Public Affairs Planner (IO Planner)

Description

Leidos National Security Sector (NSS) is seeking a highly experienced and skilled mission-driven Public Affairs Planner to support APOLLO/OPIAS in Tampa, FL. The public affairs planner will conduct fact based and American Audience focused influence operations, and narrative integration planning.as part of Operations in the Information Environment (OIE). This role directly supports joint force and interagency planning teams by integrating public affairs equities into OIE campaign design, ensuring synchronization with MISO, MILDEC, OPSEC, Cyber, CA and information activities This position is on a future contract pending award announcement.

Possible locations for this position are as follows:

• AFRICOM
• CENTCOM
• SOUTHCOM
• EUCOM
• INDOPACOM
• NORTHCOM

Possible locations for this position are as follows:

• MacDill (Tampa, FL)
• Al Udeid (Qatar)
• Fort Meade (Maryland)
• Northcom (Colorado Springs, CO)
• Camp Humphreys (Korea)
• Arifjan (Kuwait)
• Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam (Hawaii)
• Fort Eisenhower (Georgia)
• Offutt AFB (Omaha, NE)
• Naval Operating Base Norfolk (Virginia)
• Southcom (Doral, FL)
• JB San Antonio (Texas)
• Stuttgart (Germany)
• Vicenza (Italy)
• Tyndall AFB (Florida)

Key Responsibilities:

• Integrate Public Affairs (PA) equities into joint OIE campaign plans, narrative development, and influence operations planning.
• Develop public messaging themes, synchronize narratives, and draft PA input for operational-level OIE plans.
• Coordinate PA planning with MISO, MILDEC, OPSEC, CA and Cyber planners to ensure deconfliction and message alignment.
• Advise OIE planners on likely adversary and partner reactions to public messaging in support of influence operations.
• Conduct media environment assessments to inform messaging strategies across global and regional platforms.
• Track foreign media narratives, adversary propaganda, and foreign malign influence operations.
• Support the Information Joint Function by providing PA assessments of the Information Environment's Human Aspects and Informational Aspects.
• Develop PA estimates, talking points, media analysis products, and messaging recommendations for operational planning.
• Collaborate with interagency public affairs elements, multinational partners, and Combatant Command PA teams.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Strategic Communication, Public Affairs, National Security, or Information Environment Operations or equivalent operational experience
• 8+ years of experience in public affairs, strategic communication, or information environment planning
• Direct experience supporting OIE campaign planning or integration of public affairs into multi-domain operations
• Demonstrated understanding of Information Joint Function, Operations in the Information Environment (OIE), and informational capabilities synchronization
• Experience conducting media assessments, foreign influence tracking, and public narrative analysis
• Proficiency with open-source media monitoring tools (e.g., Babel Street, Meltwater, Talkwalker, CrowdTangle, Echosec)
• Familiarity with MISO, MILDEC, OPSEC, and Cyber operations to ensure public affairs integration and deconfliction
• Strong analytic writing, briefing, and public messaging development skills
• Active TS/SCI security clearance.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in Strategic Communication, Public Affairs, National Security, or Information Environment Operations
• Defense Information School (DINFOS) training or Joint PAO planning certification
• Foreign language skills aligned to AORs (Arabic, Mandarin, Russian, Farsi)
• Experience supporting USSOCOM, CENTCOM, INDOPACOM, or J39 organizations
• Experience supporting joint force OIE planning cells or Combatant Command PA staffs

• Familiarity with foreign malign influence, disinformation tactics, and narrative countermeasures

EIO2024

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Original Posting:
July 25, 2025
For U.S. Positions: While subject to change based on business needs, Leidos reasonably anticipates that this job requisition will remain open for at least 3 days with an anticipated close date of no earlier than 3 days after the original posting date as listed above.

Pay Range:
Pay Range $89,700.00 - $162,150.00

The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.