National Security Strategic Communications Director (Legislative Affairs Focus) (TS / SCI Security Clearance Required)
Leadership Communications role at protagonist. Washington · $124,000–$190,000 base.
Growth Roles summary, based on the employer's posting.
What you'll do
- You'll serve as the main point of contact for senior U.S. Government stakeholders
- You'll set engagement priorities and direct analysts and communications staff toward client needs
- You'll build communication plans, strategies, and high-impact deliverables for the client
- You'll develop Legislative Affairs approaches and plans for managing stakeholders
- You'll anticipate issues, guide a distributed team, and mentor its members
What you bring
- You hold an active TS/SCI clearance and can work on site in the Washington area
- You have a bachelor's degree plus at least ten years of relevant experience, or an advanced degree plus seven years
- Your background is in communication, marketing, psychology, political science, or another social science field
- You've advised senior government leaders on visible national security work, preferably with DoD
- You can lead complex engagements, influence decisions, explain difficult subjects clearly, and bring Hill or Legislative Affairs experience
Who this fits
You’ll suit a high-autonomy director role centered on senior government advising, client leadership, and direction of a distributed team. The job is primarily on site in the Washington, D.C., Maryland, or Virginia area, with occasional remote work and domestic travel. An active TS/SCI clearance is required.
From the employer
Join Our Talented Team at Protagonist
We fuse rigorous, methodologically sound analysis with our cutting-edge technology platform, Narrative Analytics®. This powerful combination enables us to quantitatively analyze open-source media, deliver strategic recommendations, and craft executive-level communication strategies for clients with missions that matter.
Why Us?
Our team is a vibrant mix of communication specialists, data scientists, and subject matter experts with extensive experience across U.S. Government agencies, non-profit organizations, and Fortune 500 companies. By joining Protagonist, you’ll immerse yourself in a collaborative environment where innovation thrives, and your contributions truly matter.
What We Do
- Innovative Solutions: We co-develop cutting-edge solutions with our clients to address tough communication problems and capitalize on opportunities to make a tangible impact.
- Data-Driven Insights: Our tools and methodologies provide actionable insights that help clients meet their communication objectives and stay ahead of global challenges.
- Applied Expertise: We integrate our solutions within client organizations, leveraging our profound expertise to address critical issues and ensure sustainable success.
Be Part of Something Bigger
At Protagonist, you’ll work on compelling projects that make a real difference. We seek talented individuals eager to contribute to our mission and grow alongside us. If you’re passionate about communication, data analysis, and making an impact, we invite you to explore a career with Protagonist.
Explore Your Future with Us!
Ready to take the next step in your career? Join us at Protagonist and be part of a team that's making a difference.
Job Description
Protagonist is seeking a National Security Strategic Communications Director (Legislative Affairs Focus) to support a high-visibility national security initiative.
This role sits at the center of the engagement—you will own the client relationship, shape the strategic direction of the work, and guide a distributed team delivering analysis and communication products.
If you can sit across from senior leaders, understand what they actually need (not just what they say), and turn that into direction for a team, this is your lane. This is a high-autonomy, high-visibility role where you’ll shape both the client relationship and the work itself, not just execute against it.
Responsibilities
- Serve as the primary interface to senior U.S. Government stakeholders
- Set the strategic direction for the engagement and ensure all work aligns to client priorities
- Translate client needs into clear guidance for analysts and communications staff
- Lead development of communication strategies, plans, and high-impact products
- Develop Legislative engagement strategies and stakeholder management plans
- Anticipate emerging issues and shape work before the client asks for it
- Manage and mentor a distributed team
- Maintain strong relationships across client and internal leadership
Requirements
- The position requires on-site work (occasional remote opportunities) in the Washington Metropolitan Area (D.C., Maryland, Virginia) for a Federal Government client. Occasional domestic travel may be required
- Active TS/SCI clearance required
- Bachelor's degree with 10+ years of work experience or advanced degree with 7+ years of work experience in communication, marketing, psychology, political science, or other social science fields. Relevant military or prior government experience in lieu of a four-year degree considered
- Experience advising senior government leaders on high-visibility national security initiatives (DoD strongly preferred)
- Proven ability to lead complex engagements and influence decision-making
- Strong communicator who can translate complex topics into clear messaging
- Experience working the Hill, or in Legislative Affairs, strongly desired
- Background in defense, space, or national security environments is a plus
Additional Information
If you’re passionate about technology and making an impact, apply today! Protagonist is dedicated to fostering a welcoming and innovating environment where everyone’s voice can make a difference.
Protagonist is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Salary Range: $124,000-$190,000 based on education and level of relevant experience.
Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.