Senior Media Relations / Public Affairs

Leidos currently has a contingent opening for a Senior Media Relations/Public Affairs position to work between our Reston, VA office and the customer site in Falls Church, VA. This is an exciting opportunity to use your experience helping the Defense Health Agency mission. In this mission we support the Defense Health Agency (DHA) and Military Health System (MHS) Communications and Public Affairs teams in executing a high-visibility media relations program that informs key audiences about military health and medicine. The Senior Media Relations/Public Affairs professional will work closely with Government public affairs officers to respond to national and industry media inquiries, prepare senior leaders and subject matter experts for media engagements, monitor and analyze news coverage, and support proactive media outreach. This position requires strong news judgment, exceptional writing and research skills, and the ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced communications environment while supporting timely, accurate, and coordinated public affairs activities.

Primary Responsibilities.

• Support Government public affairs officers in the execution of the DHA/MHS media relations mission, including receiving, researching, coordinating, and developing responses to daily media inquiries in accordance with established Government procedures.
• Develop comprehensive media interview preparation packages for senior leaders and subject matter experts, including anticipated questions and recommended responses, reporter background, previous related engagements, relevant historical context, and media coverage from the preceding 12 months.
• Conduct daily and overnight media monitoring of national, industry, and other relevant news sources to identify coverage affecting DHA, the Military Health System, and the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs.
• Compile and prepare the MHS Early Bird, a daily news clips product containing relevant media coverage for distribution to senior Military Health System leaders and public affairs teams worldwide by 6:30 a.m. Eastern Time each workday.
• Prepare Medical Media Highlights, an executive-level daily report identifying and summarizing the three to six most significant media stories for senior MHS and DHA communications leadership.
• Monitor breaking news throughout the workday and rapidly alert Government communications leaders to emerging issues that may affect DHA, MHS components, or senior leadership.
• Develop special-topic media monitoring reports in response to emerging issues or subjects of particular interest to Government leadership.
• Prepare and distribute a daily media Situation Report (SITREP) summarizing open media inquiries, press releases, media advisories, and priority media coverage.
• Support proactive media outreach by conducting research, identifying newsworthy angles, developing media pitches and preparation materials, and maintaining records of outreach activities.
• Provide media training and preparation support to senior leaders and subject matter experts before interviews and other media engagements.
• Conduct media analysis, including assessment of coverage, media placement data, message penetration, and accuracy of reporting.
• Review media coverage to evaluate alignment with key messages and identify potential communications opportunities, risks, or areas requiring follow-up.
• Coordinate closely with Government public affairs officers, communications leaders, subject matter experts, and other stakeholders to ensure media products and responses are accurate, timely, and appropriately coordinated.

Basic Qualifications.

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing, English, Political Science, or a related field and a minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience in media relations, public affairs, strategic communications, journalism, or a related discipline.
• Demonstrated experience researching, drafting, coordinating, and responding to media inquiries in a deadline-driven environment.
• Experience preparing senior leaders, executives, or subject matter experts for media interviews, including development of talking points, anticipated questions and answers, background materials, and media profiles.
• Strong understanding of media relations practices, news cycles, media monitoring, and proactive media engagement.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with demonstrated ability to translate complex or technical information into clear, concise, audience-appropriate communications.
• Strong news judgment and the ability to rapidly identify emerging issues, assess their potential communications impact, and elevate relevant information to leadership.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple competing priorities and produce accurate, high-quality communications products under tight deadlines.
• Experience developing executive-level media summaries, situation reports, news clips, or comparable communications products.
• U.S. citizenship and ability to obtain and maintain any required security clearance.
• Strong research, analytical, organizational, and attention-to-detail skills.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with Government customers, senior leaders, communications professionals, and subject matter experts.
• Ability and willingness to support early-morning media monitoring and reporting requirements associated with daily communications products.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and familiarity with media monitoring, research, or communications management tools.

Preferred Qualifications.

• Prior military or civilian service is preferable.
• Experience supporting the Defense Health Agency, Military Health System, DoD, or other federal health or defense organizations.
• Experience working in healthcare communications, military public affairs, or headquarters-level strategic communications environments.
• Familiarity with SOP development, communications governance, and enterprise communications toolkits.

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Original Posting:

Pay Range:

The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.