Principal, Communications - MITRE National Security

Responsibilities

• Develop and lead the end-to-end communications strategy for MITRE National Security, from priority-setting and narrative development through audience planning, channel strategy, content execution, executive support, stakeholder engagement, measurement, and after-action improvement.
• Shape proactive communications campaigns around a short list of priority national security topics and mission outcomes, focusing time and resources on the issues where communications can most improve understanding, trust, influence, and impact.
• Use an audience-first approach for every major effort: define the priority audience, the desired action or understanding, the message, the best channel, the right messenger, and the measure of success before content is created.
• Serve as a strategic communications advisor to MITRE National Security executives, leaders, and subject matter experts on messaging, narrative, stakeholder engagement, public affairs, media engagement, strategic visits, crisis communications, and reputational risk.
• Translate complex national security, technical, policy, and mission content into clear communications products, including executive messaging, talking points, briefing materials, web and social content, stories, releases, videos, fact sheets, FAQs, presentations, proof points, and plain-language value propositions.
• Coordinate across Communications and External Affairs, government relations, public affairs, digital, events, protocol, executive communications, and MITRE National Security teams so communications are aligned, timely, consistent, and not fragmented by channel or function.
• Support the development of reusable communications tools and operating rhythms, such as message frameworks, proof-point libraries, executive briefing materials, stakeholder-ready leave-behinds, content calendars, asset libraries, and campaign metrics, so teams can move faster while staying on message.
• Help create a ‘no surprises’ communications culture by identifying sensitive topics early, advising leaders and SMEs before external engagements, coordinating with public affairs and government relations when needed, and helping MITRE National Security respond quickly and thoughtfully to reputational or policy-sensitive issues.
• Define and track practical measures of communications effectiveness, such as message pull-through, stakeholder engagement, executive readiness, content reuse, audience understanding, campaign progress, and risk reduction.
• Operate as the embedded communications lead for MITRE National Security while connecting back to the broader Communications and External Affairs function, ensuring shared messaging, coordinated planning, consistent standards, and a unified voice across channels Providing communications guidance and oversight for large events both external and internal

Requirements

• Typically requires a minimum of 10 years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree; or 8 years and a Master’s degree; or a PhD with 5 years’ experience; or equivalent combination of related education and work experience
• Bachelor’s or master’s in communications, journalism, public relations, public affairs, political science, national security studies, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• Demonstrated experience developing and executing end-to-end communications strategies for complex organizations, portfolios, programs, or mission areas, including narrative development, audience strategy, channel planning, content execution, executive communications, stakeholder engagement, and measurement.
• Ability to understand and communicate national security concepts, emerging technology, scientific research, data, and mission impact in relatable terms.
• Experience supporting communications related to the Department of War, Intelligence Community, defense, homeland security, cyber, space, emerging technology, or other national security mission areas.
• Demonstrated experience developing and executing strategic communications plans for complex organizations, programs, or mission areas.
• Strong writing, editing, and storytelling skills, with the ability to produce executive-ready content under tight timelines.
• Experience translating technical, scientific, policy, or mission-oriented information into clear and compelling communications for non-technical audiences.
• Ability to advise senior leaders and operate with credibility, discretion, and sound judgment in executive-level settings.
• Experience managing multiple priorities, stakeholders, and deliverables in a dynamic environment.

Preferred

• Experience working in or with FFRDCs, federal agencies, national security organizations, or other mission-driven technical environments.
• Active Top Secret/SCI U.S. Government Issued Security Clearance
• Experience supporting strategic visits, executive engagements, public affairs, government affairs, congressional or administration-facing engagement, or policy-sensitive communications.
• Experience building reusable messaging infrastructure, such as message frameworks, proof-point libraries, executive briefing packages, FAQs, talking points, and stakeholder-ready materials.
• Experience measuring communications outcomes, not just activity or output.
• Strong interpersonal skills, including active listening, emotional intelligence, collaboration, and the ability to build trust across teams.

Benefits

• competitive benefits
• meaningful career development
• a culture of innovation, collaboration, and technical excellence