Public Affairs Specialist

The Public Affairs Specialist is pivotal in leading marketing and communications teams supporting our federal government clients. The Public Affairs Specialist will manage client relationships, as well as provide leadership and coaching for direct reports. The Public Affairs Specialist will develop and manage large-scale integrated marketing programs. This role is responsible for overseeing client relationships, creative development, consumer outreach, and stakeholder engagement. Strong project management and writing skills are required. Must have high attention to detail. This role is 100% remote.

Key Responsibilities 

Leadership:

• Provide coaching and oversight of execution of up to 5 direct reports.
• Direct marketing objectives, programs, and policies for all products and services for clients.
• Translate the marketing vision into integrated business plans, tactics, projects, and deliverables.
• Execute market research, digital, creative, communications, and implementation planning.
• Develop budgets, resources, and teams to execute marketing plans.
• Other duties as assigned.

Marketing:

• Review, edit and implement strategic plans, creative briefs, client presentations, and other crucial written communication materials.

•  Deliver insights on emerging trends and digital/social strategies for engaging multicultural and general market audiences.

• Review all creative concepts to ensure marketing and creative work is on-strategy and on-brand prior to client delivery.

• Establish success metrics and KPIs; identify ways to measure success against the campaign goals and achievable outcomes, as well as facilitate reporting.

• Evaluate and analyze data, including developing succinct, accurate summaries and analyses of research that include strategic recommendations for clients.

• Other duties as assigned.

Client Relationship:

• Develop strong relationships with Client(s) establishing regular communication to ensure expectations are met.
• Keep Agency management informed of the status of Client relations, including personnel changes and issues pertaining to agency performance.
• Ensure compliance with the Scope of Work.
• Develop client monthly reporting.
• Other duties as assigned.

Management and Growth:

• Balance client demands with participation in broader agency initiatives.
• Oversee project timelines and monthly reporting.
• Identify potential project risks and develop contingency plans.
• Identify opportunities to improve programs/tactics and enhance offerings to clients.
• Provide strategic guidance and tactical recommendations as needed.
• Other duties as assigned. 

Qualifications: 

Must Haves 

• Bachelor's degree in advertising, communications, journalism, public relations, or related field.
• 7 years of experience managing advertising or marketing communications.
• 3 years leading teams.
• Strong time and budget management skills.
• Ability to collaborate with others and set direction for a team.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office 365.
• Ability to meet requirements to obtain a Public Trust Clearance or an existing Public Trust or Security Clearance.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Well-organized with a keen eye for detail.
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion.
• Experience using programs such as: Brandwatch, Talkwalker, Cision, Mention, Critical Mention, BurrellesLuce, MediaRadar, NUVI, LexisNexis, Newsdesk, BuzzSumo, Awario, Muck Rack, Digimind, Radarly, Gorkana (formerly Cision)
• Experience with data-driven programs like Google Analytics. 

Nice to Haves

• Verifiable agency experience, plus expertise in integrated communications, knowledge of federal Government contracting.
• Project management expertise, and PMP certification is highly desirable.
• Knowledge of federal agency operations and policies.
• Federal government or large enterprise corporation experience.
• Experience with Public Trust or Security Clearance processes.