Lead Strategic Communications Specialist

Lead Strategic Communications Specialist 

Location: Remote (with periodic on-site at VA facilities) | Full-Time | Clearance: VA Eligible 

Position Overview 

Commonwealth Strategic Solutions is seeking a Lead Strategic Communications Specialist to lead the planning, development, and execution of strategic communications for a high-visibility clinical informatics program within the Department of Veterans Affairs. This role requires experience managing communications in complex federal healthcare environments, with a strong understanding of change leadership, stakeholder engagement, and the ability to translate clinical and technical content for diverse audiences. Experience supporting VA’s Electronic Health Record Modernization (EHRM) initiative or similar large-scale federal health IT transformation programs is highly desired. 

Key Responsibilities 

• Develop and execute organizational communications strategies for clinical informatics programs, tailored to clinical, technical, administrative, and executive audiences 

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

• Oversee the design and delivery of digital, print, and multimedia communications products 

• Ensure all communications reflect the organization’s values, tone, and visual identity standards 

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

• Lead a high-performing communications team, providing direction on content strategy, editorial standards, and production workflows 

• Compile inputs and corrections from authors and stakeholders, resolve incompatible comments, and deliver final publishable materials 

• Translate complex scientific and technical concepts into clear, accessible language for non-specialist audiences 

• Support change leadership communications for clinical informatics system deployments, including EHR transitions 

Work Location 

Remote with periodic on-site support at VA facilities as required. Candidates in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area are preferred. 

Equal Opportunity 

Commonwealth Strategic Solutions is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage veterans, service-disabled veterans, and individuals from all backgrounds to apply. 

Required Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Affairs, Journalism, English, or a related field 

• 10 years of experience in strategic communications or public affairs 

• 8 years of experience managing communication functions, including formulation and execution of communication strategy, tactics, and messaging design 

• Experience with AP-style editing and production of narrative and multimedia products 

• Proficiency with word processing, spreadsheet, graphics, and scheduling tools 

• Demonstrated experience explaining scientific and technical ideas in accessible language 

Strongly Preferred Qualifications 

• Direct experience supporting VA’s Electronic Health Record Modernization (EHRM) program, including communications for clinical workflow changes, Go-Live events, or end-user adoption campaigns 

• Prior work within VHA, OHT (Office of Health Technology), OIT (Office of Information and Technology), or VA’s Office of Clinical Informatics (OCI) 

• Experience developing communications for clinical informatics deployments, EHR transitions, or health IT transformation programs in a federal setting 

• Understanding of change leadership frameworks (e.g., Prosci/ADKAR) as applied to communications strategy 

• Experience supporting SAFe/Agile delivery environments, including communications aligned with PI Planning cadences and sprint milestones 

• Familiarity with VA’s organizational structure, stakeholder landscape, and decision-making processes 

• Experience creating 508-compliant communications products for federal audiences 

• Prior experience developing communications strategies for multi-site rollouts across VA Medical Centers or VISNs 

Clearance & Citizenship 

• Must be a U.S. citizen 

• Must be eligible for VA clearance/background investigation 

• Ability to obtain and maintain a government-issued Personal Identity Verification (PIV) badge 

Salary : $90,000 - $130,000