Strategic Communication Outreach Specialist

Level: Senior

Location:

McLean, VA / Washington, DC (onsite and offsite support as authorized by the customer).

Clearance:
No Clearance Required. However the agency will conduct a National Agency Check and Inquiries (with fingerprinting), which consists of searches of records covering specific areas of a person's background during the past five (5) years. Those inquiries are sent to current and past employers, schools attended, references, and local law enforcement authorities.

Education:

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Communications, Marketing, Public Relations, Journalism, or closely-related field.

• Deliver accurate, high-quality, accessible, and timely products and services that meet FHWA requirements and support positive Government performance feedback.
• Identify and resolve quality, coordination, schedule, or technical issues early enough to prevent customer or mission impact.

The Strategic Communication Outreach Specialist develops and executes integrated communications, marketing, and stakeholder outreach strategies to promote FHWA research initiatives and expand audience engagement. Specific responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Blend high-level strategic planning with hands-on content creation, digital marketing, and stakeholder engagement.
• Translate complex technical or policy information into accessible, high-impact content across digital and print platforms, ensuring a cohesive and influential online presence for the agency and its primary publications.
• Collaborate with Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center’s (TFHRC’s) Communications Team:
  • Partner with the team to design, execute, and evaluate communication strategies for TFHRC initiatives, including stakeholder outreach, marketing plans, event‑specific strategies, and targeted campaign efforts.
  • Provide Strategic Messaging and Creative Guidance:
    • Develop and advise on messaging, strategies, tactics, and audience engagement methods.
    • Provide up‑to‑date creative insights, industry trends, best practices, and recommendations for brand management improvements, while supporting outreach campaign planning and implementation.
• Strategic Planning & Campaign Management:
  • Develop and execute comprehensive outreach strategies and promotional campaigns.
  • Manage multiple, simultaneous projects tailored to diverse audiences across various media outlets, ensuring messaging is effectively altered for each demographic.
• Lead Magazine Marketing & Growth Efforts:
  • Lead all marketing efforts to increase magazine subscriptions and digital readership. This includes managing quarterly promotions, providing branding support, and coordinating with authors for feature story promotion.
• Create Digital Presence and Content:
  • Generate high-quality content, including writing, editing, and designing graphics for social media, web pages, and electronic newsletters.
  • Ensure the magazine and agency maintain a cohesive, professional online presence.
• Conduct Market Research & Analytics:
  • Conduct in-depth market research and reader surveys to refine outreach strategies.
  • Measure and evaluate the effectiveness of all campaigns and social media efforts using advanced analytics to drive data-informed decisions.
• Lead Stakeholder Engagement:
  • Create and maintain a stakeholder engagement plan, gathering and analyzing stakeholder data to guide strategy development and strengthen brand positioning.
• Supply Domestic Public Relations Support:
  • Facilitate engagement with State departments of transportation, transportation industry partners, domestic transportation committees and organizations, businesses, and interest groups to advance TFHRC’s mission.
• Provide Event & Outreach Support:
  • Provide comprehensive staffing and marketing support for trade shows, conferences, and internal/external events.
  • Develop event‑specific materials and innovative strategies to engage attendees and increase subscriptions.
• Spearhead Internal Communication and Employee Engagement:
  • Assist in developing and implementing internal communication strategies and tactics that build employee engagement and alignment.
• Conduct Technical Translation:
  • Synthesize complex highway, surface transportation, or policy information into compelling…