Strategic Communications Specialist

Gritter Francona; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental &amp

Vision)

Retirement Plan

Life Insurance

Paid Time Off

Training & Development

Job summary

Gritter Francona in Washington, DC seeks a Strategic Communications Specialist to lead organizational communications strategies, ensuring messaging aligns with VA objectives and senior leadership guidance.

You will manage a team, oversee editorial products, coordinate stakeholders, and translate complex technical concepts for broad audiences. Ten-plus years in communications and eight+ years in leadership are expected.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field.
• 10+ years of professional experience in communications.
• At least 8 years managing organizational communications functions, including strategy and execution.
• Experience translating technical concepts for non-specialist audiences.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and execution of organizational communications strategies for internal, external, technical, and non-technical audiences.
• Oversee the creation, editing, and final approval of AP‑style narrative and multimedia communications products.
• Mentor and manage a high‑performing communications team and coordinate contracts/resources.
• Oversee design and delivery of digital, print, and multimedia content with consistent branding.
• Develop stakeholder engagement strategies and collaborate with partners to amplify messaging.
• Review materials with authors, compile corrections, and deliver final publishable products.
• Translate complex scientific/technical concepts into plain language for broad audiences.

Skills

Strategic communications

Leadership

Editing

Stakeholder engagement

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

Job description

VHA supports and provides medical care for VA’s eligible beneficiaries through the VA health program, which includes VA Medical Centers (VAMCs) and contracted health care networks. The Office of Clinical Informatics within the Office of Health Informatics (OHI), Digital Health Office (DHO) advances the enterprise standard of care and patient experience using improved data, tools, and informatics processes organized around continuously delivering value to its customers. This is achieved through Lean-Agile delivery of clinical practice solutions that support best practice standards for clinical care. OHI is further responsible for ensuring the success of the modernized VA EHR, Oracle Health Millennium/Cerner through continuous exploration, integration, deployment and release on demand of Integrated Health Technology (IHT) solutions. These efforts aim to increase Veterans’ access to care and support their active participation in their healthcare. Gritter Francona is looking for a Strategic Communications Specialist to help support a potential project to assist this objective.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Communications Leadership

• Lead the development and execution of organizational communications strategies tailored to internal, external, technical, and non-technical audiences.
• Apply change leadership principles to support organizational transformation, initiatives, and evolving priorities.
• Serve as the primary communications advisor to senior leaders, ensuring alignment between messaging and organizational objectives.

Content Oversight and Editorial Excellence

• Oversee the creation, editing, and final approval of Associated Press–style narrative and multimedia communications products.
• Direct the development of key messages, speeches, talking points, briefing materials, executive correspondence, and leadership communications.
• Ensure all communications reflect the organization’s values, tone, voice, and visual identity standards.

Team and Resource Management

• Lead and mentor a high-performing communications team, fostering collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Manage contract communications resources for this area of expertise, ensuring deliverables are acceptable, of high quality, and compliant with industry standards.
• Coordinate workloads, timelines, and priorities using effective planning and scheduling tools.

Digital, Print, and Multimedia Communications

• Oversee the design and delivery of digital, print, and multimedia products, ensuring content quality, accessibility, and audience relevance.
• Ensure consistent application of branding, visual identity, and messaging standards across all platforms.

Stakeholder Engagement and Outreach

• Develop and execute stakeholder engagement strategies, including events, campaigns, partnerships, and outreach initiatives.
• Collaborate with internal and external partners to strengthen engagement and amplify organizational messaging.

Review, Coordination, and Quality Assurance

• Meet with authors, subject matter experts, and team representatives to:
• Review communications materials
• Compile inputs and corrections
• Resolve conflicting or incompatible comments
• Deliver accurate, final publishable products

Ensure communications adhere to quality, clarity, and editorial standards.

Technical and Scientific Communication

• Translate complex scientific and technical concepts into plain language that is easily understood by non-specialist audiences.
• Ensure accuracy while maintaining clarity, relevance, and readability.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in related field
• 10+ years of professional experience in communications
• At least 8 years of experience managing organizational communications functions, including communication strategy, tactical execution, messaging design and implementation.

Benefits

• Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)
• Retirement Plan (401k, IRA)
• Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary & AD&D)
• Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick & Public Holidays)Short Term & Long Term Disability
• Training & Development