Strategic Communications & Public Affairs Specialist, TS/SCI req

Company Overview

By Light Professional IT Services LLC readies warfighters and federal agencies with technology and systems engineered to connect, protect, and prepare individuals and teams for whatever comes next. Headquartered in McLean, VA, By Light supports defense, civilian, and commercial IT customers worldwide.

Position Overview

By Light is seeking a dynamic and mission-driven Strategic Communications & Public Affairs Specialist to support the DoD Cyber Defense Command (DCDC) Strategic Communications Team. This hybrid role merges aspects of public affairs expertise with strategic communications and cyber policy acumen to ensure effective messaging across internal, external, and interagency stakeholders. The selected candidate will play a key role in shaping and delivering unified, mission-aligned communications that support the DCDC global cyber defense operations and policy initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Support the development and execution of comprehensive communication strategies that align with DoD Cyber Defense Command (DCDC) priorities and DoD strategic objectives.
• Support the Policy Team, DCDC leadership, and PAO offices to ensure synchronized messaging across operational and policy domains.
• Create and manage public affairs materials, including press releases, talking points, media briefs, leadership speeches, and official statements.
• Draft, edit, and coordinate internal and external communications such as strategic plans, executive memos, white papers, policy briefs, newsletters, and fact sheets.
• Assist in translating complex cyber and policy topics into clear, accessible, and actionable messaging for both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Provide communications support for cyber defense initiatives, including messaging around Zero Trust, mission assurance, threat reporting, and operational readiness.
• Monitor public and media narratives related to cyber policy and defense operations, offering proactive analysis and risk-informed recommendations.
• Ensure all communications adhere to OPSEC, classification, and public release protocols, coordinating content approval through appropriate DoD channels.
• Support event planning and execution for press engagements, stakeholder briefings, policy rollouts, and senior leader communications campaigns.

Required Experience/Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Affairs, Political Science, Cybersecurity, or related field.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in public affairs, strategic communications, or policy support within a DoD, military, or federal agency environment.
• Demonstrated expertise in strategic message development, stakeholder engagement, and cross-agency coordination.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and verbal communication skills with experience producing high-visibility content for senior leaders.
• Bachelor's degree.
• Experience using Microsoft Office Suite.

Preferred Experience/Qualifications

• Prior support to DCDC, USCYBERCOM, DISA, DoD CIO, or other cyber agencies.
• Basic understanding of cybersecurity concepts, operational communications, and DoD cyber policy frameworks.
• Familiarity with the Joint Information Environment (JIE), Zero Trust Architecture, and Cybersecurity Strategy documents.
• Experience using Adobe Creative Suite, and enterprise-level digital communication tools.
• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Affairs, Political Science, Cybersecurity, or related field.

Special Requirements/Security Clearance

• Active Top Secret clearance required; TS/SCI preferred.