Senior Communications Strategist

Duration: 12-month base period with three 12-month option periods. Primarily remote position supporting USCIS Headquarters in Camp Springs, MD. Contractor personnel may work remotely, but the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) may request in-person meetings or engagements as needed. Designated key personnel must be able to report onsite within four (4) hours of a COR request.

About the Role

The Senior Communications Strategist serves as the lead communications advisor for the contract, responsible for planning, developing, and executing comprehensive strategic communications and outreach initiatives. This individual collaborates closely with USCIS leadership and program stakeholders to develop communication strategies, messaging, outreach campaigns, digital content, and multimedia products that support the Verification Division's mission. The role provides communications expertise across multiple platforms while ensuring messaging is accurate, consistent, accessible, and aligned with agency objectives.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen and eligible for government clearances
• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Relations, or a related field
• 7+ years of experience developing and executing strategies for federal programs
• Prosci Change Management Certification or similar professional certification preferred
• Expertise in executive-level communications, messaging frameworks, and stakeholder engagement
• Excellent written, editing, presentation, and verbal communication skills
• Experience collaborating with executive leadership and cross-functional stakeholders
• Must be able to report to USCIS Headquarters in Camp Springs, MD within four (4) hours when requested by the COR

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute communication strategies with clearly defined target audiences, key messages, and delivery channels, including public-facing and executive-level communications within DHS
• Ensure all communications adhere to Plain Language guidelines and 508 compliance standards
• Develop communication strategies aligned with VER, IRIS, USCIS, and DHS priorities, outlining strategies for target audiences, consistent messaging, distribution channels, and modalities
• Advise program managers and product owners on messages for target audiences, including defining specific messages, identifying effective avenues, and optimizing timing and sequencing of outreach
• Facilitate stakeholder engagement, awareness campaigns, and training sessions
• Leverage Prosci, Lean Agile, and Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) methodologies for change adoption, aligning agency, division, and program objectives
• Implement feedback and continuous improvement around change management and adoption, using retrospectives, surveys, survey data, and FAQs to address stakeholder perception
• Leverage best practices and leading technologies (e.g., infographics, Adobe Suite, Microsoft Suite, Mural) to develop innovative communications products that drive awareness, acceptance, and buy-in

Benefits

• Fortune 500-level health, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid time off (PTO)
• Paid federal holidays
• 401k retirement plan
• Life insurance