Protocol Officer - Active TS/SCI

ENS Solutions, LLC; Charlottesville (VA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/dental/vision coverage

401k contribution from Day 1

PTO + 11 paid federal holidays

Disability insurance

Group life insurance

Tuition & certification support

Workers’ compensation

Relocation assistance

Job summary

ENS Solutions, LLC is seeking a Senior Protocol Officer to serve as the principal advisor on official protocol, ceremony, and diplomatic etiquette for engagements involving senior leadership and distinguished visitors. The role requires autonomy, strategic foresight, and exceptional diplomatic tact to uphold the organization on a global stage.

The Senior Protocol Officer will plan complex itineraries, coordinate secure transportation, lodging, and entertainment, and oversee all aspects of

Qualifications

• Master’s degree or 15+ years direct protocol experience required.
• 10+ years in a protocol-focused role within diplomatic, military, government, or international corporate settings.
• Proven leadership in planning and executing large-scale, high-visibility events.
• Direct protocol advisory experience to Flag Officers, Ambassadors or C-suite executives.
• Experience coordinating communications and event planning for senior leaders and dignitaries.

Responsibilities

• Serve as primary advisor on order of precedence, flag etiquette, forms of address, and cultural customs.
• Lead planning and execution of distinguished visitor engagements: itineraries, transport, lodging, and entertainment.
• Direct all aspects of official ceremonies, conferences, and formal events from venue to scripts.
• Act as liaison with foreign embassies, government agencies, military, and external organizations.
• Manage official gift program and presentation of gifts to counterparts.
• Develop and maintain protocol policies and train staff accordingly.
• Oversee crisis management from a protocol perspective and adjust plans as needed.
• Manage protocol office budget and supervise junior staff, interns, or volunteers.

Skills

Strategic planning

Event management

Diplomatic tact

Stakeholder liaison

Budget management

Crisis management

Team leadership

Foreign language proficiency

Education

Master's degree in Business, Political Science, International Relations, Public Administration, or related field

15+ years of direct protocol experience

Formal training in protocol or event management

Job description

The Protocol Officer – Senior, is a principal advisor and the lead planner for all matters of official protocol, ceremony, and diplomatic etiquette for NGA. This position operates with a high degree of autonomy and is responsible for flawlessly planning and executing high-level visits, ceremonies, and special events involving senior leadership, foreign dignitaries, and other distinguished visitors. The Senior Protocol Officer provides expert guidance to ensure all interactions adhere to international norms, cultural sensitivities, and established precedent, thereby upholding the reputation and dignity of the organization on a global stage. This role requires strategic foresight, exceptional diplomatic tact, and the ability to manage complex logistics under pressure.

Duties May Include:

• Serve as the primary subject matter expert and principal advisor to senior leadership on all protocol-related matters, including order of precedence, flag etiquette, forms of address, and cultural customs.
• Lead the comprehensive planning, coordination, and execution of distinguished visitor engagements, including creating detailed itineraries, arranging secure transportation, lodging, and official entertainment.
• Direct all aspects of official ceremonies, conferences, and formal events, overseeing everything from venue selection and seating arrangements to scriptwriting and sequence of events.
• Function as the primary liaison with foreign embassies, government agencies, military counterparts, and other external organizations to coordinate visits and events.
• Manage the organization’s official gift program, including the selection, procurement, and presentation of appropriate gifts for foreign and domestic counterparts.
• Develop and maintain the organization’s official protocol policies and provide training to staff and leadership to ensure consistent application.
• Oversee crisis management from a protocol perspective, adapting plans quickly and discreetly in response to unexpected schedule changes or diplomatic incidents.
• Manage the protocol office budget, resources, and supervise junior protocol staff, interns, or volunteers.

Required Skills:

• Education: A minimum of a Master’s degree in Business, Political Science, International Relations, Public Administration, or a related field. In lieu of a master’s degree, the candidate must have 15+ years of direct protocol experience. Desired completion of formal training in protocol or event management (e.g., The Protocol School of Washington, George Washington University Event Management Program, or equivalent program).
• Experience: A minimum of 10 years of dedicated, full-time experience in a protocol-focused role within a diplomatic, military, government, or international corporate environment.
• Leadership: Demonstrated experience leading the planning and execution of large-scale, high-visibility events (e.g., summits, state dinners, formal military ceremonies).
• Advisory Role: Proven experience serving as a direct protocol advisor to Flag Officers, Ambassadors, Cabinet-level officials, or C-suite executives.
• Demonstrated experience planning, coordinating, and executing communication and event planning related functions for senior leadership, foreign dignitaries, diplomats, foreign military personnel, legislative, and government officials
• Demonstrated experience in providing on-site logistical support for events including site preparation

Desired Skills:

• Language Skills:Proficiency in one or more foreign languages.
• Formal Training: Completion of a recognized protocol officer training course (e.g., from the Protocol School of Washington, George Washington University Event Management Program, or a similar institution).

Essential Network Security (ENS) Solutions, LLCis a service-disabled veteran owned, highly regarded IT consulting and management firm. ENS consults for the Department of Defense (DoD) and Intelligence Community (IC) providing innovative solutions in the core competency area of Identity, Credential and Access Management (ICAM), Software Development, Cyber and Network Security, System Engineering, Program/Project Management, IT support, Solutions, and Services that yield enduring results. Our strong technical and management experts have been able to maintain a standard of excellence in their relationships while delivering innovative, scalable and collaborative infrastructure to our clients.

Why ENS?

• Free Platinum-Level Medical/Dental/Vision coverage, 100% paid for by ENS
• 401k Contribution from Day 1
• PTO + 11 Paid Federal Holidays
• Long & Short Term Disability Insurance
• Group Term Life Insurance
• Tuition, Certification & Professional Development Assistance
• Workers’ Compensation
• Relocation Assistance

Candidate AI Usage Policy

AI tools are an important part of daily work at ENS Solutions, and we are committed to their responsible and ethical use. To ensure a fair and equitable candidate evaluation based on individual skills, knowledge, and experience, candidates are not permitted to use artificial intelligence or other assistive tools during interviews, whether in person or virtual, unless explicit permission has been granted in advance.