Strategic Communications Lead

LightFeather is seeking an experienced Communications, UX, and AI-Enabled Design Team Lead to drive strategic communications, visual storytelling, and user-centered design, leveraging AI-augmented products to support senior federal stakeholders.This role requires strong leadership, executive presence, and the ability to operationalize modern, compliant AI-enabled workflows while maintaining rigorous human oversight, accessibility standards, and consulting-grade delivery quality. The ideal candidate has deep experience leading multidisciplinary teams across communications, UX, and design in high-visibility environments and can confidently advise government executives as agencies modernize and adopt AI technologies aligned with emerging federal guidance.

Location: Remote (Washington, DC Preferred)

Job Type: Full-time

Clearance Requirement: Active Secret Required

Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Team Enablement

• Lead, mentor, and upskill a multidisciplinary communications, design, and UX team to ensure delivery excellence and professional growth.
• Coach team members on the effective, safe, and compliant use of AI-enabled tools in communications and design workflows.
• Promote adoption of federal AI competency frameworks and skills-based development practices.
• Foster a culture of innovation, accountability, accessibility, and continuous improvement.
• Align team delivery practices with top-tier consulting delivery models.

Client Engagement & Executive Advisory

• Serve as a primary client-facing lead supporting senior government stakeholders.
• Facilitate strategic discussions and guide decision-making with executive leadership.
• Advise on the adoption and integration of AI technologies in alignment with federal policy and risk management best practices.
• Translate complex or ambiguous requirements into structured action plans and deliverables.
• Present executive-ready recommendations with clarity and authority.
• Lead change management initiatives that modernize communications and integrate emerging technologies.

AI-Enabled Communications & Design Excellence

• Integrate generative AI tools into communications and design workflows to improve efficiency and quality.
• Establish protocols for responsible AI use, including bias mitigation, transparency, and auditability.
• Ensure human review and quality assurance of AI-assisted content and design outputs.
• Address compliance, bias, and accuracy considerations in AI-assisted environments.
• Direct development of high-impact deliverables, including:
• Executive presentations and briefings
• Strategic roadmaps and messaging frameworks
• Operating models and communications strategies
• UX artifacts such as journey maps and service blueprints
• Design prototypes and visualization products
• Ensure deliverables meet Section 508 accessibility requirements and federal AI governance expectations.

Operational Excellence & Multi-Workstream Management

• Manage multiple high-visibility deliverables simultaneously across complex workstreams.
• Balance competing priorities and aggressive timelines typical of federal consulting engagements.
• Establish structured workflows, reporting mechanisms, and hybrid/agile processes.
• Implement best practices in design operations, content governance, accessibility, and AI-enabled service delivery.
• Mitigate risks and maintain transparency across project execution.

Required Qualifications and Skills

• Active Secret Clearance
• 7+ years of experience in strategic communications, UX, human-centered design, digital strategy, or related fields.
• 3+ years of experience leading high-performing teams in consulting, government, or mission-driven environments.
• Demonstrated experience implementing generative AI within communications or design workflows.
• Knowledge of federal AI guidance and responsible-use considerations.
• Experience mentoring teams in adopting AI-enabled tools and modern workflows.
• Experience managing complex stakeholder environments and presenting to senior executives.
• Proficiency with collaboration and design tools such as Figma, Miro, and similar platforms.
• Experience using Kanban-based workflow management systems (e.g., Jira, Microsoft Planner, etc.)
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to operate effectively in high-visibility, high-accountability environments.
• Experience driving Section 508 accessibility in digital communications and design.

What Success Looks Like in This Role

• The team consistently delivers high-quality, consulting-grade communications and design products.
• AI-enabled workflows improve delivery speed, accessibility, and product quality while maintaining human oversight.
• Stakeholders trust your leadership and strategic guidance.
• Meetings and working sessions result in clear alignment and actionable decisions.
• Operational processes evolve to support innovation, scalability, and continuous improvement.

Why Join LightFeather?

At LightFeather, you're not just taking a job—you're joining a purpose-driven team that delivers innovative, mission-critical solutions to make a real difference. You'll work on diverse, meaningful projects that challenge and inspire you, alongside some of the best minds in the industry