Summary:

Yorktown Systems Group is seeking a qualified Communications Specialist to support the Foreign Service Institute. The Foreign Service Institute requires an staff with professional experience in communications, external relations, content creation, content marketing and digital diplomacy. Incumbent will act as a communications advisor to others across the institute, as well as implement the institute-wide outreach and communication strategy, as directed by FSI's Public Affairs Director. The outreach and communications team seeks to improve our engagement with FSI's customers and stakeholders and create partnerships that will ultimately improve the foreign affairs training FSI delivers.

Internally, the specialist will contribute to and implement strategies to improve communication with and amongst staff, students, and Department stakeholders to promote awareness of FSI institutional developments.

Externally, the specialist will create content about important developments at FSI and attract support and partnerships that will improve our training. The incumbent should be able to develop engaging content to attract and retain engagement with external partners in the private sector, academia, think tanks and interagency landscape, as well as to improve FSI's digital presence.

Specific duties may include, but are not limited to:

• Coach school outreach liaisons on effective and coherent approaches to strategic communications that align with Office of Public Affairs objectives and the Department of State's mission.
• Create communication products, materials and digital content that tells FSI's story and advances reach (including but not limited to targeted newsletters, email messages, event announcements, images, short videos, website content and social media posts).
• Foster collaborative relationships with FSI's Outreach Liaisons, Division Directors, Course Coordinators, and other staff in order to produce copy for distribution on internal and outwardly facing communication platforms including but not limited to FSI's intranet and internet presence.
• Devise a content marketing strategy to link content production to target audiences
• Champion adoption of FSI's rebranding and style guidelines with colleagues throughout the institute.
• Organize initiatives and events in conjunction with other members of the Office of Public Affairs team.
• Work with FSI and the Department of State Bureau of Public Affairs teams responsible for owned digital platforms to enhance user experience and facilitate data and behavioral driven content and design improvements.
• Assess, evaluate, and iterate changes to FSI processes, work flows and systems to address evolving communication, outreach needs.
• Participate in outreach program reviews, evaluation and strategic planning to ensure quality, relevance, and effectiveness of approaches. Benchmark with communication industry leaders where appropriate.
• Facilitate tasking and response to FSI directed press and public affairs inquiries.
• Support other outreach and communication projects, initiatives and VIP visits as requested by the Public Affairs Director.

Required Qualifications:

• Demonstrated experience working in public affairs, communications, or marketing on behalf of a large organization (preferably in government).
• Excellent writing and copyediting skills with design skills a plus.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to motivate and persuade others.
• Experience coordinating and motivating cross-functional colleagues and harnessing the resources of multiple stakeholders to achieve public affairs objectives.
• Demonstrated experience with project management and communication campaigns.
• High degree of digital literacy, including demonstrated experience producing content for web and social media platforms.
• Knowledge of design, user experience and design thinking and experience applying these frameworks within a communications and outreach setting.
• Hands on experience optimizing digital content considering SEO and utilizing Google Analytics and other data analysis tools.
• Ability to utilize technology, software, apps and electronics to capture, produce, edit and deploy digital and visual communication products.

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience standing up a company's digital presence
• Proven website strategy experience
• Demonstrated knowledge of content marketing
• Photo, video and image editing skills
• Experience using Salesforce for Contact Relationship Management
• Proven track record navigating large organizations or bureaucracies to achieve communications-oriented results
• Degree in marketing, journalism, communications, or relevant field

Clearance: Must Pass a Background Check

Location: Arlington, VA

Travel: Some Travel May be Required