Communications Specialist

Aptive is looking for a Communications Specialist who is highly organized and skilled to have a seat in an AI Strategy, Governance, and Operations initiative in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). It is best suited to communications professionals who like technology, government programs and complex content, and who want to do more than just write prose, create infographics and audiovisuals, and go to conferences—they want to capture their audience’s attention using these tools.

Working in this capacity, you will be responsible for daily communications work with senior technical and program leadership. Your work will be instrumental in disseminating key information regarding AI, technology priorities, governance, and responsible considerations for AI usage to a range of stakeholder audiences.

Key Responsibilities

• Communications Specialist will design and update various communications pieces such as briefing, talking points, Executive Summaries, Newsletters, Meeting Materials, and Presentations.
• A substantial component of the job involves communicating intricate ideas in AI and technology into words that are easy to understand, particularly to parties that aren’t technical. Will collaborate closely with subject matter experts, program managers and senior leadership to ensure communications is reflecting the program priorities and key initiatives.
• You will also be able to manage digital communications channels like Sharepoint sites, Microsoft Teams workspaces, and internal portals that provide stakeholders with timely access to up-to-date program information and communications.
• Other duties involve assisting with internal and external meetings, and include making agendas and recording any actions, meeting summaries and tracking communication related actions. The successful candidate will also play a supporting role by providing communications planning and strategy to ensure a seamless message from leadership down through the ranks and across agency wide initiatives.

Qualifications

• It is preferred that the learning experience is in a technical, government or public sector or other complex organizational context, xperience in professional communications of at least 2 years duration preferred.
• No degree is required and some relevant previous work experience in communications, or public affairs, or technical writing or similar may be granted.
• Experience in supporting Federal agencies, Government Contractors and/or Large public sector programs is a strong preference. Some VA programs as well as understanding the field of healthcare technology or government communication standards could be beneficial.
• The candidate should know how to use Microsoft Office 365, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, SharePoint, Zoom and Webex. Excellent communication skills, organization, attention to detail and multi-tasking.

Preferred Experience

• Relevant experience in supporting AI, Data, Digital Transformation, Technology Modernization, AI governance or responsible AI is a plus. It is an ideal position for candidates who have experience developing communications strategies, or change management messaging, in fast changing environments.
• Applicants must hold the requisite security and privacy regulations, network access requirements, on-boarding requirements and be required training for VA staff and be authorized to work in the United States.
• This is a great opportunity for communications people to help shape a significant federal project and make complex AI and technology information more easily accessible for those who need it.