Sr. Public Affairs / Communication Specialist

Overview

SR. PUBLIC AFFAIRS / COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST (NAVAIR):

Bowhead seeks a Sr. Public Affairs / Communication Specialist to support the NAVAIR contract located in Patuxent River, MD. The Sr. Public Affairs / Communication Specialist will provide strategic internal and external communications to strengthen organizational visibility, enhance stakeholder engagement, and maintain a consistent public image. This role requires a highly experienced communications professional with demonstrated expertise in communication strategy, content development, and program coordination.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute internal and external communication strategies that support organizational goals.

• Maintain and reinforce the organization’s corporate image and identity through consistent messaging and branding.

• Assess advertising, promotion, and public engagement activities to ensure alignment with communication objectives.

• Create, curate, and publish a monthly Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) newsletter on SharePoint Online, including:

• A message from senior leadership

• “Get to Know Us” spotlight features highlighting team or program personnel

• A selection of 5–7 relevant news articles sourced internally and externally

• Interactive engagement elements with a non‑monetary prize system

• Draft press releases, speeches, talking points, and executive communication materials.

• Prepare content for distribution to media channels and respond to media inquiries.

• Manage digital and social media efforts to monitor engagement and assess public sentiment.

• Coordinate the organization’s internal awards program, including communication cycles, recognition activities, and event support.

• Support steering groups, leadership boards, or similar organizational committees, including scheduling, correspondence, documentation, and communication products.

• Arrange interviews, briefings, and public appearances for senior leadership.

• Develop speeches or executive messaging to support major organizational initiatives and events.

Qualifications

• Minimum of ten (10+) years of relevant experience in public affairs, communications, media relations, or a related field.

• MA/MS degree in communications, public relations, journalism, marketing, public affairs, or a related discipline. (Bachelor’s Degree plus 2 years additional work experience may be substituted for a Master’s Degree).

• Demonstrated ability to manage complex communication programs and produce high‑quality written content.

• Strong understanding of media relations, internal communications, stakeholder engagement, and digital communication tools.

• Experience with SharePoint Online and multimedia content development.

• Ability to assess public sentiment and communication trends across digital platforms.

Physical Demands:

• Must be able to lift up to 15 to 25 pounds

• Must be able to stand and walk for prolonged amounts of time

• Must be able to twist, bend and squat periodically

Target salary range is between $90,000 - $105,000 commensurate with experience.

Please note that the salary information is a general guideline only. Bowhead considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, as well as, market and business considerations when extending an offer.

SECURITY CLEARANCE REQUIREMENTS: Must be able to maintain a clearance at the Secret level. US Citizenship is a requirement for Secret clearance at this location.

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Applicants may be subject to a pre-employment drug & alcohol screening and/or random drug screen, and must follow UIC’s Non-DOT Drug & Alcohol Testing Program requirements. If the position requires, an applicant must pass a pre-employment criminal background history check. All post-secondary education listed on the applicant’s resume/application may be subject to verification.

Where driving may be required or where a rental car must be obtained for business travel purposes, applicants must have a valid driver license for this position and will be subject to verification. In addition, the applicant must pass an in-house, online, driving course to be authorized to drive for company purposes.

UIC is an equal opportunity employer. Ukpeaġvik Iñupiat Corporation (UIC) considers all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender or gender identity, pregnancy, national origin, age, disability, military/veteran status, marital status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status EOE/D/V. Pursuant to The Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act 43 U.S.C. Sec. 1601 et seq., and subject to other state and federal requirements, UIC and its subsidiaries may legally grant certain preference in employment opportunities to UIC Shareholders and their Descendants. Please view Equal Employment Opportunity posters here .

All candidates must apply online at www.uicalaska.com , and submit a completed application for all positions they wish to be considered. Once the employment application has been completed and submitted, any changes to the application after submission may not be reviewed. Please contact a UIC HR Recruiter if you have made a significant change to your application. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), persons unable to complete an online application should contact UIC Human Resources for assistance www.uicalaska.com/careers/recruitment/ .

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)

UIC Government Services (UICGS / Bowhead) provides innovative business solutions to federal and commercial customers in the areas of engineering, maintenance services, information technology, program support, logistics/base support, and procurement. Collectively, the fast-growing Bowhead Family of Companies offers a breadth of services which are performed with a focus on quality results. Headquartered in Springfield, VA, we are a fast-growing, multi-million-dollar company recognized as a top Alaska Native Corporation providing services across the Department of Defense and many federal agencies. Bowhead offers competitive benefits including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment, short/long-term disability, and 401(k) retirement plans as well as a paid time off programs for eligible full-time employees. Eligible part-time employees are able to participate in the 401(k) retirement plans and state or contract required paid time off programs.

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ID 2026-26180

Category Marketing & Communication

Location : Location US-MD-Patuxent River

Clearance Level Must Be Able to Obtain Secret

Minimum Clearance Required Secret

Travel Requirement 10% - 25%