Strategic Communications Lead

LightFeather is seeking an experienced Communications, UX, and AI-Enabled Design Team Lead to drive the delivery of strategic communications, visual storytelling, user-centered design artifacts, and AI-augmented communications products supporting 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.

• 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.

• 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 Jira or equivalent workflow management systems.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

• Ability to operate effectively in high-visibility, high-accountability environments.

• Knowledge of Section 508 accessibility standards.

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.