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Communication Strategist

United States Marine Band
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Note: This position requires enlistment in the U.S. Marine Corps, HOWEVER members of "The President's Own" United States Marine Band (including the communication strategist) are exempt from recruit training ("boot camp") and permanently assigned to the Marine Band in Washington, DC.

Job Description

The Communication Strategist will be an integral part of a team of six Marines who are responsible for protecting and promoting the brand of “The President’s Own” while building and maintaining mutually beneficial relationships with internal and external audiences and advising the band’s leadership of public relations trends, issues, and opportunities. Position includes annual travel during the spring for approximately two weeks to advance the Marine Band’s National Concert Tour. The ideal candidate will have strong writing and verbal communication skills and be fluent in the fundamentals of public relations and digital marketing. In this team-based position, the Communication Strategist will frequently collaborate with the Marine Band Recording Lab and Library on production and research projects. Must be able to work occasional evenings and weekends as required.

Duties and Responsibilities

  • Writing, editing and publishing feature articles, marketing content, biographies, press releases and copy for the organization’s digital properties
  • Social media planning, content creation, scheduling and engagement
  • Digital marketing using email marketing software
  • Media relations, including outreach and earned media coverage at national and local levels
  • Event photography, photo editing and asset management
  • Website management using the Marine Corps content management system
  • Management of the organization’s participation and presence at conventions
  • Interaction with concert patrons, both in person and online via livestreams
  • Event management to include guest invitations/RSVPs, ticket distribution, publicity, etc.
  • Meeting with performance venue representatives to ensure effective promotion, ticketing and logistical matters for tour concerts
  • Managing vendor/contractor relationships as needed
  • Support in other duties as assigned

Job Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in Communication, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing or related field.
  • Three years public relations or marketing experience.
  • Knowledge of AP Style
  • Familiarity with Adobe Creative Suite and graphic design experience is a plus.

Ideal software experiences include:

  • Adobe Suite (Lightroom, Photoshop, Express)
  • Cision or Meltwater or other media monitoring software

Salary and Benefits

  • Starting at $76,000 – $83,000 annually (Marine Corps rank of Staff Sergeant)
  • 30 days paid vacation annually
  • Full medical and dental care, plus Tricare medical insurance for dependent family members
  • Educational benefits such as the G.I. Bill and tuition assistance
  • Parental Leave
  • Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) and TSP matching (Government 401(k) equivalent)

About the Marine Band

“The President’s Own” United States Marine Band is America’s continuously active oldest musical organization, whose mission is to provide music for the President of the United States and Commandant of the Marine Corps. Members of “The President’s Own” perform frequently at the White House in small ensembles, chamber orchestra, concert band, and as soloists. They perform for a wide variety of commitments, to include public concerts, recording sessions, tours, chamber music recitals, military ceremonies and state functions. Today’s Marine Band is composed of 160 of the nation’s finest musicians and a full-time professional staff consisting of Communication Strategists, Recording Engineers, Stage Managers, Music Arrangers, and Librarians. Those staff members and musicians selected for “The President’s Own” are exempt from recruit training and are appointed to the rank of Staff Sergeant/pay grade E-6 under a contract “for duty with the U.S. Marine Band only.”

Enlistment Qualifications

Those selected for “The President’s Own” are exempt from recruit training ("boot camp") and are appointed to the rank of Staff Sergeant/pay grade E-6 under a contract “for duty with the U.S. Marine Band only.” Current regulations authorize enlistment between ages 17 and 28. Age waivers may be granted in some cases; however the maximum age for which waivers may be granted to those with no prior military service is 34. Applicants must also pass the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) and a complete physical examination, which includes complying with established height/weight standards both at the time of enlistment and throughout one’s Marine Corps career.

United States citizenship and successful completion of an extensive background investigation are mandatory in order to obtain a Secret Security Clearance with Category III White House Access. Applicants holding dual citizenship will be required to renounce their foreign citizenship as a prerequisite to obtaining clearance. This clearance is a requirement for the assignment of the Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) 5511 - Member, U.S. Marine Band. Due to the length and scope of the security clearance process, it is initiated following the member's enlistment onto active duty. Failure to obtain and maintain this security clearance may result in administrative separation from the U.S. Marine Corps.

Application Process

Interested applicants should submit the following items no later than June 30, 2024:

  • Application - (access here: https://www.marineband.marines.mil/Career-Info/)
  • Cover letter and resume, along with three references with phone numbers.
  • Portfolio with at least three writing samples. Examples of graphic design and photography are also encouraged, but not required.

All materials should be sent electronically using a cloud or file-sharing service to marinebandpublicaffairs1@gmail.com, with the subject line: Job Application, First Name Last Name

Only qualified applicants will be contacted after the requested materials have been received. The first round of interviews will be conducted by phone. Those applicants who advance will be invited to visit Marine Barracks Annex in Washington, D.C. for an in-person interview that will take place July 29- Aug. 2, 2024, and will also include a writing exercise and lunch with members of the U.S. Marine Band Office of Communication.

For further information or questions, please contact:

Master Sergeant Rachel Ghadiali
Communication Strategy Chief
United States Marine Band
marineband.communication@usmc.mil
(202) 433-5809