Job Description
Opportunity: Senior Strategy, Plans, Exercises & Policy Planner
Bottom Line Up Front: Hoplite Group is seeking Strategy, Plans, and Policy Planners
to support contracted services for the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) Public Affairs Directorate (CCPA). The Strategy, Plans, and Policy Planner team will consist of four (4) planners: one Master-level Planner and three Senior-level Planners. These planners will be assigned portfolios in the Middle East, Levant, Central Asia, and Special Missions/Other, subject to changes by the CCPA Director.
Location: The primary place of performance is at HQ CENTCOM, MacDill AFB. Other anticipated work may include TBD locations within the Continental United States (CONUS) or at locations within the CENTCOM Area of Responsibility.
Level of Effort: Full-time
Availability: Anticipate Spring-Summer 2026 start date.
Objective : Execute the following job responsibilities in support of the CENTCOM Public Affairs Directorate:
- Lead planning processes for Joint Planning Teams and OPTs, focusing on Mission Analysis, COA Development, Wargaming, COA Comparison, and Decision.
- Provide situational awareness to ensure seamless transition from planning to execution.
- Support and contribute to exercises and operational planning efforts, working with USCENTCOM Component Commands,other Combatant Commands, and interagency partners.
- Provide recommendations to joint planning teams regarding planning, execution systems, and joint doctrine.
- Assist with the coordination of USCENTCOM strategies, plans, and policies within the CENTCOM AOR.
- Produce draft products for joint planning teams and working group approval, ensuring they align with USCENTCOM leadership priorities.
- Provide support for the development and coordination of public affairs strategies and products.
- Participate in CENTCOM’s B2C2WG as required, ensuring communication equities are accurately represented.
- Maintain situational awareness of CENTCOM's current and future priorities, ensuring timely coordination and integration of public affairs products.
- Develop and coordinate Public Affairs Guidance (PPAG), talking points (TPs), and other communication strategies to support CENTCOM’s operational plans.
- Establish functional relationships with CENTCOM directorates, such as J3, J5, and others, to ensure proper integration of public affairs elements in operational plans.
- Participate in CENTCOM’s B2C2WG organizational construct to track the integration of communication equities into planning efforts.
- Coordinate with internal and external stakeholders, including interagency and international partners, to ensure synchronization of information-related capabilities.
- Advise leadership on strategic and regional concerns and recommend solutions to enhance communication efforts.
- Ensure that all public affairs products are coordinated with higher Public Affairs authorities, subordinate commands, and other government entities for a cohesive communication approach.
- Provide crisis and contingency response support as directed by CCPA leadership.
- Support emergent 24/7 surge requirements during crises or unforeseen events.
- Maintain a TS/SCI clearance and comply with all travel and operational readiness requirements.
Qualifications & Skills: - Security Requirements: Must have a minimum TS/SCI clearance prior to Contract award. Interim clearances will not be considered acceptable.
- A bachelor’s degree.
- At least 5 years of planning experience.
- Minimum of 3 years of planning experience at a Geographic or Functional Combatant Command Headquarters.
- At least 5 years of experience in an information-related area (PA, IO, KLE, CA).
- Preferably have Corporate Marketing or communications experience.
Job Tags
Full time, Contract work, Interim role, Summer work,