George Washington University
Director, Project for Media and National Security
🇺🇸
Washington, DC
🕑
Full-Time
💰
$100K - $114K
💻
Other
🗓️
June 10th, 2026
Edtech.com's Summary
George Washington University is hiring a Director for the Project for Media and National Security. The Director will organize and host conversations between national security journalists and senior officials, oversee logistics, budgeting, and staffing, and coordinate fundraising and collaborations with university units to advance public understanding of national security and cyber issues.
Highlights
- Lead moderated conversations linking journalists with national security leaders to enhance public understanding.
- Organize briefings, salons, symposia, and various events focused on national security and cybersecurity.
- Manage project logistics, budgeting, website, and a small supporting staff.
- Collaborate with SMPA leadership and the GW development team to secure funding.
- Coordinate with relevant GW institutes including IPDGC and IDDP and other SMPA initiatives.
- Create annual strategic plans and budgets for the Project.
- Opportunity to teach one course annually at undergraduate and/or graduate levels.
- Requires BA/BS or equivalent and 7 years of professional journalism experience with strong knowledge of U.S. national security.
- Experience managing similar projects with technical and financial oversight is required.
- Salary range is $100,000-$114,000 with access to university employee benefits and requires background screening for hire.
Director, Project for Media and National Security Full Description
Director, Project for Media and National Security
Please see Special Instructions for more details.
To apply, please submit an online application and upload a CV or resume, letter of interest, and a list of names and contact information for 3 references.
Only complete applications will be considered. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.
Only complete applications will be considered. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.
Recruitment Plan
I. RECRUITMENT PLAN
Posting Number: | F002618
Academic Title: | Director, Project for Media and National Security
Rank: | Research Professor
Administrative Title: |
Discipline | Humanities
Specialty: |
Contract Type: | Research, Renewable Appointment (initial appt period) - 05/15/2026-05/14/2027
Required Licenses/Certifications and other Specific Requirements: | Criminal History Screening, Education/Degree/Certifications Verification, Social Security Number Trace, and Sex Offender Registry Search
Proposed Start Date: | 05/15/2026
Full-Time/Part-Time: | Full-Time
Position Description Summary: | The School of Media and Public Affairs (SMPA) is a trailblazer in the study of political communication, journalism and media. As the only school of its kind in the capital of politics and media, SMPA excels at bringing Washington into the classroom. The SMPA community benefits from access to an extensive network, events with political and media leaders and a prime location to explore the interplay of media and politics.
The Project for Media and National Security Director (PMNSD) plays a vital role in advancing public understanding of national security, defense, and cyber issues confronting the United States and the world. Through regular briefings, salons, and high-level interactions between journalists and national security decision-makers, PMNSD provides a unique space, at one of the leading academic institutions in the country, for thoughtful and informative exchanges of information.
The position would organize and host moderated conversations among journalists who cover national security, cybersecurity and related issues with senior national security officials, military officers, policy-makers and experts; oversee logistics, budget, website and small staff that support PMNS activities; work with SMPA leadership and GW development team to raise necessary funding. Coordinate with relevant GW units including the Institute for Public Diplomacy and Global Communications (IPDGC), the Institute for Data, Democracy and Politics (IDDP), and SMPA initiatives as appropriate. Provide opportunities for the wider GW community to benefit from PMNS activities. The position creates an annual strategic plan and budget for the Project and may have the opportunity to teach one course per year for undergraduate and/or graduate students.
The initial appointment for this full-time position will be for one year beginning as soon as July 1, 2026, and will be renewable.
Specific Duties and Responsibilities:
• Elevate journalism on national security, defense and cyber security issues by engaging prominent national security journalists with decision-makers, policymakers and military leaders to deepen understanding and contextual reporting,
• Organize regular media conversations and briefings as well as symposia; private and public events,
• Build and maintain relationships with journalists, experts, and organizations in the field and seek collaboration regarding national security issues and media with other parts of the University,
• Develop a public profile on behalf of quality journalism and an informed public. Interact with faculty and students, and be responsible for running the project, including its administrative, budgetary and fundraising activities.
• Manage business relationships, identify incremental strategic growth and market opportunities for the Project.
• Develop account reviews and planning sessions to meet overall strategic objectives.
• Work with SMPA leadership to provide the University and Project funders with required reporting and financial accounting for PMNS activities.
Minimum Qualifications: | BA/BS or equivalent degree in a related discipline plus 7 years of relevant professional experience in journalism and an in-depth understanding of U.S. national security structures, players and policies. Degree must be conferred by the start date of the position.
Experience managing a similar project for a university, non-profit or other organization, including both technical and financial skills.
Advertised Salary: | $100,000-$114,000
Other Benefits: | The successful applicant will have access to the full range of GW’s employee benefits including medical insurance. Information on GW’s employee benefits is at https://hr.gwu.edu/benefits-programs
Other Information: |
Special Instructions to Applicants: | To apply, please submit an online application and upload a CV or resume, letter of interest, and a list of names and contact information for 3 references.
Only complete applications will be considered. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.
Department Link: | https://smpa.gwu.edu/
Posting Close Date: |
Open Until Filled: | Yes
Background Screening | Successful Completion of a Background Screening will be required as a condition of hire.
EEO Statement: | The university is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer that does not unlawfully discriminate in any of its programs or activities on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law.
Quick Link | https://www.gwu.jobs/postings/125380
Academic Title: | Director, Project for Media and National Security
Rank: | Research Professor
Administrative Title: |
Discipline | Humanities
Specialty: |
Contract Type: | Research, Renewable Appointment (initial appt period) - 05/15/2026-05/14/2027
Required Licenses/Certifications and other Specific Requirements: | Criminal History Screening, Education/Degree/Certifications Verification, Social Security Number Trace, and Sex Offender Registry Search
Proposed Start Date: | 05/15/2026
Full-Time/Part-Time: | Full-Time
Position Description Summary: | The School of Media and Public Affairs (SMPA) is a trailblazer in the study of political communication, journalism and media. As the only school of its kind in the capital of politics and media, SMPA excels at bringing Washington into the classroom. The SMPA community benefits from access to an extensive network, events with political and media leaders and a prime location to explore the interplay of media and politics.
The Project for Media and National Security Director (PMNSD) plays a vital role in advancing public understanding of national security, defense, and cyber issues confronting the United States and the world. Through regular briefings, salons, and high-level interactions between journalists and national security decision-makers, PMNSD provides a unique space, at one of the leading academic institutions in the country, for thoughtful and informative exchanges of information.
The position would organize and host moderated conversations among journalists who cover national security, cybersecurity and related issues with senior national security officials, military officers, policy-makers and experts; oversee logistics, budget, website and small staff that support PMNS activities; work with SMPA leadership and GW development team to raise necessary funding. Coordinate with relevant GW units including the Institute for Public Diplomacy and Global Communications (IPDGC), the Institute for Data, Democracy and Politics (IDDP), and SMPA initiatives as appropriate. Provide opportunities for the wider GW community to benefit from PMNS activities. The position creates an annual strategic plan and budget for the Project and may have the opportunity to teach one course per year for undergraduate and/or graduate students.
The initial appointment for this full-time position will be for one year beginning as soon as July 1, 2026, and will be renewable.
Specific Duties and Responsibilities:
• Elevate journalism on national security, defense and cyber security issues by engaging prominent national security journalists with decision-makers, policymakers and military leaders to deepen understanding and contextual reporting,
• Organize regular media conversations and briefings as well as symposia; private and public events,
• Build and maintain relationships with journalists, experts, and organizations in the field and seek collaboration regarding national security issues and media with other parts of the University,
• Develop a public profile on behalf of quality journalism and an informed public. Interact with faculty and students, and be responsible for running the project, including its administrative, budgetary and fundraising activities.
• Manage business relationships, identify incremental strategic growth and market opportunities for the Project.
• Develop account reviews and planning sessions to meet overall strategic objectives.
• Work with SMPA leadership to provide the University and Project funders with required reporting and financial accounting for PMNS activities.
Minimum Qualifications: | BA/BS or equivalent degree in a related discipline plus 7 years of relevant professional experience in journalism and an in-depth understanding of U.S. national security structures, players and policies. Degree must be conferred by the start date of the position.
Experience managing a similar project for a university, non-profit or other organization, including both technical and financial skills.
Advertised Salary: | $100,000-$114,000
Other Benefits: | The successful applicant will have access to the full range of GW’s employee benefits including medical insurance. Information on GW’s employee benefits is at https://hr.gwu.edu/benefits-programs
Other Information: |
Special Instructions to Applicants: | To apply, please submit an online application and upload a CV or resume, letter of interest, and a list of names and contact information for 3 references.
Only complete applications will be considered. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.
Department Link: | https://smpa.gwu.edu/
Posting Close Date: |
Open Until Filled: | Yes
Background Screening | Successful Completion of a Background Screening will be required as a condition of hire.
EEO Statement: | The university is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer that does not unlawfully discriminate in any of its programs or activities on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law.
Quick Link | https://www.gwu.jobs/postings/125380
Applicant Documents
Required Documents
- Curriculum Vitae
- Cover Letter
- Names and Contact Information for References
Optional Documents
Posting Specific Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
- * Will you have a BA/BS degree or the equivalent in a related field by the start date of the position?
- Yes
- No
- * Do you have at least 7 years of relevant professional experience in journalism?
- Yes
- No
- * Can you demonstrate an in-depth understanding of U.S. national security structures, players, and policies?
- Yes
- No
- * Do you have experience managing a similar project for a university, non-profit, or other organization, including both technical and financial skills?
- Yes
- No
Human Resource
Management & Development
2013 H Street, NW, 3rd Floor
Washington, DC 20006
Phone: 202-994-8500
Fax: 202-994-9680
Email: askhrmd@gwu.edu
Recognition_Toolkit
Talent@GWLogin
Washington, DC 20006
Phone: 202-994-8500
Fax: 202-994-9680
Email: askhrmd@gwu.edu
Recognition_Toolkit
Talent@GWLogin
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