Director, Communication Directorate

U.S. Marine Corps•Arlington, VA

About The Position

The Director serves in the Communication Directorate, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps, as the key civilian Communication Strategy and Operations (COMMSTRAT) officer. The role provides strategic public affairs advice, counsel, and support to the Commandant of the Marine Corps and other senior military leaders of HQMC and the Department of War. The Director leads Service-level planning, coordination, execution, and enterprise oversight of Marine Corps communication strategy and visual information activities. The position formulates and communicates Marine Corps positions on complex issues to Headquarters Marine Corps, the Department of War, combatant commands, and interagency stakeholders, and advises senior leaders on communication strategy, the information environment, and campaigns supporting Commandant of the Marine Corps goals and audience engagement. The role assesses political and information environments and integrates communication strategies into Marine Corps programs, plans, policies, and operations. It provides Service-wide policy guidance and support for communication research, planning, execution, and evaluation for Marines and civilian employees, and advances communication strategy capabilities by applying contemporary practices from academic, independent, public-sector, and private-sector sources. The Director guides policy, planning, programming, budgeting, and resource management, including personnel, contracts, performance measures, and an approximate $5 billion annual budget. This is a Senior Executive Service position. The role may require travel to locations within and outside the continental United States, including remote or isolated sites, and extended travel on military and commercial aircraft. The appointee must obtain and maintain the required security clearance and may be required to complete a one-year SES probationary period.

Requirements

Must be a U.S. citizen.
Must participate in the direct deposit pay program.
Must successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check if a new Department of the Navy employee.
Must complete ethics orientation within three months of appointment and submit an OGE-278e Public Financial Disclosure Report within 30 days of appointment.
Must sign the Reassignment Rights and Obligations Agreement as a condition of appointment into the SES.
May be required to successfully complete a one-year SES probationary period.
Must complete a Declaration for Federal Employment when requested by the agency.
Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must certify Selective Service registration or exemption.
Must successfully complete a pre-employment drug test, including marijuana; the selectee is subject to random testing.
Must obtain and maintain an interim and/or final security clearance before entering on duty.
Must be able to travel on military and commercial aircraft for extended periods; travel may include CONUS and OCONUS locations and remote or isolated sites.
Resume must not exceed two pages and must demonstrate the required Executive Core Qualifications and Technical Qualifications.
TQ 1: Demonstrated experience leading diverse programs or organizations at Service level or higher, with deep understanding of federal policies and statutes, defense programs, Navy and Marine Corps operations, and international relations to program, plan, execute, and evaluate complex public affairs and strategic communication initiatives.
TQ 1: Demonstrated experience providing timely and ethical counsel to senior military and civilian officials on Service-level communication issues and problems.
TQ 1: Demonstrated success advocating for organizational programs, personnel, and resources to meet or exceed mission requirements.
TQ 2: Established professional experience as a senior organizational spokesperson and/or building and maintaining a professional media relations program.
TQ 2: Demonstrated understanding and management of narrative-generation strategies and tactics, including contemporary digital and multimedia productions, social media visual storytelling, organizational public web, entertainment media, community engagement, and internal communication systems.
ECQ 1: Demonstrated knowledge of the American system of government and commitment to uphold the Constitution, the rule of law, and service to the American people.
ECQ 2: Demonstrated ability to manage resources strategically and efficiently, budget effectively, cut wasteful spending, and pursue efficiency through process and technological upgrades.
ECQ 3: Demonstrated knowledge, ability, and technical competence to reliably produce work of exceptional quality.
ECQ 4: Demonstrated ability to lead and inspire a group toward organizational vision, mission, and goals; foster a high-performance, high-accountability culture; lead through change; and hold individuals accountable.
ECQ 5: Demonstrated ability to achieve individual and organizational results and align results with superiors' stated goals.
Candidates who are current SES members, have OPM-approved SES Candidate Development Program certification, or have SES reinstatement eligibility may provide proof of eligibility in place of responding to the ECQs.
Retired military members appointed to a civilian position within 180 days immediately following retirement are subject to 5 U.S.C. 3326.

Responsibilities

Lead Service-level planning, coordination, execution, and enterprise oversight of Marine Corps communication strategy and visual information activities.
Formulate and communicate Marine Corps positions on complex issues to Headquarters Marine Corps, the Department of War, combatant commands, and interagency stakeholders.
Advise senior leaders on communication strategy, the information environment, and campaigns that advance Commandant of the Marine Corps goals and audience engagement.
Assess political and information environments and integrate communication strategies into Marine Corps programs, plans, policies, and operations.
Provide Service-wide policy guidance and support for communication research, planning, execution, and evaluation for Marines and civilian employees.
Advance communication strategy capabilities using contemporary practices from academic, independent, public-sector, and private-sector sources.
Guide policy, planning, programming, budgeting, and resource management, including personnel, contracts, performance measures, and an approximate $5 billion annual budget.
Provide timely and ethical counsel to senior military and civilian officials on Service-level communication issues and problems.
Advocate for directorate and organizational programs, personnel, and resources to meet or exceed mission requirements.
Lead and manage narrative-generation approaches and communication channels to connect with key publics and stakeholders.