Strategic Security & Legislative Communications Director

Protagonist Therapeutics; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 124,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Protagonist is seeking a National Security Strategic Communications Director (Legislative Affairs Focus) to support a high-visibility national security initiative. You will own the client relationship, shape the strategic direction, and guide a distributed team delivering analysis and communication products.

If you can sit across from senior leaders and turn their needs into actionable guidance for a team, this is your lane—high autonomy, high visibility, with leadership responsibility.

Qualifications

• On-site work in the Washington Metropolitan Area; occasional remote opportunities; possible travel.
• Active TS/SCI clearance required.
• Bachelor's degree with 10+ years of work experience or advanced degree with 7+ years of work experience in relevant fields.
• Experience advising senior government leaders on high-visibility national security initiatives (DoD strongly preferred).
• Ability to lead complex engagements and influence decision-making.
• Strong communicator capable of translating complex topics into clear messaging.
• Experience working the Hill or in Legislative Affairs is strongly desired.
• Background in defense, space, or national security environments is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary interface to senior U.S. Government stakeholders.
• Set the strategic direction for the engagement and ensure alignment to client priorities.
• Translate client needs into clear guidance for analysts and communications staff.
• Lead development of communication strategies, plans, and high-impact products.
• Develop Legislative engagement strategies and stakeholder management plans.
• Mentor a distributed team and maintain relationships across client and internal leadership.

Skills

National security communications

Client relationship management

Leadership

Strategic advisory

Clear communication

Education

Bachelor's degree with 10+ years of work experience

Advanced degree

Job description

Protagonist is seeking a National Security Strategic Communications Director (Legislative Affairs Focus) to support a high-visibility national security initiative. You will own the client relationship, shape the strategic direction, and guide a distributed team delivering analysis and communication products.

If you can sit across from senior leaders and turn their needs into actionable guidance for a team, this is your lane—high autonomy, high visibility, with leadership responsibility.