Assistant Director of Publications – External Relations

Job summary

At CSIS, we actively seek to employ a diverse group of people who embody our organizational values. We welcome and encourage individuals of all backgrounds to apply, especially those from traditionally underrepresented groups.

The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) is a non-profit, bipartisan public policy organization established in 1962 to provide strategic insights and practical policy solutions to decision-makers concerned with global security and prosperity. Over the years, it has grown to be one of the largest organizations of its kind, with a staff of approximately 250 employees, including more than 120 analysts working to address the changing dynamics of international security across the globe.

The assistant director of publications plays a leading role in advancing CSIS’s publications process as part of the External Relations Department. CSIS publishes hundreds of digital and print reports and shorter analyses annually written by our in-house scholars, whose expertise is highly sought after in informing and shaping ongoing national security and international affairs policymaking. This position supports a critical aspect of the Center’s work. The assistant director of publications will work closely with a team of in-house editors and graphic designers, the vice president of communications, and other members of the External Relations and iDeas Lab teams. They will also work with external copyeditors to support all aspects of publication processes, particularly long-form publications such as policy reports, briefs, and white papers. Additional core responsibilities include providing project management, editing, and administrative support. The assistant director serves on a team of four editors and will work alongside the award-winning iDeas Lab multimedia staff.

The annual salary for this position is $75,000-$85,000.

Essential duties and responsibilities

Essential functions may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Copyediting written works, to include:
  • Playing a senior role editing and managing CSIS’s long-form written analysis portfolio on a range of issues in the international affairs and national security fields.
  • Assisting with editing short-form, commentary-style analyses, as needed.
  • Reviewing publications prior to and following posting on the CSIS website to ensure CSIS style and standards are being met.
• Implement day-to-day coordination of publications and publication systems/processes, including to:
  • Track CSIS publications and related databases.
  • Serve as a primary liaison with CSIS program staff and coordinate with publishers, freelancers, vendors, graphic designers, and the CSIS website management team.
  • Review publication postings on the CSIS website per best practice and established standards in collaboration with the CSIS website management team.
  • Assist in administrative tasks, including standard operating procedures (SOPs) and accounting.
• Other duties and projects as needed.

Knowledge, education, and experience

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field.
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in publishing or a related field with emphasis on copyediting and training in the Chicago Manual of Style.
• Digital publications experience and familiarity with print publication processes.
• Familiarity with international affairs and national security issues preferred.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (including Word and PowerPoint) and Adobe Acrobat.
• Familiarity with creative, web, and/or digital technologies a plus and openness to adapting to new technologies.
• Exceptional organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills—including the ability to comfortably communicate directly with senior staff, effectively present information, and quickly respond to inquiries from a wider variety of partners and constituents, while operating in a fast-paced environment and managing competing priorities.
• Strong attention to detail, initiative, and follow-through skills.

Physical requirements and work conditions

The physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee working in an office environment. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or protected veteran status.

Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.

OUR BENEFITS

• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Life insurance
• Short-term and long-term disability
• 403(b) for retirement planning
• Tuition Assistance
• Flexible Spending Account
• Health Savings Account
• Military Leave
• 12 Paid Holidays
• Sick leave
• Vacation leave

How to apply

Interested candidates should submit a resume and cover letter at http://csis.org/careers.