Air & Space Forces Association
Communications Manager
Air & Space Forces Association, Arlington, Virginia, United States, 22201
Founded in 1946, AFA is the single largest entity of its kind focused on air and space power. With more than 118,000 members and 200 chapters spread around the world, we have an important story to tell. Our mission is to promote dominant U.S. Air and Space Forces as the foundation of a strong National Defense; to honor and support Airmen, Guardians, and their Families; and to remember and respect the enduring heritage of the Air and Space Forces. The Communications Manager will develop and build relationships with AFA stakeholders and the Department of the Air Force to amplify their collective voice. The Communications Manager will produce speeches, scripts, programs, posts, emails, reports, videos, and more, each tailored to the target audience and distribution channel (Web, social media, print, etc.).
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:Writing and Editing (60%)Draft scripts for the Air, Space & Cyber Conference, AFA Warfare Symposium, and other events as needed. AFA's marquee events are growing steadily, with as many as 20,000 registered attendees each, and as many as 170 speakers, including the most senior leaders in the Air Force, Space Force, and defense industry.Write speeches, op-eds, video scripts, press releases, etc., as assigned.Work with staff and volunteers to identify and report stories of interest to various audience sectors; distribute content appropriate to that audience, choosing platform and messaging carefully in collaboration with others.Work with AFA's sales team to write and edit sponsored content, other marketing materials, and development campaigns.Copy edit AFA external communications products, including the annual report, program guides, brochures, and emails, etc.General Communications (35%)
Post content to AFA website and conference platforms.Track website analytics to determine reader engagement and trends.Help curate and build newsletters and e-blasts for distribution to AFA members around the world, field and chapter leaders, and other stakeholders.Work closely with graphic designer to help create graphics for AFA campaigns and initiatives.Assist with planning and executing meetings and events in support of all three pillars of AFA's mission: Advocate, Educate, Support.Develop a solid working knowledge of Air Force, Space Force, and national security issues.
Other duties (5%):
Other duties as assigned.
REQUIRED JOB QUALIFICATIONSEducation and Experience Required:
Bachelor's degree in a relevant field or equivalent work experience.At least three (3) years' experience in the communications field.Experience writing and editing articles for publication, scripts for video and events, and the ability to tell compelling stories a must.Experience with or in the military highly desired.Familiarity with Air Force and Space Force terms, language, culture, preferred.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required:
Excellent verbal and interpersonal skills and a high degree of comfort interacting with industry leaders and senior military officials.High degree of comfort working under pressure and with multiple concurrent priorities.Must be a creative, flexible thinker and self-starter who can tackle both complex and technical and human/emotional story telling.Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.Excellent copy-editing skills - grammar, spelling, and knowledge of AP style.Proficient with Microsoft Office, Web content management systems, mail management systems, and other enterprise software, plus ability to quickly learn other software systems.Ability and commitment to act with integrity, professionalism, ethically and confidentiality.WORKING CONDITIONS:
Hybrid work with some time spent both at the Air & Space Forces Association's Center of Operations in Arlington, Va., and some remote.Office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday to Friday, subject to modification based on the needs of each program or site.Operates in a professional office environment with travel to local offices, community partners, and events.Routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, copiers.Must be able to travel as needed (up to 5%).
Physical Demands:The position requires sedentary work (sitting most of the time with no adverse environmental exposure) and occasional exertion of up to 25 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. The position also includes the following physical requirements:
Movement. The employee in this position needs to occasionally move about inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc.The employee in this position needs to be able to operate a computer and other office productivity machinery such as a copy machine and printer.The employee is required to communicate and hold verbal conversations with others by means of the spoken word. Employee must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations.
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:Writing and Editing (60%)Draft scripts for the Air, Space & Cyber Conference, AFA Warfare Symposium, and other events as needed. AFA's marquee events are growing steadily, with as many as 20,000 registered attendees each, and as many as 170 speakers, including the most senior leaders in the Air Force, Space Force, and defense industry.Write speeches, op-eds, video scripts, press releases, etc., as assigned.Work with staff and volunteers to identify and report stories of interest to various audience sectors; distribute content appropriate to that audience, choosing platform and messaging carefully in collaboration with others.Work with AFA's sales team to write and edit sponsored content, other marketing materials, and development campaigns.Copy edit AFA external communications products, including the annual report, program guides, brochures, and emails, etc.General Communications (35%)
Post content to AFA website and conference platforms.Track website analytics to determine reader engagement and trends.Help curate and build newsletters and e-blasts for distribution to AFA members around the world, field and chapter leaders, and other stakeholders.Work closely with graphic designer to help create graphics for AFA campaigns and initiatives.Assist with planning and executing meetings and events in support of all three pillars of AFA's mission: Advocate, Educate, Support.Develop a solid working knowledge of Air Force, Space Force, and national security issues.
Other duties (5%):
Other duties as assigned.
REQUIRED JOB QUALIFICATIONSEducation and Experience Required:
Bachelor's degree in a relevant field or equivalent work experience.At least three (3) years' experience in the communications field.Experience writing and editing articles for publication, scripts for video and events, and the ability to tell compelling stories a must.Experience with or in the military highly desired.Familiarity with Air Force and Space Force terms, language, culture, preferred.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required:
Excellent verbal and interpersonal skills and a high degree of comfort interacting with industry leaders and senior military officials.High degree of comfort working under pressure and with multiple concurrent priorities.Must be a creative, flexible thinker and self-starter who can tackle both complex and technical and human/emotional story telling.Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.Excellent copy-editing skills - grammar, spelling, and knowledge of AP style.Proficient with Microsoft Office, Web content management systems, mail management systems, and other enterprise software, plus ability to quickly learn other software systems.Ability and commitment to act with integrity, professionalism, ethically and confidentiality.WORKING CONDITIONS:
Hybrid work with some time spent both at the Air & Space Forces Association's Center of Operations in Arlington, Va., and some remote.Office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday to Friday, subject to modification based on the needs of each program or site.Operates in a professional office environment with travel to local offices, community partners, and events.Routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, copiers.Must be able to travel as needed (up to 5%).
Physical Demands:The position requires sedentary work (sitting most of the time with no adverse environmental exposure) and occasional exertion of up to 25 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. The position also includes the following physical requirements:
Movement. The employee in this position needs to occasionally move about inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc.The employee in this position needs to be able to operate a computer and other office productivity machinery such as a copy machine and printer.The employee is required to communicate and hold verbal conversations with others by means of the spoken word. Employee must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations.
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.