Strategic Communications Strategist

Position Summary

Creek Technologies is seeking a Strategic Communications Strategist to support AFWERX strategic communication initiatives and organizational priorities. This position will develop, implement, and manage integrated communication strategies designed to engage internal and external stakeholders, industry partners, government organizations, and the broader innovation ecosystem.

The Strategic Communications Strategist will work closely with AFWERX leadership, subject matter experts, and cross-functional teams to develop targeted messaging, communication campaigns, and content that effectively communicates organizational priorities, program performance, and mission objectives. The ideal candidate will possess strong strategic planning, project management, stakeholder engagement, and communication skills and be comfortable working in a fast-paced, highly dispersed environment.

Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and manage comprehensive strategic communication plans aligned with AFWERX organizational objectives, mission priorities, and leadership goals.
• Conduct research and assess communication requirements to identify target audiences, key messages, appropriate communication channels, and engagement strategies.
• Develop integrated communication campaigns across traditional media, social media, websites, presentations, internal communications, and other digital platforms.
• Prepare communication plans and deliverables for Government review and approval.
• Collaborate with leadership, subject matter experts, and cross-functional teams to develop messaging and content supporting AFWERX programs and initiatives.
• Serve as the Strategic Communications point of contact for assigned divisions, organizations, or programs.
• Develop internal communication materials that keep personnel informed of organizational initiatives, priorities, accomplishments, and program performance.
• Ensure communications comply with organizational branding, messaging standards, and applicable Operational Security (OPSEC) requirements.
• Build and maintain relationships with government agencies, industry partners, non-governmental organizations, and other ecosystem stakeholders.
• Identify opportunities for cross-functional and cross-organizational communication initiatives.
• Support content development teams, including writers, designers, and video producers.
• Tailor communication products and messaging to effectively reach specific target audiences.
• Track and measure communication effectiveness using analytics, stakeholder feedback, engagement metrics, and other measurable outcomes.
• Provide recommendations to improve communication strategies, tools, processes, and overall effectiveness.
• Stay current on emerging communication trends, technologies, platforms, and industry best practices.
• Participate in meetings and discussions to gather information necessary to support communication products and strategic initiatives.
• Manage multiple communication projects, priorities, and deadlines simultaneously.
• Travel as required to support stakeholder engagement, ecosystem partnerships, events, and AFWERX program activities.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of 7 years of relevant professional experience in strategic communications, program management, public relations, marketing, stakeholder engagement, or a related field.
• Strong strategic planning and project management skills with demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and competing deadlines.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal, networking, and relationship-building skills with the ability to collaborate with diverse internal and external stakeholders.
• Experience developing integrated communication plans, campaigns, messaging strategies, and communication products.
• Ability to extend organizational narratives across multiple communication channels to achieve defined communication objectives.
• Experience measuring communication effectiveness through analytics, reporting, evaluation, and stakeholder feedback.
• Ability to translate complex organizational or technical information into clear, audience-appropriate messaging.
• Strong critical thinking, organizational, time-management, and attention-to-detail skills.
• Self-motivated with the ability to work independently and collaboratively within a highly dispersed organization.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment and adapt to changing priorities and tight deadlines.
• Proficiency with digital communication and collaboration tools, including Google Workspace.
• Ability and willingness to travel as required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience supporting the Department of Defense, U.S. Air Force, federal government, military organizations, or government contracting environments.
• Experience developing strategic communications for complex programs, organizations, or government initiatives.
• Experience working with senior leadership, government stakeholders, industry partners, and cross-functional teams.
• Experience supporting communications involving innovation, technology, acquisition, or national defense programs.
• Knowledge of Operational Security (OPSEC) considerations when developing and distributing communication products.
• Experience supporting content development across social media, digital platforms, internal communications, press releases, presentations, events, and multimedia products.
• Demonstrated experience using communication analytics and performance data to improve communication strategies and campaigns.

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Relations, Marketing, Business, or a related field is required.
• Master's degree in Business Administration (MBA), Organizational Management, Strategic Management, Program/Project Management, Communications, or a related discipline is preferred
• Experience supporting technology, innovation, acquisition, research and development, or mission-focused government programs.
• Experience advising senior leaders on strategic communications, stakeholder engagement, messaging, or communication strategy.

Other:

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
We recognize that people come with a wealth of experience and talent beyond just the technical requirements of the job. If your experience is close to what you see listed here, please still consider applying. Diversity of experience and skills combined with passion is a key to innovation and excellence; therefore, we encourage people from all backgrounds to apply to our positions. Please let us know if you require accommodation during the interview process.