Senior Speechwriter – Executive Communications Specialist

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in District of Columbia, +1 more state.

📋 Description

• Conduct thorough research, draft, edit, and coordinate a variety of executive-level communications including speeches, keynote addresses, prepared remarks, talking points, executive messages, event packets, briefing books, speaker biographies, panel materials, video scripts, ceremonial remarks, introductions, and more.

• Create communications that genuinely reflect the unique voice, leadership style, priorities, vocabulary, cadence, and perspective of each senior leader.

• Develop and enhance executive voice profiles by utilizing speeches, interviews, correspondence, public appearances, policy priorities, and direct feedback.

• Modify executive communications for diverse formats including keynotes, government engagements, conferences, webinars, panels, fireside chats, roundtables, town halls, military and family events, ceremonies, media appearances, recorded video, virtual engagements, and workforce communications.

• Write for verbal delivery, considering pacing, transitions, rhetorical structure, storytelling, emphasis, audience interaction, and timing.

• Prepare speaker biographies, executive briefing documents, event packets, and other preparation materials for senior leaders.

• Collaborate with event teams to gather insights on agendas, audiences, run-of-show requirements, objectives, and logistics.

• Translate intricate Department of Defense policies, initiatives, research, data, and program information into clear, credible narratives suitable for the audience.

• Conduct research and interviews with executives and subject-matter experts to form themes, stories, data points, and policy messages.

• Maintain a solid understanding of the MC&FP mission and portfolio, which includes military family readiness, spouse employment, child and youth programs, special needs support, community programs, advocacy and prevention, MWR, resale, casualty and mortuary affairs, and Military OneSource.

• Link speeches and executive engagements to MC&FP strategic priorities and military and family readiness.

• Support message consistency across executive engagements, communications products, organizational priorities, and approved frameworks.

• Work in tandem with communications strategists, content teams, policy experts, program leaders, public affairs professionals, event staff, and other stakeholders.

• Anticipate audience interests, sensitivities, policy considerations, and concerns in the development of executive materials.

• Generate briefing and preparation materials for questions, stakeholder interactions, panels, media engagements, and unscripted appearances.

• Ensure that all materials are accurate, up-to-date, suitable for the audience, and in line with Department guidance, approved messaging, and clearance requirements.

• Organize and maintain repositories of approved speeches, remarks, talking points, biographies, and messaging guidance.

• Oversee document development, editorial workflows, version control, coordination, and rapid revisions.

• Manage multiple concurrent, high-visibility executive writing assignments under tight and shifting timelines.

⛳️ Requirements

• An active Secret security clearance or higher is mandatory.

• A bachelor's degree in English, Journalism, Communications, or a related field is essential.

• A minimum of five (5) years of professional experience in writing speeches, talking points, executive remarks, or other forms of executive-level communications is required.

• Proven experience in supporting leadership communications within government, nonprofit, corporate, public affairs, or similarly complex organizational settings.

• Demonstrated capability in producing polished communications for senior executives or public-facing leaders.

• A proven ability to write with clarity, conciseness, persuasiveness, and in an executive tone.

• Demonstrated skill in writing in the voice of another and recognizing the distinct voices, styles, and communication preferences of multiple senior leaders.

• Proven ability to tailor speeches and executive communications to significantly different audiences, venues, purposes, and delivery formats.

• Exceptional research and synthesis abilities, including the capacity to translate complex policy, technical, programmatic, or organizational information into clear and accessible narratives.

• Proficiency in document development, editorial workflows, collaborative review processes, and version control.

• A strong grasp of communications best practices, message discipline, audience segmentation, narrative development, and executive communications.

• Demonstrated ability to quickly research unfamiliar subjects and produce accurate, credible executive-level communications.

• Capability to manage sensitive, high-visibility assignments and deliver polished products under tight and sometimes unpredictable deadlines.

• Ability to interact directly with senior leaders and their teams, rapidly incorporate executive-level feedback, and apply sound judgment, discretion, responsiveness, and attention to detail.

• Exceptional skills in writing, editing, research, and storytelling.

• Ability to distill complex information into concise, compelling, and memorable spoken communications.

• Ability to adjust tone, voice, narrative style, length, and format for various executives, audiences, events, and delivery mediums.

• Strong attention to detail and a commitment to factual and policy accuracy.

• Excellent organizational and time-management skills, including the ability to handle multiple priorities and rapid-turn assignments simultaneously.

• Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills across executive leadership, communications, policy, program, public affairs, and event teams.

• Sound professional judgment with the capacity to manage sensitive information and high-visibility communications requirements with discretion.

🏝️ Benefits

• Primarily remote work arrangement.

• Up to 25% travel to the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area as needed.

• Regular full-time employment.