Please note: This role is contingent upon a contract award. While it is not an immediate opening, we are actively conducting interviews and extending offers in anticipation of the award.

@ ICF Next, we are fearless in finding new ways to solve problems, relentless in making sure it pays off for our clients and committed to making a positive change in the world.

Here’s your chance to join our award-winning agency, ICF Next. We’re changemakers, a community of mission driven creatives, communicators, strategists, and technologists. We’re searching for our next Senior Communications and Public Affairs Lead. This lead role requires a public affairs and strategic communications background in the military (civilian or enlisted) and will focus on outreach-related activities that support a vital Department of War client. 

Strong candidates will have experience supporting clients and/or companies with planning, executing, and overseeing successful communications operations, press roll outs, campaigns, public affairs initiatives, and leadership support. Experience supporting high level government communications and operations is highly preferred. If you are passionate about public health; outreach to the public; generating positive attention about government services; military service; and elevating public affairs and communications in the public sector, we'd love to talk to you. This is an exciting role offering excellent opportunities to work in a dynamic, collaborative environment.   

Job Location: Full-time onsite in Washington, DC in the clients' office.

Key Responsibilities:

• Serve as a trusted advisor to clients or senior leadership.

• Leading and managing special projects, taskings and government programs.

• Extensive and proven strategic communications planning experience with identified measured results accomplished. 

• Integrated strategic communications plans, social media, media relations, internal communications and strategic outreach experience. 

• Experience in overseeing analytics and measurement of communications impact. 

• Possess the ability and experience in writing and coordinating Public Affairs Guidance.

• Possess the experience to write for senior military leaders, other DoD activities, or healthcare industry including speeches, OP-ED's, news articles, and messages for executive leadership. 

• Lead and collaborate with colleagues across various accounts to ensure integration with other disciplines, including social media, creative services, owned media, and digital services.  

• Manage and mentor junior staff.     

• Stay apprised of industry trends, including the use of AI, to advise clients.

Qualifications:

• US Citizenship due to government requirements.

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

• Ability to secure a public trust security clearance. 

• 7+ years of public relations, public affairs and integrated communications experience with demonstrated experience creating dynamic communications plans for a variety of topics and leading a team.

Preferred Skills:

• Prior civilian or military experience at the senior level preferred. 

• Must have excellent and proven oral and written communications experience. 

• Must have the ability to lead people and manage and execute multiple strategic communications plans simultaneously, both in execution phase and planning phase.

• Applying innovative techniques in public relations to generate positive digital engagement and media attention. 

• PR agency, journalism, corporate or government agency experience preferred.

Professional Skills:

• Ability to predict and mitigate problems or conflicts.

• Strong organizational abilities and logistics skills

• Self-starter, with ability to independently manage tasks and handle multiple priorities. 

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Bot and Third-Party Applications

Please note that this application must be submitted directly by the applicant for consideration. Failure to do so may result in the application being excluded for consideration.  Applicants needing an accommodation for disability or religious purposes in connection with the application process should contact [email protected] for assistance.

Working at ICF

Pay Range - There are multiple factors that are considered in determining final pay for a position, including, but not limited to, relevant work experience, skills, certifications and competencies that align to the specified role, geographic location, education and certifications as well as contract provisions regarding labor categories that are specific to the position.

The pay range for this position based on full-time employment is: