Director of Communications

Director of Communications

The United States Geospatial Intelligence Foundation (USGIF) is in search of a creative, analytical, and self-motivated Director of Communications to help drive the mission of the Foundation. This supervisory position manages the day-to-day writing, editing, and production of USGIF’s content and media, to include the Foundation’s website, published content, monthly e-newsletter, and social media engagement. The director ensures all media reflects Foundation branding and issues of relevance to the intelligence and greater geospatial communities. The director reports to the USGIF VP of Programs and supervises the work of other USGIF staff and external partners involved in communications and marketing.

Responsibilities:

(Strategies) Provide communications strategies and direction of the Foundation’s programs, events, and activities and establish a climate of teamwork, collaboration, and constant improvement in service of the Foundation’s mission:

• Oversee all USGIF communications strategies, content, and schedules for the Foundation’s external messaging and publications. 
• Employ external communication and public relations skills to extend the visibility, value, and reputation of the organization. 
• Develop and expand communications that appeal to members and prospective members across multiple sectors- ex. defense, intelligence, public safety, civil agencies, and disaster relief. 
• Plan and execute communications strategies that highlight the thought leadership and philanthropic contributions of the Foundation with key government, academic, and private sector stakeholders and the public.
• Manage the USGIF and associated brands in order to maintain a consistent and purposeful image.
• Periodically analyze and review data and trends about engagement with USGIF content to recommend new approaches.

(Execution) Create, implement and manage communications plans that coordinate and align each of the various initiatives across the Foundation and its strategic communications plan

• Propose and manage sound communications budgets and associated projects from inception to completion.
• Develop and design special communications materials and promotions, such as online news and articles, newsletters, brochures, educational promotions, press releases, and other projects as assigned.
• Identify, select and manage external suppliers, negotiate terms, and monitor their effectiveness.
• Create content relevant to the community, and review/edit/publish content prepared by others ensuring its relevance and accuracy.
• Lead coordination with USGIF events, membership, and programs staff to ensure content is synchronized, compelling, and reflects USGIF key messages and branding.
• Leverage USGIF communications channels to communicate important dates, events, and happenings in the community as a means of delivering valuable insights to the community.
• Manage USGIF’s content calendar, production schedule, and any related media kits.
• Write editorial content, such as in-depth features, blog posts, and web exclusives.
• Devise content abstracts, manage freelance writers, and provide both big picture and thorough line edits of all manuscripts.
• Coordinate content manuscript and proof review among USGIF stakeholders. 
• Oversee contributed and sponsored content efforts. 
• Plan content articles to include compelling multimedia elements such as videos, slideshows, podcasts, web exclusives, etc.

(Messaging) Plan, deliver and promote USGIF programs in a way that conveys value to Foundation partners and members, advancing the tradecraft and creating opportunities to accelerate GEOINT innovation across the community.  Programs include the GEOINT Symposium, Workshops/Forums, the GEOGala/Lifetime Achievement Award Ceremony, and other events.  

• Communicate dates, FAQs, and key deadline changes to internal USGIF stakeholders and external stakeholders (e.g., public relations/public affairs staffs, and media/press organizations).
• Ensure cross-staff efforts for marketing, sales, registration, and sponsor fulfillment are clearly understood and well synchronized.
• Develop key messages that underpin and are reflected in all USGIF communications media (including emails, the USGIF website, external media/press and advertising). 
• Develop strategies and means to ensure USGIF communications are clear, timely, and informative for intended audiences. 
• Lead the production of USGIF visual media for USGIF programs and events, ensuring adherence to USGIF brand guidelines and are clearly relatable to the programs/events. 

(Forms) Plan, manage, and promote USGIF content publication to inform, educate, and provide relevant, actionable content in a format that is compelling and engaging to all geospatial intelligence stakeholders. 

• Leverage USGIF’s communications channels to share USGIF news and initiatives, position the Foundation as a thought leader, and educate the community.
• Manage and lead the day-to-day writing, editing, and production of USGIF’s published content, to include the website, e-newsletters, member communications, brochures, social media, the annual report, event recaps, presentations, etc..
• Assist in ensuring all media reflects Foundation branding and issues of relevance to the intelligence and greater geospatial communities.
• Oversee onsite content publication associated with the GEOINT Symposium.
• Lead Foundation media relations to include writing and distribution of press releases.
• Manage the planning, production, and budget for GEOINT Symposium-related content.  
• Oversee onsite video programming for and at USGIF major events, such as the GEOINT Symposium and GEOGala/Lundahl-Finnie Lifetime Achievement Award presentation.
• Lead planning, editing, and production of USGIF’s annual report in addition to other one-time publications as directed.

(Website) Oversee, update, and maintain USGIF website 

• Ensure USGIF website content is accurate, up-to-date, grammatically correct, aesthetically pleasing, adheres to USGIF brand guidelines, and delivers an excellent user experience.
• Maintain and prioritize USGIF website development.
• Develop and prioritize work plans for contract web developers, balancing work to be performed in-house with outsourced effort, managing cost, schedule, and quality of work performed.
• Periodically review trends in content and data about engagement with that content to recommend new approaches.

(Team) Serve as a key member of the USGIF team, contributing to the Foundation’s events and activities, exhibiting teamwork, collaboration, and constant improvement in service of the Foundation’s mission:

• As directed, execute the Foundation’s prioritized strategy to encompass the technology and program influences on changing mission and markets. 
• Alongside the other members of the USGIF team, ensure the long-term sustainability of the Foundation, modelling a culture of collaboration and staff effectiveness. 
• Recommend and execute decisions related to the communications budget, such as contractual agreements, content sponsorships, future outlook, etc.
• Serve as USGIF’s liaison to its custom publishing firm and collaborate with art director, photographers, web developers, and printer to produce the most visually appealing and user-friendly products possible.
• On occasion, serve as a spokesperson for the Foundation, employing external communication and public relations skills to extend the visibility, value, and reputation of the organization. 
• Identify and suggest ways to improve event offerings to engage broad and expanding audiences. 
• Build and leverage relationships with government public affairs elements and USGIF member organizations to identify ways to make USGIF information broadly available and accessible to relevant employees, to facilitate interviews with subject matter experts, and to generate content ideas.
• Attend USGIF events to engage the community via social media, take photos, and produce post-event recaps for the USGIF website.
• Maintain strong relationships with USGIF’s readers, sources, and guest writers. 

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; degrees in communication, public relations, or related field are preferred
• Minimum 7 years communications/PR, publication and/or digital content production experience; 
• Familiarity with the U.S. defense, intelligence, and homeland security communities, and the technologies and trends within the broader geospatial intelligence industry is a plus
• Self-motivated, highly organized, and demonstrated attention to detail; 
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills;
• Ability to work independently and as part of a highly functional team; 
• Ability to multi-task and manage priorities.
• Non-profit or trade association experience or interest a plus.
• U.S. Citizens only

Working Conditions:

• Occasional lifting of materials (~25 lbs.)
• Position is a hybrid work role, with both in-person (i.e., at USGIF office in Herndon, VA or other metro-D.C. area locations) and remote work. 
• USGIF full-time employees are expected to work 40 hours per week, with core hours being 9:30 am to 3:30 pm ET to allow for flexible work hours. 
• Periodic attendance at local evening events
• Must be able to travel nationally occasionally, including one week a year for the GEOINT Symposium.

USGIF is the leader in bridging industry, government and academia to advance the geospatial intelligence tradecraft and is the only accrediting body in the geospatial intelligence field. We offer yearly scholarships of more than $125,000, work closely with numerous colleges and universities, and organize professional training sessions and community gatherings. USGIF collaborates with major players in this space by organizing community events such as the annual GEOINT Symposium and leads the industry in thought leadership via its published content and annual report.

How to apply:

Please send cover letter, resume, salary requirements and/or history by May 17th to hr@usgif.org, Subject: Director of Communications. No phone calls please. No Recruiters.