Senior Strategist

ABOUT M+C SAATCHI WORLD SERVICES

M&C Saatchi World Services is a full-service marketing company renowned for using commercial advertising to solve the world’s toughest challenges. World Services is a specialty branch of M&C Saatchi Group, and we provide strategic communications, behavior change, and marketing support to Public Sector clients with special emphasis on the US Federal Government and State, Local, Tribal, & Territorial leaders.

THE ROLE

M&C Saatchi World Services is seeking an experienced Senior Strategist to lead the development and execution of integrated communications strategies that drive awareness, influence perceptions, and shape behaviors across a diverse portfolio of federal and Department of Defense programs. Serving as a senior strategic leader, you will guide enterprise-level communications planning, narrative development, and stakeholder engagement efforts that support mission objectives and organizational priorities.

Working closely with account teams, creative specialists, researchers, analysts, stakeholder engagement professionals, and senior client stakeholders, you will translate complex challenges into actionable communications strategies that deliver measurable outcomes. Combining strategic communications expertise with strong leadership, analytical thinking, and stakeholder management skills, you will advise senior leaders, shape long-term communications roadmaps, guide multidisciplinary teams, and ensure communications efforts remain evidence-based, audience-centered, and aligned with mission goals.

This is a hybrid role; however, the ideal candidate will live in the greater NYC area or the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia (DMV) region, and be able to commute regularly to Washington, DC or New York office spaces.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development and implementation of integrated communications strategies that support organizational priorities, stakeholder engagement objectives, and mission outcomes.
• Serve as the senior strategic advisor on messaging, narrative development, communications planning, and audience engagement approaches.
• Develop enterprise messaging frameworks, communications playbooks, strategic guidance documents, and campaign roadmaps.
• Provide strategic counsel to leadership regarding communications risks, opportunities, stakeholder perceptions, and narrative positioning.
• Guide audience research, stakeholder analysis, behavioral insights, and communications assessments to inform strategy development.
• Lead the creation of strategic briefs, communications plans, creative briefs, messaging frameworks, and content direction for multidisciplinary teams.
• Ensure consistency and alignment of messaging across digital, print, media, stakeholder engagement, and executive communications channels.
• Collaborate with creative, content, media, analytics, stakeholder engagement, UX, and program teams to ensure communications strategies are effectively executed.
• Evaluate campaign effectiveness and communications performance through the application of measurement frameworks, audience insights, and impact assessments.
• Support executive communications, leadership engagements, policy communications, and high-profile stakeholder initiatives.
• Provide strategic oversight and mentorship to junior strategists and communications professionals while fostering a culture of collaboration and continuous learning.
• Identify opportunities for innovation, process improvement, and new approaches that strengthen communications effectiveness and audience impact.
• Contribute to business growth efforts by supporting proposal development, strategic planning activities, and client engagement opportunities.
• Represent M&C Saatchi World Services as a trusted strategic advisor in client meetings, workshops, conferences, and stakeholder engagements.

Key Attributes

• Experience developing and leading strategic communications, public affairs, stakeholder engagement, behavior change, or integrated communications initiatives.
• Demonstrated success creating communications strategies that influence audience attitudes, perceptions, and behaviors across diverse stakeholder groups.
• Strong understanding of communications planning, audience research, behavioral science principles, narrative development, and stakeholder engagement methodologies.
• Experience incorporating AI-enabled research, audience intelligence, and trend analysis tools into communications, engagement, and strategic planning efforts.
• Curiosity in technology landscape and how AI is changing communications.
• Experience advising senior leaders and stakeholders on communications strategy, messaging, risk management, and audience engagement.
• Exceptional strategic thinking, analytical reasoning, and problem-solving abilities.
• Outstanding writing, presentation, facilitation, and communication skills with the ability to distill complex issues into clear and actionable recommendations.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams and collaborating across creative, research, analytics, stakeholder engagement, media, and account functions.
• Strong understanding of communications measurement, campaign evaluation, audience segmentation, and performance analysis.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, stakeholders, and strategic initiatives simultaneously.
• Experience supporting federal government, Department of Defense, international development, public affairs, national security, or mission-driven communications programs is preferred.
• Knowledge of behavioral change communications, stakeholder engagement frameworks, audience intelligence, or strategic influence methodologies is preferred.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance, as required by the position.
• Degree or relevant experience in Communications, Public Affairs, Strategic Communications, Journalism, Political Science, International Relations, Marketing, Behavioral Science, or a related field preferred.
• Language Requirements: Fluent written and spoken English required.

Eligibility Requirements:

• U.S. Citizenship: Must be a United States Citizen (required by government contract).
• Clearance Eligibility: Must be able and willing to obtain a U.S. Government Secret or Top Secret security clearance immediately upon employment.
• Background Screening: Must be willing to submit to a rigorous federal background investigation, which includes an in-depth review of personal finances, criminal history, employment history, and drug use.

The salary range provided reflects the anticipated compensation for this role across our Washington, DC and New York locations. Actual starting salary will be determined based on geographic location, relevant experience, skills, and other job-related factors.

WHY YOU'LL LOVE IT HERE

• Work on impactful programs supporting federal and defense-related initiatives.
• Collaborate with high-performing cross-functional teams across communications, digital and analytics disciplines.
• Opportunity to shape strategic public engagement initiatives at enterprise scale.
• Flexible hybrid working environment.
• Exposure to complex, mission-driven stakeholder engagement challenges.
• Career development opportunities within a fast-growing global organization.

WHAT YOU GET

• We offer a competitive salary and a benefits package designed to support your health, family life, financial wellbeing, and growth.

Family & parental support
• 12 weeks’ full pay for Primary Carers and 6 weeks for Secondary Carers (after one year of service; return requirements apply for subsequent leave)
• Applies to birth, adoption, and surrogacy
• Up to 10 days’ paid fertility leave per year (5 per cycle)
• 2 days’ paid leave for new grandparents
• $2,500 annual interest-free parental loan
• $6,000 interest-free fertility treatment loan

Healthcare & wellbeing
• Choice of three medical plans (HSA at $0 cost; EPO 75% employer funded; PPO 65% employer funded) • 70% employer-funded dental and vision coverage
• Generous paid time off, sick leave, and company holidays, including an office closure between Christmas & New Year's
• Gym membership reimbursement and/or Wellhub subscription
• 401(k) with 4% employer match
• 24/7 mental health support through Self Space
• Social events, happy hours, professional development trainings, etc.
• Work from anywhere for up to 2 weeks per year (subject to approval)

Culture & development
• $300 annual cultural stimulation allowance (accrued monthly; available after 90 days)
• Weekly Thursday happy hour
• Mentorship and Buddy programs