Communications Specialist (Entry-Level)

We’re excited to share an upcoming opportunity (pending a contract award) and are building a pipeline of qualified candidates in advance. Hiring is expected to begin once the final award is confirmed, anticipated within the next 2–3 months.

As a Communications Specialist (Account Executive) , you’ll contribute to projects across the research and execution phases, help design solutions, and make meaningful contributions to your team. You’ll manage up and across teams, support client relationships, produce drafts of work, reports, and analyses, monitor changes in the environment that may affect client success, and ensure the quality and timeliness of client deliverables.

In this role, you’ll be part of Palladian Partners , Altarum Enterprise’s full-service marketing and communications team, where you’ll work collaboratively to deliver innovative, high-impact solutions for our clients.

What You'll Do

• Participate in planning, research, writing, and strategy development
• Draft high-quality correspondence, communication materials, reports, and other types of materials for internal audiences and clients
• Communicate directly with clients and external partners to implement strategies and tactics
• Draft project plans and track project activities, timelines, and quality reviews
• Support social, paid, and traditional media outreach, including strategy, content development, and analytics
• Support content creation by communicating ideas and working with integrated project teams of designers, writers, and digital strategists to develop creative and digital assets, including videos, websites, infographics, and more
• Provide client service support with regular monitoring and reporting, managing timelines, proofreading, and client touchpoints
• Collaborate with other team members to address challenges and solve problems proactively
• Attend and contribute to meetings, including taking actionable notes in both internal and external meetings, handle scheduling and logistics
• Participate in new business process including research and proposal preparation
• Contribute to organic growth

What You'll Bring

• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent interpersonal and multidisciplinary project skills
• Ability to work collaboratively on a team and with key stakeholders and clients
• Action-oriented, organized, proactive, and adaptable approach to project coordination
• Proven ability to meet deadlines and work on multiple projects simultaneously
• Demonstrated attention to detail and commitment to customer service

Education And Experience

• Bachelor’s degree with 1-2 years of work experience
• Master’s degree or PHD a plus
• Government contracting and/or agency experience preferred

Where You'll Work

• Remote with occasional in-person collaboration days
• If you’re near one of our offices (Arlington, VA; Silver Spring, MD; or Novi, MI), you’ll join us in person one day every other month (6 times per year) for a fun, purpose-driven Collaboration Day. These days are filled with creative energy, meaningful connection, and team brainstorming!
• Non-local employees may be asked to join us on these days at an approved co-working space.

Work Eligibility & Requirements

• Candidates must be currently eligible to work in the United States; sponsorship is not available.
• All work must be performed within the continental U.S. for the duration of employment, unless required by contract.
• Ability to work core hours aligned with Eastern Time, unless otherwise approved by your manager.
• Remote employees must maintain a dedicated, ergonomically appropriate workspace free from distractions, with reliable internet and a mobile device that supports efficient work.

Federal Clearance & Badge

• Because this role supports federal clients, you’ll need to complete a federal background investigation to determine your suitability for federal employment.
• You may also be required to obtain an HHS Personal Identity Verification (PIV) Badge in addition to Palladian’s standard background process.
• Learn more about the federal suitability and PIV process here: https://ors.od.nih.gov/ser/dpsac/applicants\-employees/DPSAC\-process\-overview/adjudication\-branch/Pages/suitability\-criteria.aspx

$57,400 - $67,804 a year

At Altarum, we carefully consider a wide range of compensation factors and rely on market indicators to get it right. Individual compensation packages are based on numerous factors unique to each candidate, including skill set, experience, qualifications, and other job-related reasons. This salary range is not a guarantee of compensation, as the final offer amount will vary based on these factors. In addition to base salary compensation, Altarum Enterprise employees enjoy the following benefits:

• Competitive Medical, Dental and Optical plans
• Generous Paid Time Off, 8 Company observed holidays plus 3 floating holidays
• Tuition Assistance
• 401K Plan (3% employer contribution plus opportunity for gainsharing)
• Life, AD&D & Disability coverage
• A flexible work environment and more!

Altarum is a nonprofit organization focused on improving the health of individuals with fewer financial resources and populations disenfranchised by the health care system. We work primarily on behalf of federal and state governments to design and implement solutions that achieve measurable results. We combine our expertise in public health and health care delivery with technology development and implementation, practice transformation, training and technical assistance, quality improvement, data analytics, and applied research and evaluation. Our innovative solutions and proven processes lead to better value and health for all.

Altarum is an equal opportunity employer that provides employment and opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.