Academic Engagement Analyst

RMantra Solutions; Alexandria, Northern (VA, KY); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

RMantra Solutions is seeking an Academic Engagement/Strategic Communication Specialist for CAEO. The role supports the External Programs Coordinator and coordinates with national academic institutions to advance DoW cyber initiatives.

You will craft strategic communications, manage digital content, and oversee partner reporting for programs like NCAE-C and UC2, ensuring alignment with CAEO and DoW objectives. This hybrid role requires DoD Secret clearance and engagement with senior leaders.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required with 5+ years of experience; four additional years can substitute for the degree.
• Deep understanding of military cyber requirements and higher education ecosystems; familiarity with NDU, SMC DoW institutes, and federal grant/consortium models.

Responsibilities

• External Program Support: serves as primary operational liaison for CAEO initiatives (NCAE-C, SMC DoW Cyber Institutes, UC2, VICEROY, NDU CIC).
• Stakeholder Engagement & Scheduling: manages high-level coordination and scheduling for the External Programs Coordinator; prepares read-ahead materials and meeting minutes.
• Strategic Communications: drafts and distributes external communications; editor for CAEO newsletter, disseminating program updates and grant opportunities.
• Digital Content Management: maintains the CAEO external website and platforms; ensures content is current and compliant with release protocols.
• Directorate Administrative Support: assists in drafting memorandums and briefing decks for SES and General/Flag reviews; maintains partnership records.

Skills

Written communication

Verbal communication

Emotional intelligence

Calendar management

Event coordination

Administrative prioritization

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Enterprise collaboration tools

Job description

Academic Engagement/Strategic Communication Specialist – CAEO

Location:

Mark Center and / or Pentagon

Clearance

DoD Secret

Schedule

Hybrid Work Schedule – 3 -4 times a week onsite

Shift

Day

The External Academic Engagement Analyst serves as the primary operational and communications conduit for the CAEO’s external portfolio. Working in direct support of the CAEO External Programs Coordinator (GS-15), this position is critical to sustaining and expanding the Department of War’s partnerships with national academic institutions. The manager ensures seamless coordination, stakeholder engagement, and strategic messaging across highly visible programs, including the National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity (NCAE-C), Senior Military Colleges DoW Cyber Institutes, University Consortium for Cybersecurity (UC2), VICEROY, and the NDU College of Information and Cyberspace (CIC).

Primary Responsibilities

• External Program Support: Acts as the primary operational liaison for major CAEO initiatives (NCAE-C, SMC DoW Cyber Institutes, UC2, VICEROY, NDU CIC). Tracks program milestones, consolidates partner reporting, and ensures academic partner activities align with DoW strategic objectives.
• Stakeholder Engagement & Scheduling: Manages high-level coordination and scheduling for the External Programs Coordinator. De-conflicts and organizes engagements with university presidents, academic deans, interagency partners, and DoW leadership. Prepares read-ahead materials and meeting minutes for external engagements.
• Strategic Communications: Drafts, reviews, and distributes external communications to the academic and defense communities. Serves as the primary editor for the CAEO newsletter, ensuring accurate and timely dissemination of program updates, grant opportunities, and strategic messaging.
• Digital Content Management: Manages and updates the CAEO external-facing website and digital platforms. Ensures web content regarding academic partnerships, program requirements, and DoW cyber initiatives remains current, accurate, and compliant with public release protocols.
• Directorate Administrative Support: Provides direct administrative and operational support to the GS-15 External Academic Engagement Director. Assists in drafting memorandums, developing briefing decks for Senior Executive Service (SES) and General/Flag Officer review, and maintaining organized records of academic partnership agreements.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree and 5 years of experience. Four additional years of related experience can be used in lieu of Bachelor’s.
• Deep understanding of the intersection between military cyber requirements and higher education ecosystems. Familiarity with the structures of Senior Military Colleges, NDU, and federal grant/consortium models

REQUIRED SKILLS:

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills. Proven ability to draft professional newsletters, manage web content, and tailor messaging for diverse audiences (e.g., academia, military leadership, public sector).
• High emotional intelligence and professionalism required to interface with senior academic officials and DoW leadership. Capable of building and maintaining robust collaborative networks.
• Highly proficient in calendar management, event coordination, and administrative prioritization in a fast-paced environment. Mastery of Microsoft Office Suite and enterprise collaboration tools.

Join a dynamic team where your ideas matter and your career thrives.