Strategic Communications Manager

Job Description

Job Family:

Strategy & Transformation Consulting

Travel Required:

Up to 25%

Clearance Required:

Ability to Obtain Top Secret (TS)

What You Will Do:

Strategy & Planning

• Develop and maintain an integrated Move Communications Plan (strategies, audiences, channels, timeline, governance, risks, KPIs) for each phase: pre‑announcement, planning, execution, and post‑move stabilization.

• Align messaging with DoD policy, installation leadership, Public Affairs Office (PAO) guidance, and legal/regulatory requirements (e.g., FOIA, Privacy Act, OPSEC).

• Conduct stakeholder mapping and sentiment analysis; establish feedback loops to identify gaps, risks, and opportunities.

Internal Communications (Staff & Units)

• Design and deliver leadership toolkits, FAQs, fact sheets, talking points, commander/manager scripts, town hall decks, and shift-brief materials.

• Plan and facilitate briefings, town halls, and Q&A sessions; manage intranet updates, targeted email campaigns, and collaboration channels (e.g., Teams).

• Coordinate with HR/Personnel, Facilities/Logistics, and Operations to ensure synchronized communications on timelines, reporting instructions, entitlements, and community support resources.

External Communications (Oversight, Industry, Public)

• Prepare communication packages and briefings for government oversight officials, local government, and regional economic/industry groups.

• Draft media statements, press releases, website content, community notifications, and public meeting materials; support PAO-led engagements.

• Assist with public comment periods, stakeholder queries, and community relations, ensuring compliance with environmental, safety, and security guidance.

Content Development & Channel Management

• Create clear, accessible content tailored to diverse audiences (leaders, service members, families, civilians, elected officials, employers, community groups, and media).

• Manage multichannel delivery (email, intranet, social media per PAO guidance, web, signage, print collateral), ensuring brand and message consistency.

• Establish editorial calendars, review cycles, and approval workflows.

Risk, Issues & Crisis Communication

• Maintain risk registers and message maps; prepare holding statements and contingency communications for schedule shifts, policy changes, or community concerns.

Measurement & Continuous Improvement

• Define KPIs (reach, engagement, sentiment, comprehension, attendance, helpdesk volume, rumor incidence).

• Build dashboards; conduct after‑action reviews; capture lessons learned to refine future move communications.

Collaboration & Governance

• Serve as a strategic partner to command leadership, PAO, HR, logistics, legal, and security teams; enable decision briefings and governance forums.

• Maintain compliant records; ensure version control, accessibility (Section 508), and audit readiness.

What You Will Need:

• Ability OBTAIN and MAINTAIN a Federal or DoD "TOP SECRET" security clearance.

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Public Policy, or related field

• FIVE (5) or more years of experience in strategic communications, change management communications, or public affairs—preferably supporting DoD or other federal clients.

• Must be willing to go on client site.

What Would Be Nice To Have:

• An ACTIVE and MAINTAINED "SECRET" Federal or DoD security clearance.

• Demonstrated experience managing internal and external communications for large-scale moves/relocations, realignments, or enterprise change initiatives.

• Strong writing, editing, and visual storytelling skills; ability to translate complex operational details into clear, actionable messages.

• Experience engaging with government oversight officials, local industry, and community stakeholders; comfort with public forums and executive briefings.

• Familiarity with DoD communication protocols, OPSEC considerations, and PAO coordination.

• Proficiency with Microsoft 365 (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Teams), collaborative workflows, and measurement/analytics.

• Prior experience with installation/unit moves, BRAC‑like activities, or base realignment and community engagement.

• Certifications: Prosci® Change Management, IABC/PRSA (e.g., APR), PMP or PgMP (for complex program coordination).

• Experience with Section 508 compliance, FOIA processes, and environmental/community impact communications.

• Knowledge of stakeholder analysis tools, sentiment tracking, and survey design.

#LI-ONSITE

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 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 [email protected]. 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 [email protected]. 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 [email protected]. 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.