Independent Contractor Integrated Strategic Communication Jobs in Reston, VA

The Senior Communications Team Lead for the Military Health System (MHS) Communications and Public Affairs Division (CPAD) provides advanced leadership and subject-matter expertise for all communications and public affairs work within CPAD. This role is responsible for planning, developing, and executing high-impact, data-driven communications strategies and supervising project teams to ensure all contract and Government objectives are achieved. The Team Lead serves as a primary strategic advisor to the division and leads the coordination of all communications activities, special projects, crisis messaging, and outreach initiatives. Essential Duties & Responsibilities: * Lead, manage, and mentor a high-performing team of strategic communications professionals to deliver on all contractual requirements for the assigned division.
* Coordinate and execute major projects and special programs in collaboration with Government communications teams and the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR).
* Design and implement integrated strategic communications plans, including social media, traditional media, internal communications, and outreach tactics, ensuring alignment of messaging across all platforms.
* Drive and monitor the delivery of multiple concurrent communications plans, balancing both planning phases and execution to maximize reach and impact.
* Oversee analytics, measurement, and reporting of communications effectiveness, using data to inform strategies and continuously improve outcomes.
* Compose and coordinate public affairs guidance, speeches, talking points, executive correspondence, OP-EDs, news articles, and high-level messages for senior leaders within the Military Health System, DoD, or allied healthcare organizations.
* Lead the response to critical communications needs, including crisis communications and stakeholder engagement, ensuring timely, accurate, and coordinated messaging.
* Foster stakeholder collaboration, supporting partnerships and relationships with key external and internal audiences.
* Provide expert oral and written communications support; review, edit, and approve high-visibility materials.
* Maintain knowledge of best practices, trends, and emerging tools in strategic communications and government public affairs. Requirements Minimum Qualifications: * Education: Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Marketing, Public Affairs, or a related discipline required. Advanced degree preferred.
* Experience: 7+ years’ experience designing and managing multifaceted communications plans and leading diverse teams to achieve measurable strategic objectives.
* Background: Prior military or civilian federal service strongly preferred; senior-level experience in the Military Health System (MHS), another DoD activity, or analogous healthcare industry is desirable.
* Security Clearance: Public Trust, active or past clearance is preferred.
Skills & Abilities: * Extensive, proven track record in strategic communications planning with verifiable results.
* Demonstrated excellence in integrated communications (strategic planning, social media, media relations, internal comms, and outreach/engagement).
* Experience overseeing analytics and communications impact measurement, leveraging data for continuous improvement.
* Ability to draft and coordinate high-level Public Affairs Guidance and executive messaging.
* Superior oral and written communications skills; capable of representing executive leaders and agencies in all settings.
* Experience developing content for executive stakeholders, including speeches, news articles, OP-EDs, and media responses.
* Excellent leadership, program management, and team coordination skills, able to manage multiple large-scale projects and teams simultaneously.
Key Attributes: * Collaborative, results-driven, and organized.
* Able to balance fast-turn deliverables and long-range planning.
* Unwavering professionalism and attention to quality and compliance. About Vistra:  Vistra Communications, doing business as Vistra and Vistra Federal Solutions, is a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) headquartered in Tampa, FL with an office in Alexandria, VA providing professional support serviced to Defense, Federal, and Civilian Agencies.  Approximately 25% of our “team member” employees work in the National Capital Region, providing communications, outreach, and organizational transformation services to our public sector customers.  Vistra provides medical, dental, and vision benefits, life and disability insurance, employer matching 401(k) retirement plan, Paid Time Off, Parental and Bereavement Leave, and Professional Development, among other benefits.  US Citizenship Required: Due to the requirements of the federal contract that this position supports, U.S. citizenship is required. Citizenship will be confirmed via I-9/E-Verify at the start of employment.