Responsibilities

• Partners with the President and executive leadership to develop and execute comprehensive, goal-oriented strategic communications programs aligned with corporate mission, values and institutional priorities.
• Provides legislative and congressional support to the Office of the General Counsel, including drafting, reviewing, and editing responses to congressional inquiries, reports and testimony requests.
• Leads proactive, transformative communications strategies, and initiatives designed to inform, inspire trust and strengthen IDA brand affinity.
• Leads a comprehensive media relations and media engagement strategy that enhances corporate reputation and mitigates risk through effective policies, protocols and communications standards.
• Identifies potential crisis communications situations, develops response strategies and maintains a strong crisis communication framework.
• Collaborates across operations and research teams to develop and effectively present technical content through various media including websites, social media, graphics and publications to create an operational environment that ensures IDA’s mission success.
• Builds, mentors, coaches and develops a best-in-class team of savvy communications professionals who employ advanced communications strategies and technologies. Establishes performance metrics to evaluate effectiveness and continuously adjust activities to ensure maximum impact.
• Serves as the senior corporate media spokesperson.

Requirements

• Minimum of 10 years of communications leadership experience including 5 – 7 years of recent federal-level governmental affairs experience at a think tank, research organization, association or state or local government.
• BS/BA required; Master’s preferred in Communications, Political Science, Journalism or other relevant field.
• Expertise in strategic communication.
• Comprehensive understanding of congressional rules, procedures and operations is a plus.
• Experience in strategic communications planning, messaging and media relations. Proven understanding of national security issues and/or governmental activities preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to take knowledge and transform it into exciting and useful messages and then deliver it to the right audiences through the best distribution channels.
• Highly collaborative style; experience developing and implementing communications strategies.
• Superior writing/editing and verbal communication skills.
• A strong track record of managing a variety of key initiatives concurrently.
• U.S. Citizenship is required.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance is required.

Preferred

• Master’s preferred in Communications, Political Science, Journalism or other relevant field.
• Comprehensive understanding of congressional rules, procedures and operations is a plus.
• Proven understanding of national security issues and/or governmental activities preferred.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and benefits, including diverse health insurance options, generous 10% contribution to retirement, 6 weeks 100% paid parental leave, 20 days paid time off, and relocation reimbursement.
• Mission-oriented work at a non-profit that supports and protects our Nation’s warfighters; as a non-profit, IDA employees are eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSFL).
• Professional development including tuition reimbursement, internal and external trainings, and funding for researcher-pitched projects and publications.
• A strong employee and corporate culture of work-life balance, including commitment to average 40-hour work weeks through flex time, partial telework options, and expectation of communication only during core business hours.
• Located in Alexandria's high-tech corridor, IDA's brand new Potomac Yard facility is equipped with state-of-the-art technology, workspaces, cafeteria and gym.
• Easy access to local dining and shopping, the Potomac Yard Metro stop and the Potomac Yard DASH bus stop. Employer contributes $340/month (IRS max) to commuter benefits.