Join Our Editorial Communications Talent Pipeline!

This posting is for a pipeline of experienced writers and editors who may be a strong fit for future embedded communications opportunities supporting a military health facility in Bethesda, Maryland. These opportunities are expected to fall into two distinct tracks: Writer/Journalist or Editor.

About the Role

This posting isn’t for one specific, currently open position. By applying, you’re expressing interest in potential future opportunities as client and contract needs develop. These roles would be onsite at the client site in Bethesda, Maryland, five days per week. Remote or hybrid work is not anticipated.

You’d become part of an embedded communications team working closely with public affairs leadership, medical professionals, subject matter experts, and other stakeholders at a military health facility. Depending on your area of expertise, your work would focus primarily on writing or editing.

Responsibilities

Responsibilities, assignment, and timing will depend on the specific opportunity. Depending on your track, you may:

Writer/Journalist Opportunities

• Develop and manage editorial calendars for print and long-form digital communications
• Lead feature stories from initial concept and research through interviews, writing, multimedia coordination, review, and publication
• Proactively identify compelling story ideas related to clinical advancements, research, patient experiences, staff achievements, and organizational priorities
• Conduct thoughtful, sensitive interviews with patients, families, clinicians, military and civilian personnel, senior leaders, and subject matter experts
• Develop news angles and balanced stories using information from multiple sources
• Write and edit feature articles, news releases, web content, leadership messaging, speeches, briefings, and other communications
• Apply Associated Press (AP) Style and established journalistic standards
• Collaborate with photographers, videographers, graphic designers, and other communications professionals on multimedia story packages
• Support media relations activities, including media inquiries, interviews, visits, briefings, and press events
• Craft messaging for internal and external stakeholders
• Support public affairs campaigns, crisis communications, community engagement activities, and leadership communications
• Build strong relationships with internal subject matter experts and external communications contacts

Editor Opportunities

• Manage the end-to-end editorial lifecycle for public-facing written communications
• Review, edit, and proofread articles, reports, web content, leadership messaging, and other materials for clarity, accuracy, grammar, consistency, and tone
• Ensure content complies with AP Style, organizational style guides, applicable regulations, and client requirements
• Conduct rigorous fact-checking and source verification, including review of medical and technical information
• Work closely with clinical and administrative subject matter experts to validate content
• Coordinate feedback and revisions among authors, subject matter experts, legal counsel, and public affairs leadership
• Track multiple documents through complex review, revision, clearance, and approval processes
• Develop, maintain, and apply organizational editorial and style standards
• Manage editorial calendars and competing deadlines across multiple authors and projects
• Prepare finalized materials for senior public affairs review and approval before public release
• Help protect the consistency, credibility, and accuracy of communications across platforms

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Communications, Journalism, English, or a related field
• Approximately 5+ years of relevant professional experience
• Deep expertise in either professional writing or professional editing
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills
• Strong command of grammar, punctuation, and professional writing standards
• An organized, proactive, action-oriented, and adaptable approach to managing projects and deadlines
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build trusted relationships with a wide range of stakeholders
• Demonstrated attention to detail and a commitment to accuracy and quality
• The judgment and discretion required to work with sensitive information
• An understanding of HIPAA and the safeguarding of Protected Health Information (PHI), or the ability to quickly develop that knowledge
• Comfort working onsite five days per week at a military health facility in Bethesda, Maryland

Preferred Qualifications

The following experience is strongly preferred, though not required:

• Experience in healthcare communications, military public affairs, federal communications, or another regulated, high-visibility environment
• Experience in journalism, communications, editing, copyediting, technical writing, or public affairs
• Experience managing editorial calendars and multiple projects with competing deadlines
• Experience working directly with senior leaders, clients, subject matter experts, and other stakeholders
• Experience applying AP Style and professional editorial standards
• Experience translating complex, technical, or medical information into clear, accessible communications
• Experience managing work that requires a high level of accuracy, judgment, discretion, and attention to detail

For Writer/Journalist opportunities, we’re particularly interested in candidates with demonstrated experience in interviewing, narrative storytelling, feature writing, and long-form journalism. A portfolio of published work may be requested as part of the selection process.

For Editor opportunities, we’re particularly interested in candidates with demonstrated expertise in substantive editing, copyediting, fact-checking, source verification, and managing complex editorial review and approval processes.

Benefits

At Altarum, you’ll have the opportunity to bring your communications expertise to work that supports an important military health care mission. As part of Palladian Partners, you’ll join a collaborative, mission-driven communications team that values excellent storytelling, editorial rigor, thoughtful client partnership, curiosity, adaptability, and high-quality work.