Editor in Chief (Alexandria, VA)

This position is contingent upon contract award. While not an immediate opening, we are actively interviewing and extending offers in anticipation of award. 

The Company 

At ICF Next, we are driven by the opportunity to solve complex challenges that matter. Our teams combine expertise in communications, technology, analytics, and program management to help government clients tackle critical national priorities. We are fearless in exploring new ideas, relentless in delivering results for our clients, and committed to making a meaningful impact. We bring together strategists, creatives, technologists, analysts, and communicators to deliver integrated outreach and engagement solutions that strengthen mission-driven organizations. 

The Work 

ICF Next is seeking an Editor in Chief to support a high-profile federal government client focused on military and family support programs. This role oversees editorial review, approval, and quality assurance for outreach and communications content supporting military service members, families, survivors, and caregivers across a broad portfolio of programs and initiatives. 

The Editor in Chief will lead editorial oversight activities across a broad portfolio of communications and outreach initiatives to ensure all communications products are accurate, consistent, strategically aligned, and compliant with program objectives, messaging guidance, accessibility standards, and federal requirements prior to publication or distribution. This role serves as the senior editorial authority supporting integrated outreach and engagement initiatives across print, digital, multimedia, and stakeholder communications channels. 

Operating within a fast-paced federal environment, the role requires close coordination with government stakeholders, communications strategists, writers, designers, digital teams, and program leadership to support high-visibility communications efforts and mission-driven engagement campaigns. The ideal candidate will bring deep expertise in editorial leadership, strategic communications, content governance, and digital communications within complex organizational environments. 

Job Location 

Onsite – Alexandria, VA. Work is performed onsite in support of a secure federal client environment in Alexandria, VA, as required by client and contract activities. 

What You Will Do 

• Oversee editorial review and approval of outreach and communications content across multiple platforms and deliverables prior to publication or release 

• Ensure accuracy, consistency, clarity, tone, grammar, and compliance with enterprise messaging, branding standards, accessibility requirements, and federal communications guidance 

• Ensure content aligns with Associated Press style guidance, federal plain language standards, accessibility requirements, and established editorial governance processes 

• Lead editorial quality assurance processes supporting strategic communications, public engagement, and outreach initiatives under program communications requirements 

• Review and edit communications products including articles, reports, web content, social media copy, newsletters, stakeholder materials, toolkits, leadership communications, and briefing materials 

• Review and approve digital, multimedia, social media, and web-based communications products supporting integrated outreach and engagement campaigns 

• Coordinate closely with government stakeholders and cross-functional teams to support integrated communications and outreach strategies 

• Establish and maintain editorial standards, style guidance, review workflows, and content governance procedures 

• Support executive-level communications through editorial review of speeches, talking points, presentations, and engagement materials 

• Manage editorial timelines, approvals, deliverables, and review cycles across multiple concurrent initiatives 

• Provide editorial guidance, mentorship, and constructive feedback to writers, contributors, and communications teams 

• Ensure communications products align with audience engagement objectives and organizational priorities 

Basic Qualifications 

• Active Secret clearance required 

• Ability to work onsite in Alexandria, VA, as required by client and contract operations required by client and contract operations 

• U.S. citizenship required 

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, English, public affairs, marketing, or related field 

• 10+ years of professional experience in editorial leadership, strategic communications, content management, public affairs, or related communications disciplines 

Preferred Qualifications 

• Experience overseeing editorial review and approval processes for large-scale communications or outreach programs 

• Experience supporting a federal defense client or military community programs 

• Familiarity with federal communications standards, clearance processes, and accessibility requirements 

• Familiarity with content lifecycle management processes across digital and traditional communications platforms 

• Experience supporting executive-level stakeholder engagement and leadership communications 

• Familiarity with performance metrics, audience engagement analytics, and communications reporting 

• Master’s degree preferred 

Professional Skills 

• Exceptional writing, editing, proofreading, and content quality assurance skills 

• Strong organizational and project management capabilities 

• Excellent stakeholder engagement and collaboration abilities 

• Strong attention to detail and ability to maintain consistency across high-volume communications products 

• Ability to manage competing priorities and tight deadlines in a fast-paced federal environment 

• Collaborative mindset with the ability to work across multidisciplinary teams 

Working at ICF

Pay Range - There are multiple factors that are considered in determining final pay for a position, including, but not limited to, relevant work experience, skills, certifications and competencies that align to the specified role, geographic location, education and certifications as well as contract provisions regarding labor categories that are specific to the position.

The pay range for this position based on full-time employment is: