HEAD OF PUBLISHING & DIGITAL CONTENT

Summary

National Defense University (NDU) supports the joint warfighter by providing rigorous Joint Professional Military Education to members of the U.S. Armed Forces and select others in order to develop leaders who have the ability to operate and creatively think in an unpredictable and complex world. This is a Title 10 Excepted Service Appointment. Appointment is not to exceed 2 years with the possibility for extension.

Duties

Introduction. The mission of the National Defense University (NDU) is to educate joint warfighters and other national security leaders in critical thinking and the creative application of military power. The Institute for National Strategic Studies (INSS) is the research arm of NDU. INSS provides the Department of War (DoW) with applied, cutting-edge research, rigorous analyses, and wargaming on priority national security issues. It shapes strategy, informs decisions, and mitigates risk to ensure the United States can fight and win. INSS includes NDU Press, which prepares the joint warfighter to think critically about topics related to national defense policy, military strategy, and national security. The NDU Press publishes Joint Force Quarterly, INSS Strategic Perspectives, books, and monographs. Through its research, analyses, and publications, INSS advances the NDU mission and provides the Joint Force with decision advantage. Major Duties. The Head of Publishing and Digital Content (HPDC) leads the execution and modernization of NDU Press as an integrated, multi-platform, publishing operation. The HPDC supervises 4 to 5 editors and digital media specialists. He/she ensures efficient publishing workflows, strong editorial governance, and effective dissemination across print, web, and social media platforms. Working closely with INSS Director, Deputy Director and Dean of Administration, the HPDC integrates content production, editorial processes, and digital distribution to enhance the impact of INSS research. Publishing Operations and Workflow Management: The HPDC will manage end-to-end publishing workflows for Joint Force Quarterly and Strategic Perspectives. He/she will improve efficiency, transparency, and timeliness of the production processes for these and other special publications. The HPDC will also implement and enforce digital-first publication practices across NDU Press products. He/she will coordinate production schedules, ensure adherence to deadlines, and identify and resolve workflow bottlenecks across editorial and production stages. 30% Digital Content and Distribution Strategy: The HPDC will develop and implement an integrated content dissemination strategy across print and digital channels for INSS. He/she will manage Strategic Insights (blog), website content, and INSS social media platforms. As part of these responsibilities, the HPDC also will coordinate with INSS Director to establish and track performance metrics (e.g., reach, engagement, timeliness) of INSS products and use data and analytics to inform dissemination strategies. 20% Editorial Governance: The HPDC will serve as Chair of the Editorial Board for Joint Force Quarterly. He/she will be responsible for article selection and peer review processes and maintain high standards of quality and relevance for articles published by Joint Force Quarterly. He/she will coordinate with the INSS Director to ensure alignment of published content with Department of War priorities and target audiences. The HPDC will provide guidance to NDU Press editorial staff while delegating day-to-day editorial development. 25% Team Management and Coordination: The HPDC will supervise four or five staff, including no less than two editors and two digital/media staff. He/she will structure workflows across editorial and digital functions, set priorities, assign responsibilities, and monitor performance. He/she also will work to foster collaboration between INSS research fellows, editorial, and digital personnel. The HPDC will coordinate with the INSS Director, Deputy Director and research fellows on content pipeline and timelines to ensure effective handoff between content development, review, and publication. 15% Administrative Requirements. INSS does not have designated administrative support staff. The HPDC will be expected to comply with administrative requirements in a timely manner. This requirement includes completing monthly reports, travel request forms, country and theater clearance request forms, travel vouchers, conflict of interest paperwork, training requirements, and other administrative tasks. 5%

Qualifications

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS: Required qualifications for the Head of Publishing and Digital Content are as follows: Education: Masters of Publishing / Publishing Studies from a regionally accredited university (or international equivalents) with 10 years of direct experience in the field of publishing, editorial management or content production, including managing teams and complex workflows. Or Master of Arts (English) or Masters in Fine Arts (Creative Writing) with 10 years of direct experience in the field of publishing, editorial management or content production, including managing teams and complex workflows. Knowledge: Demonstrated understanding of the Joint Force and the U.S. military more broadly, including its role in U.S. national security strategy. Familiarity with digital publishing platforms, social media, and content dissemination strategies DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS: Required qualifications for the Head of Publishing and Digital Content are as follows: Experience in academic, policy, or government publishing environments Experience leading or participating in editorial boards or peer review processes Familiarity with analytics and performance measurement tools for digital content Current Top-Secret Security Clearance. Volunteer Experience: Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills, and can provide valuable training and experience that translates to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education

Education Requirement: Masters of Publishing / Publishing Studies from a regionally accredited university (or international equivalents) or Master of Arts (English) or Masters in Fine Arts (Creative Writing). Official Transcripts: Official transcripts are not required at the time of application; however, if the position has a positive degree requirement, qualifying based on education alone or in combination with experience, transcripts must be verified PRIOR to appointment, if selected for the role. * An accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education must accredit education. Click here to check accreditation. FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in a conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence PRIOR to appointment. Qualifying education from colleges and universities in foreign countries must be evaluated in terms of equivalency to that acquired in U.S. colleges and universities. Applicants educated in whole or in part in foreign countries must submit sufficient evidence, including transcripts, to an accredited private organization for an equivalency evaluation of course work and degree. You must provide a copy of the letter containing the results of the equivalency evaluation upon request. Failure to provide such documentation when requested will result in lost consideration. For more information regarding evaluation of foreign education for federal