Senior Communications Specialist

DarkStar Intelligence LLC

$115K — $155K *
Aerospace & Defense
15+ years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Active TS/SCI with CI-Polygraph security clearance
  • Bachelor's degree with 18+ years of relevant experience (10+ with a Master's) or 24+ years experience without a degree
  • Experience producing executive-level communications for senior audiences
  • Strong writing, editing, and proofreading skills
  • Ability to manage competing priorities and deliver high-quality products under time constraints
  • Experience coordinating across multidisciplinary teams
  • Familiarity with accessibility standards

Responsibilities

  • Leads strategic communications for customer requirements including messaging and executive communications
  • Owns the lifecycle of the Weekly Activity Report, managing content and scheduling
  • Coordinates logistics and develops messaging for internal and external events
  • Acts as primary author for various written communications including articles and newsletters
  • Prepares drafts based on input from subject matter experts
  • Conducts quality checks for products meant for publication
  • Advises leadership on messaging clarity and presentation delivery

Benefits

  • Medical, dental, and vision coverage
  • Paid time off (PTO) and holidays
  • 401(k) retirement plan options
  • Professional development and training opportunities
Full Job Description
Job Type

Full-time

Description

DarkStar Intelligence is seeking Senior Communications Specialist onsite in McLean, VA. Supports the Intelligence Community customer by leading strategic communications support, including the development, preparation, production, coordination, and editing of high-visibility products. Serves as an independent self-starter and communications SME who can plan and execute work with minimal oversight. Responsible for end-to-end support for strategic communications requirements, including logistics, writing, collection, coordination, and delivery of the Weekly Activity Report, as well as internal and external event support. Collaborates closely with design and web teams to ensure accurate, timely information flow across platforms and products.

Responsibilities
  • Leads strategic communications support for customer requirements, including strategy and planning documents, leadership messaging, talking points, speeches, remarks, and executive communications.
  • Owns the Weekly Activity Report lifecycle, including collecting inputs, drafting/editing content, coordinating reviews, managing version control, and delivering final products on schedule.
  • Supports internal and external events by coordinating logistics, developing messaging and supporting materials, and producing post-event summaries or follow-on communications as needed.
  • Serves as the primary author for fact sheets, articles, email messaging, newsletter content, marketing copy, website content, and other communications products, as required.
  • Prepares assignments and drafts based on input from subject matter experts and leadership direction.
  • Researches, writes, edits, formats, and conducts quality checks for products intended for hardcopy and electronic publication, including dissemination across multiple platforms.
  • Ensures accuracy, consistency, readability, tone, and accessibility compliance appropriate to the medium and audience.
  • Rewrites and refines submissions to improve organization, clarity, grammar, and flow while maintaining intent and tradecraft standards.
  • Prepares and edits speeches, scripts, testimony materials, and formal statements for senior executives for live or recorded delivery.
  • Advises and coaches leadership on messaging clarity and presentation delivery when requested.


Requirements

  • Active TS/SCI with CI-Polygraph security clearance.
  • Bachelor's degree and 18+ years of relevant experience, 10+ with a Masters or 24+ years of relevant experience without a degree.
  • Demonstrated experience producing executive-level communications, including leadership messaging, talking points, speeches, and written products for senior audiences.
  • Strong writing, editing, and proofreading skills with the ability to convey complex information clearly and simply.
  • Proven ability to operate independently, manage competing priorities, and deliver high-quality products under time constraints.
  • Experience coordinating across stakeholders and multidisciplinary teams, including design and web support.
  • Familiarity with accessibility and publication standards and applying them to written and web-based products.
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and collaboration tools (e.g., MS Teams, SharePoint).
  • Working knowledge of Adobe Creative Cloud tools to support content development and coordination.

Salary Range

$115,000 - $155,000 per year This pay range is a general guideline and not a guarantee of specific compensation or salary. When extending an offer, DarkStar Intelligence considers various factors, including (but not limited to) the job's responsibilities, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, market data alignment, applicable bargaining agreements (if any), and other relevant laws.

Benefits Overview

DarkStar Intelligence offers a comprehensive benefits package, which may include:
  • Medical, dental, and vision coverage
  • Paid time off (PTO) and holidays
  • 401(k) retirement plan options
  • Professional development and training opportunities

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