Master Strategy, Plans, Exercises, and Policy Planner (CENTCOM Public Affairs Directorate) at Hoplite Group – Tampa, Florida

Opportunity: Master Strategy, Plans, Exercises & Policy Planner

Bottom Line Up Front: Hoplite Group is seeking a Master Strategy, Plans, and Policy Planner 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 and manage planning activities within Joint Planning Teams (JPT) and Operational Planning Teams (OPT) for diverse multinational efforts.
• Coordinate planning and produce task order activities related to operational requirements.
• Provide analyses, recommendations, and draft products for joint planning teams, working groups, and senior leadership,including USCENTCOM staff, DoD,
• IA, Allies, Coalition members, and partner nation leaders.
• Assist with evaluations and provide recommendations to Divisions and Branches for conducting joint combatant command-level planning.
• Offer subject matter expertise in all phases of the Joint Operational Planning Process, including Mission Analysis, Course of Action (COA) Development, Wargaming, COA Comparison, and Decision.
• Develop plans and orders based on the analysis of COA decisions, mission statements, commander’s intent, and guidance.
• Facilitate the handover of plans for execution to ensure a smooth transition from planning to operational execution.
• Provide situational awareness to CENTCOM leadership and staff during the transition from planning to execution.
• Conduct coordination with various stakeholders, including Components, IA, Allies, and Coalition members.
• Manage and contribute to working groups, reports, and assessments, with an understanding of long-term impacts.
• 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 TS or TS//SCI clearances will not be considered acceptable.
• Comprehensive experience in joint strategic planning
• Graduation from one of the following programs:
  • Joint Advanced Warfighting School (JAWS)
  • School of Advanced Military Studies (SAMS)
  • School of Advanced Air and Space Studies (SAASS)
  • School of Advanced Warfighting (SAW)
  • Maritime Advanced Warfighting School (MAWS)
  • Senior Service College equivalent
• A master's degree.
• Minimum of 10 years of planning experience.
• At least 5 years of planning experience at a Geographic or Functional Combatant Command Headquarters.
• A minimum of 5 years of planning experience in at least one information-related area (Public Affairs (PA), InformationOperations (IO), Key Leader Engagements (KLE), or Civil Affairs (CA)).
• Preferably completed Joint Professional Military Education (JPME) I.
• Preferably have Corporate Marketing experience.