Lead Strategic Communications Specialist

About Blue Water Thinking

Guided by our principles of value generation, continuous innovation, customer-centricity, and vested collaboration, Blue Water Thinking proudly supports our Federal clients in achieving their Agency goals.

Founded by a decorated twenty-eight year Veteran of the United States Army, Blue Water Thinking understands and supports the mission of our Nation's war fighters, Veterans, their families and caretakers.

Leveraging our executive team's military experience and private and public sector consulting expertise, Blue Water Thinking takes an integrated "one-team" approach and brings to bear best-fit solutions, thought leadership, and grit to meet our client's transformational needs.

Fueled by our values of integrity, respect, professionalism, stewardship and customer service, the Blue Water Thinking team understands the power of the human connection, collaboration, humility and loyalty to one another, our clients and industry partners.

Lastly, our formula for success is simple: Build something good, take care of our people, keep our clients satisfied, nurture our work ethic and reputation, build long-lasting partnerships, enjoy what we do and give back as much as possible.

Job Description:

Blue Water Thinking is seeking an experienced and dedicated Senior Communications Product Specialist to join our team, supporting the Integrated Healthcare Transformation (IHT) initiative. This role will be critical in driving effective communication strategies for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and ensuring impactful and timely messaging for the VA’s healthcare transformation efforts. The Senior Communications Product Specialist will manage communications tasks such as public relations, information output, press releases, media requests, social media, and advertising to support the mission and vision of the IHT initiative.

Responsibilities:

• Leading communications resources for health informatics contract ensuring communication products are acceptable, of high-quality and meet industry standards.

• Develop and implement comprehensive communication strategies for VA initiatives related to healthcare transformation.

• Oversee the creation of key messages, speeches, talking points, and briefing materials for senior leaders.

• Oversee the design and delivery of digital, print, and multimedia communications products and ensure all communications reflect the organization’s value, tone and visual identity standards.

• Develop strategies for stakeholder engagement, including events, campaigns, and partnerships.

• Provide communications support for key stakeholders, including senior leadership, through the creation of communication materials such as briefings, reports, and presentations.

• Develop content for internal and external audiences, ensuring clarity, consistency, and alignment with the VA’s objectives.

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure that messaging aligns with the overall organizational goals and strategies.

• Monitor and measure the effectiveness of communication efforts and provide regular reports on performance metrics.

Minimum Qualifications:

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

• Minimum of 10 years of professional experience

• Minimum of 8 years of experience in managing communication facets of an organization, encompassing the formulation and execution of communication strategy, tactics, and messaging design.

• Proven experience in crafting and implementing organizational strategic communications plans for various audiences.

• Provide experience leading high performing communications teams.

• Strong writing, editing, and proofreading skills with a keen eye for detail, including experience with Associated Press-style narratives and multimedia products.

• Strong understanding of change leadership.

• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work collaboratively with diverse teams and stakeholders.

• Strong analytical skills to measure communication effectiveness and report on key performance metrics.

• Experience with crisis communications, including the ability to manage sensitive or high-profile issues.

• Experience meeting with authors and other team representatives to review communications material , compile inputs/corrections, resolve incompatible comments and provide final publishable materials.

• Experience explaining in simple language scientific and technical ideas that are difficult for average reader to understand.

• Experience in word processing, spreadsheet, graphics, and scheduling tools.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience supporting federal agencies, particularly the Department of Veterans Affairs.

• Knowledge of healthcare communication strategies, particularly in the context of government or public sector initiatives.

• Experience with content management systems (CMS) and analytics tools.

• Familiarity with VA healthcare policies and initiatives.

Eligibility:

• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for employer sponsorship, now or at any time in the future

• Must be able to obtain and maintain the required federal public trust clearance for this role

Compensation:

Salary for this position is determined by various factors, including but not limited to, location, the candidate’s particular combination of knowledge, skills, competencies and experience, as well as contract specific affordability and organizational requirements. The proposed salary range for this position is outlined below.

Salary range: $110,000 - $150,000

Benefits:

Blue Water Thinking offers a comprehensive benefits package including health insurance (medical, dental and vision), paid time off, federal holidays, and matching 401K plan.

Our Commitment to Equal Employment Opportunity.

Blue Water Thinking, LLC (BWT) is committed to equal employment opportunity. We recruit, employ, train, compensate, and promote without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, disability, protected veteran status, or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Applying for this Job:

• Resume must be submitted in word document format and must include dates in each section (experience, education, certifications...)

• Candidates must fill out the below form to the best of their knowledge