We’re a woman-owned small business that delivers big results in strategic communications. For 25 years, Akoya has thrived in the government consulting landscape helping agencies launch new programs, leverage internal and external support, and drive their missions forward. Our strategic approach to communications increases the quality of services and makes Akoya a comfortable home for motivated communications professionals who value and rely on the idea-sharing and collaboration inherent in our corporate culture.
The Stakeholder Engagement Specialist will support our clients at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) in building and maintaining relationships with the audiences critical to program success — including industry partners, National Laboratories, state and local governments, academic institutions, trade associations, and community organizations. This role plans and executes engagement activities such as roundtables, workshops, listening sessions, webinars, and conference participation, and develops the supporting materials that make those touchpoints effective (invitations, agendas, briefing documents, talking points, and follow-up summaries). The specialist maintains stakeholder databases and engagement trackers, monitors input received across channels, and synthesizes feedback into actionable insights for client leadership. Working closely with communications and technical teams, the specialist ensures messaging is consistent, audience-appropriate, and aligned with office priorities and DOE-wide strategic objectives.
What You'll Do- Research, draft, and prepare briefing documents, outlines, talking points, and presentations supporting client outreach events and speaking engagements for program managers and technical experts.
- Plan and execute stakeholder engagement events and activities with government agencies, commercial partners, nonprofits, and academia — including identifying and inviting participants, developing materials, providing on-site support, and managing follow-up.
- Contribute to stakeholder engagement strategic planning, helping identify priority audiences, engagement goals, outreach tactics, and measurable outcomes.
- Track, analyze, and report on the effectiveness of outreach programs and events, translating results into recommendations that shape future engagement.
- Maintain event tracking, stakeholder lists, and engagement records in CRM tools, ensuring data stays current and usable.
- Produce recurring research deliverables, including monthly and quarterly updates, reports, and presentations, along with ad-hoc research as client needs arise.
- Monitor social media, media coverage, and stakeholder feedback channels to surface trends, sentiment, and emerging issues.
- Help clients build and sustain strong working relationships with internal and external stakeholders, identifying opportunities to expand reach and deepen engagement.
- Coordinate with the broader communications team on strategic initiatives, message alignment, and amplification.
- Stay current on client announcements, programs, and priorities to ensure engagement activities reflect the latest mission direction.
- Must have a bachelor’s degree in communications, public affairs, political science, public policy, marketing, or a relevant field.
- Minimum of 7 years of progressional experience in stakeholder engagement, public affairs, external affairs, or strategic communications. (A master’s degree and 5 years of professional experience can substitute for bachelor’s degree and 7 years.)
- Demonstrated experience planning and executing stakeholder-facing events — workshops, roundtables, webinars, conference presence — from concept through follow-up.
- Experience developing written materials for senior leaders, including talking points, briefing memos, agendas, and presentations.
- Proficiency with CRM or engagement-tracking platforms (Salesforce, HubSpot, GovDelivery, or comparable) and with Microsoft Office, particularly PowerPoint and Excel.
- Strong writing and editing skills, with the ability to translate technical content into clear, audience-appropriate language.
- Ability to manage multiple concurrent deliverables under deadline in a client-facing environment.
- U.S. citizenship is required with verbal and written fluency in English
- Must be able to receive and maintain a federal security clearance (public trust level)
- At least two years supporting federal government clients or working within a government agency.
- Experience supporting the Department of Energy, a National Laboratory, or another federal science or energy agency.
- Familiarity with the energy sector — energy technologies, grid modernization, energy security, or related policy areas.
- Experience with engagement analytics and reporting, including social listening tools and survey/feedback instruments.
- Experience coordinating across teams and external partners on a single publication or initiative.
- Base compensation: $120,000 to $140,000 annually. Actual compensation is subject to variation due to factors such as location, education, years of experience, and candidate skillset.
- This is an onsite role based in Washington, DC. The selected candidate will work primarily at the client site in downtown DC and must be able to reliably commute to the National Capital Region.
Employee Benefits
Akoya provides generous benefits for its full-time employees including:
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- 401(k) and profit sharing
- Eleven federal holidays and paid time off
- And more!
Akoya is committed to an equitable, diverse, inclusive, and accessible environment that has a positive effect on the hiring, retention, and ongoing support of all employees. Akoya is an Equal Opportunity Employer and, in compliance with applicable laws, ordinances, rules, and regulations, affords equal opportunities for all qualified persons without regard to race, color, religion, age, creed, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in communications, public affairs, political science, public policy, marketing, or a relevant field
- At least 7 years of professional experience in stakeholder engagement, public affairs, external affairs, or strategic communications
- Master's degree with at least 5 years of professional experience may substitute for the bachelor's degree and 7-year requirement
- Experience planning and executing stakeholder-facing events, including workshops, roundtables, webinars, and conference participation
- Experience developing talking points, briefing memos, agendas, presentations, and other written materials for senior leaders
- Proficiency with CRM or engagement-tracking platforms such as Salesforce, HubSpot, or GovDelivery
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly PowerPoint and Excel
- Strong writing and editing skills, including the ability to translate technical content into clear, audience-appropriate language
- Ability to manage multiple concurrent deliverables under deadline in a client-facing environment
- U.S. citizenship
- Verbal and written fluency in English
- Ability to receive and maintain a federal security clearance at the public trust level
- At least 2 years supporting federal government clients or working within a government agency
- Experience supporting the Department of Energy, a National Laboratory, or another federal science or energy agency
- Familiarity with energy technologies, grid modernization, energy security, or related policy areas
- Experience with engagement analytics and reporting, social listening tools, and survey or feedback instruments
- Experience coordinating across teams and external partners on a single publication or initiative
What We Do
Akoya is a woman-owned strategic communications firm serving federal, corporate, and nonprofit clients. It helps organizations persuade, engage, and partner with critical audiences through audience analysis, communications planning, outreach, stakeholder engagement, and program support. The firm also builds and leads embedded communications teams for ongoing government programs, translating complex missions into clear messaging and supporting clients’ relationships with the people and organizations central to their work.
