Marketing Strategist, Government

Overview:

Specializes in pursuit strategy and project promotion for our Federal practice, working directly with the Practice Marketing Director (PMD), practice leaders, and BD to lead the strategic approach for Tier 1 opportunities. Analyzes the client, competitive landscape, and HKS's position to develop the sharpest possible narrative, pulling together the right teams to execute. Ensures intelligence from BD relationships and client engagement flows into pursuit strategy, and that the outcomes and proof points from completed work feed back into how HKS positions itself for the next opportunity.

Responsibilities:

Analyzes each priority pursuit from the client's perspective: their stated and unstated priorities, procurement context, decision-making dynamics and how HKS is positioned relative to likely competitors

Develops a clear pursuit strategy and document for each Tier 1 opportunity, defining win themes, messaging pillars, differentiators and the overall narrative approach

Ensures pursuit strategy is grounded in client intelligence gathered through the BD relationship and that it reflects the practice's core value propositions and brand identity

Partners with Business Development Directors (BDD) and seller/doers to pressure-test and align on strategy before creative and writing work begins with Pursuit team

Provides ongoing strategic direction throughout the pursuit lifecycle, including guidance on interview storylines, executive messaging and finalist presentation framing

Creates clear strategic briefs that guide the Pursuit Marketing COE's proposal and interview development, ensuring deliverables reflect the agreed strategy and client focus

Maintains close alignment with the PMD and BDD to stay connected to evolving client relationships, pipeline developments, and BD activity

Leverages Salesforce to capture relevant client details so it is accessible and actionable for pursuit team

Identifies the through-line between clients’ early communication and what HKS will say in the pursuit

Carries proof points, outcomes, and themes from completed projects forward into pursuit strategy and practice positioning

Supports PMD with monitoring market signals, published shortlists and procurement activity in the practice's key sectors to help the PMD anticipate future needs

Collaborates with the PMD to identify which completed projects should be prioritized for external promotion, based on practice positioning, thought leadership value, and firmwide brand goals

Develops and maintains a rolling annual promotion plan by practice and geography, with timelines aligned to project milestones, client readiness and publication opportunities

Leads the narrative and story development for each featured project, working with the Communications COE to define the angle, emphasis and channel strategy

Partners with the Brand COE to define the visual approach and ensure creative execution aligns with the HKS visual identity and the story being told

Serves as the primary coordinator between HKS and the client for all promotion-related activities, including content approvals, photography coordination and media participation

Supports the COE’s development of award submissions, press releases, editorial pitches and social content

Tracks performance of project promotions across media, digital and awards channels, provides regular reporting to the PMD and use those insights to continuously refine the approach

Facilitates alignment conversations that bring BD intelligence, design perspective and marketing strategy into a single, unified pursuit direction before execution begins

In partnership with pursuit team and BDD, conducts post-pursuit debriefs to evaluate strategy effectiveness, capture lessons learned and identify what worked and what to do differently

Feeds pursuit learnings back into the practice's positioning, story library and BD tools so that each pursuit makes the next one stronger

Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Journalism, or related degree

Typically 8+ years of experience in AEC marketing, pursuit strategy, business development support, or related experience

Proficiency in InDesign

Experience with Photoshop, Illustrator, Sketchup and InDesign software preferred

Proficiency in MS Office Suite preferred

Previous experience with government procurements, e.g., SAM.gov

Previous experience with subscription services, e.g., GovWin.co

Previous experience with completion of government forms, e.g., SF330

Previous experience with design-bid-build and design-build procurements

Previous experience with Phase 1/Phase 2, RFQ/RFP best-value procurements

Excellent written verbal, presentation, and storytelling skills, including the ability to craft compelling narratives and work with geographically designed page layouts

Proven ability to build strong, trusting relationships with diverse stakeholders, using a diplomatic, collaborative leadership style grounded in emotional intelligence

Strong facilitator skills with the ability to lead alignment sessions and strategy workshops

Strong understanding of client motivations in architecture, design, and professional services procurement

Strong familiarity with content libraries, case studies, positioning frameworks, and value propositions

Strong organizational skills and the ability to balance multiple high-stakes pursuits, ensuring high-quality work is delivered on time and aligned to strategy

Ability to manage team with diplomatic and collaborative leadership style which puts value on relationships and collaboration, both internal and external

Ability to proactively problem solve and apply innovative solutions

Ability to collaborate and encourage collaboration in a team environment, and ability to work independently and prioritize work

Ability to effectively meet deadlines at expected quality

Travel may be required

Base Salary Range: $95-125k – Richmond & Washington DC location.

The estimate displayed represents the general base salary range of candidates hired in Richmond & Washington DC only. We may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range based on the location of the role. Factors that may be used to determine your actual salary may include internal equity, experience, education, specialty and training.

HKS offers a comprehensive total compensation & benefits package with health, dental, and vision care coverage, 401(k) plans, life & AD&D insurance, short/long term disability plans, paid days off (sick leave, parental leave, vacation), and much more for benefits-eligible employees. To learn more about our benefits visit this page .

If you currently work for HKS, please submit your application via the Internal Careers Portal .

HKS is an EEO/AA Employer: M/F/Disabled/Veteran