain Public Trust

What You Will Do

The Strategic Communications Managing Consultant will strategize, develop, and execute communications strategies and products that advance a specific project’s goals while promoting and enhancing the client’s brand, mission, and desired outcomes. This role leads and supports internal and external communications programs, translates stakeholder objectives into clear messaging, and partners closely with senior leadership to deliver high‑quality written, visual, and multimedia communications that are accessible, compliant, and measurable.

Job Description / Responsibilities

• Strategize, develop, and implement internal and external communications programs that engage audiences and promote the client’s organization, initiatives, and desired outcomes.
• Lead and manage a team of consultants to deliver strategic communications analyses, campaigns, and portfolios in a high‑visibility, dynamic, public‑facing client environment.
• Assess business needs and stakeholder objectives to create communication strategies, communication plans, and tactical communications products that support project goals.
• Proactively recommend and refine messaging, outreach approaches, and promotional campaign concepts across media channels.
• Provide executive communications support, including drafting and editing talking points, presentations, publications, and speechwriting materials for key engagements.
• Analyze, refine, apply, and maintain communications policies, procedures, and governance across channels (including monitoring and managing content for internet/intranet and related publishing platforms).
• Leverage data and metrics, and (as applicable) market or public opinion research, to measure communications effectiveness, communicate impact, and improve future products.
• Support culture change and staff engagement efforts, including organizational development and change management communications activities.
• Build and sustain relationships with partner organizations to implement outreach and engagement programs as needed.
• Produce and quality‑check visual and multimedia communications, using video/audio capture and editing tools and applying layout and design standards across deliverables.
• Apply document management processes, including Section 508 compliance requirements, across communications products.

What You Will Need

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, advertising, public policy studies, political science, business or business management, or adjacent discipline.
• 6+ years of experience developing communications strategy, plans, and products, including organizational and employee communications.
• Demonstrated experience in public relations, marketing, crisis communication, advertising, and delivering communication campaigns.
• Ability to identify obstacles and opportunities that may affect the success of communications plans or initiatives and recommend solutions appropriate to your level.
• Experience and comfort supporting senior and executive‑level communications and anticipating stakeholder needs.
• Experience developing and implementing communication and stakeholder engagement strategies and plans.
• Experience developing and executing culture change initiatives, staff engagement strategies, and organizational development and change management activities.
• Strong writing and verbal communication skills, including the ability to translate client objectives into clear, actionable messaging.
• Demonstrated analytical, organizational, and presentation skills with the ability to improve communications approaches using data and insights.
• Working knowledge of document management processes, including Section 508 compliance for communications deliverables.

What Would Be Nice to Have

• Communications, Public Relations, or change management certification (e.g., CCMP, PROSCI), or equivalent experience.
• Federal consulting experience and familiarity with HHS‑specific communications.
• Understanding of public health communication styles and preferences.
• Experience drafting executive communications for high‐visibility settings, including speeches and formal remarks.
• Experience maintaining communications policies and procedures, managing content across internet/intranet, and using electronic publishing tools.
• Multimedia production experience, including video/audio capture and editing, layout and design, and quality control for graphics and presentations.
• Experience conducting or leveraging market or public opinion research to inform communications strategy and evaluate outcomes.
• Project management experience and comfort prioritizing multiple tasks in a deadline‑driven environment.
• Experience analyzing large and complex data sets using quantitative and qualitative methods.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate and contribute as a team member and proactively seek guidance, clarification, and feedback.
• Demonstrated ability to identify and address client needs, build relationships, develop requests for information, manage competing priorities, and communicate potential conflicts to a supervisor.

What We Offer

• Competitive compensation and a flexible benefits package.
• 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

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.