The Cipher Careers

New Media Account Representative

We’re a scrappy, news and analytic start up, completely obsessed with national and global security issues.  If you wake up thinking about whether anti-ISIS strategies are doing any good, or if the CIA really has a program called ‘Treadstone’, we’re probably gonna like each other.  OK, probably kidding about the ‘Treadstone’ thing, but a healthy dose of both curiosity and creativity are excellent things to have.

Our news site is dedicated to creating intelligent meaningful conversation with security experts from both the public and private sector.  We interview the best and brightest minds who have led Intelligence Agencies or spent entire careers working undercover.  We don’t have time for politics.  After all, there’s a world that needs to be saved.

You can help by joining our dynamic team of start up experts.  We’re a start up, which means there is enormous opportunity for growth, and we have awesome benefits like healthcare and the opportunity to own a piece of what you grow.

Let’s talk. Send your resume to: careers@thecipherbrief.com.

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We live in a complex and evolving security landscape.  The Cipher Brief helps you figure out how to navigate it and what it means.  We are a young, innovative digital media platform that focuses on high-level National Security analysis and reporting.  The Cipher Brief has become the go to source for the most credible, expert perspectives on national and global security issues.

If you are an Account Executive with a passion for National Security Media, and are looking to join a team of fast moving high performers, and are innovative with a talent for consultative sales and achieving growth, then we want to speak with you.

Job Responsibilities

  • Develops and grow sales pipeline through prospecting, networking and account development (in a specific territory) to meet and/or exceed goals
  • Sell B2B/B2G advertising campaigns and sponsorship packages to partner companies seeking to reach Fortune 500, government, military and defense markets involved in global security
  • Uses a consultative approach with clients to assist in optimizing brand messages, thought-leadership opportunities and event participation/sponsorships
  • Develop strategies and campaigns, based on the needs of the client, and presents them in proposal format to achieve new business goals
  • Manage campaigns/programs from beginning to end including but not limited to creation, delivery and execution of contracts/insertion orders, collection of needed deliverables from both internal stakeholders and clients, POC for client on all matters related to campaigns/programs
  • Update client information in CRM and generate weekly sales reports for submission to management 

Qualifications

  • Hunter mentality 
  • Experience in consultative selling and program/campaign development
  • Strong awareness of key media metrics
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills
  • Organized thinker, with strong attention to detail
  • Ability to work under pressure
  • Strong PowerPoint and Excel skills
  • Creativity, solutions-orientation, and entrepreneurial mindset
  • Collaborative spirit, with the ability to coordinate across a cross-functional, high-performing team

We're currently recruiting for Washington DC, New York, Atlanta and the West Coast.

Oh, and one more thing: The Cipher Brief values its diverse team of entrepreneurs, and we’re committed to providing equal opportunities and creating an inclusive work environment.

Please send your resume and cover letter to careers@thecipherbrief.com.

Executive Administrator

The Executive Administrator position will be responsible for the overall operation of daily office functions and will provide administrative support for the CEO and COO. This position requires an individual with strong project management and communications skills as this person will need to effectively communicate and manage internal and external executives across various fields and industries. This individual should be proactive, self-motivated and be able to prioritize multiple tasks for numerous people in a fast-paced and high-demand environment.

Job Responsibilities:

  • Calendar coordination for a busy traveling C-suite.
  • Identify, track, and manage priorities for company CEO based on email correspondence, phone and in-person conversations.
  • Arrange meetings (internal team & external stakeholders) and coordinate logistics as required.
  • Respond to a high volume of staff needs (HR inquiries/oversight of company benefits plan, track PTO, IT support).
  • Act as company liaison with external service providers with invoices and contracts.
  • Support The Cipher Brief events and operations teams.

Qualifications:

  • 2-3 years experience supporting executive level management; previous position as executive administrator or similar
  • Strong organizational/project management skills and extremely detailed-orientated.
  • Ability to forecast and troubleshoot problems before they occur.
  • Excellent communications skills- both written and verbal.
  • Demonstrated abilities to think and plan ahead, and manage time effectively.
  • Office manager experience a plus.

The position is D.C.-based with occasional travel to Atlanta, Georgia expected. Please send your resume and cover letter to careers@thecipherbrief.com.

Digital Media Manager

The Cipher Brief is looking for a savvy, news-focused Digital Media Manager to join our growing team. We’re looking for someone with a strong background in national security and intelligence, a knack for creating killer content, and experience working with various social media platforms in a news context.

Job Responsibilities:

  • Draft and schedule social media posts across multiple platforms for all content published by The Cipher Brief
  • Monitor breaking news—and break some of our own
  • Track analytics and give recommendations based on performance
  • Be “plugged in” to the evolving world of social media and digital strategy
  • Bring us innovative ideas on how to present and disseminate our content
  • Think beyond Twitter and Facebook to keep The Cipher Brief on the cutting edge of digital media

Qualifications:

  • Strong background in national security and intelligence
  • Experience in journalism, social media, and/or marketing
  • Ability to track, report, and act on analytics from multiple platforms
  • Superior news judgment and editorial sense

Please send your resume and cover letter to careers@thecipherbrief.com.

Associate Digital Producer

This position will be responsible for the preparation, development and production of Cipher Brief content related to international security issues. The Associate Digital Producer is responsible for coordinating the creative, editorial and technical implementation of digital content on The Cipher Brief.

Job Responsibilities:

  • Research and write content on daily, quick-turn news stories
  • Create, update, manage and distribute “The Cipher Weekly Brief” each week on Sunday, to make it relevant, timely and up to date to promote TCB coverage for the upcoming week for our 13,000+ readers
  • Assist with the creation and planning of content
  • Assist in management of expert commentator/contributor database
  • Provide research support for any writing done by the Managing Editor for News; develop outlines, find supporting facts and quotes, etc.
  • Work with Content Manager and Social Media Associate to prepare promotional content for social media
  • Ensure standards of editorial quality are met and meet all targets for content quantity and deadlines

Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism, National Security, or related field
  • A minimum of two-years experience writing and managing content at a major news organization
  • An understanding of what makes compelling stories and what qualifies as news
  • Demonstrated interest in and experience writing about international security issues – to include cyber security
  • Familiarity with Mailchimp or similar distribution mechanisms
  • Fast, agile learner who can find a way to say ‘yes’
  • Experience producing, shooting and editing content for TV and video a plus
  • Advanced copyediting skills a plus

Web Development Associate

We’re looking for a Web Development Associate to create clean and sophisticated user experiences.  The ideal candidate should have an eye for artful design and possess superior user interface design skills.

Job Responsibilities

  • Prepares site by installing and configuring server software; installing programming language using authoring and formatting tools; ensuring cross-platform compatibility; establishing links
  • Search Engine Optimization
  • Upgrades site by updating content and graphics; monitoring performance and results; identifying and evaluating improvement options; introducing new technology
  • Protects site by designing and installing security precautions
  • Execute all visual design stages from concept to changes going live
  • Excellent communication and presentation skills

Qualifications:

  • Proficiency in HTML, CSS and JavaScript for rapid prototyping
  • Excellent visual design skills with sensitivity to user-system interaction
  • Up-to-date with the latest Web trends, techniques and technologies
  • BS/MS in applicable fields
  • Proficiency in Photoshop, Illustrator or other visual design and wire-framing tools
  • Proven work experience as a web designer; experience with Drupal and PHP strongly preferred
  • An appropriate ‘find a way to yes’ attitude
  • The ability to work collaboratively

Please send your resume and cover letter to careers@thecipherbrief.com.

Web Design Associate

We're looking for an experienced and motivated Web Design Associate to create clean and sophisticated user experiences.  The ideal candidate should have an eye for artful design and possess superior user interface design skills.

Here’s what we can offer the right candidate:

  • The typical start up dream, complete with routine chaos and rewards for innovative thinking
  • A swanky Georgetown location, (with exposed brick walls, of course)
  • The opportunity to share in a part of what you build 

Job Responsibilites:

  • An appropriate ‘find a way to yes’ attitude
  • The ability to work collaboratively
  • Execute all visual design stages from concept to changes going live
  • Conceptualize original ideas that bring simplicity and user friendliness to leadership and news requirements
  • Establish and promote design guidelines, best practices and standards and maintain site appearance by enforcing content and display standards

Qualifications:

  • Proven work experience as a web designer; experience with Drupal and PHP strongly preferred
  • Demonstrable graphic design skills with a strong portfolio
  • Solid experience in creating wireframes, storyboards, user flows, process flows and site maps
  • Proficiency in Photoshop, Illustrator or other visual design and wire-framing tools
  • Proficiency in HTML, CSS and JavaScript for rapid prototyping
  • Excellent visual design skills with sensitivity to user-system interaction
  • Up-to-date with the latest Web trends, techniques and technologies
  • BS/MS in applicable fields
  • Excellent communication and presentation skills
  • Knowledge of national security news issues

Oh, one more thing: The Cipher Brief values its diverse team of entrepreneurs and we’re committed to providing equal opportunities and to creating an inclusive work environment.  We want to hear from you. Please send your resume and cover letter to careers@thecipherbrief.com.

Senior News Editor

Our Senior News Editor is instrumental in helping to build and execute our annual strategic plan across our entire digital platform and expanding our editorial coverage of international security issues. This position will work with the Vice President of Analysis and the Managing Editor to coordinate the creative, editorial and technical implementation of digital content on The Cipher Brief.

Responsibilities include:

  • Manages editorial/news content of The Cipher Brief, which includes:
  • Oversight of TCB’s coverage of breaking news stories (with a strong understanding of urgency)
  • Day-to-day supervision of TCB editorial staff
  • Researching and writing editorial content for The Cipher Brief
  • Assist in management of expert commentator/contributor database
  • Ensure standards of editorial quality are met and meet all targets for content quantity and deadlines

Required Qualifications

  • 5-10 years of journalism – print, television, or radio -- experience
  • Proven news judgment/understanding of what makes compelling stories and what qualifies as major news
  • Demonstrated interest in and experience writing about international security issues – to include cyber security
  • Experience leading the creation of digital content (podcasts, video) a plus
  • Ability to think and work across platforms and adapt strategies to quickly take advantage of emerging technologies and platforms
  • Keen eye for detail and quality control
  • Demonstrated writing skills in the English language
  • Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism or related field
  • Fast, agile learner who can find a way to say ‘yes’

Sales-Sponsorship Internship

The Sales-Sponsorship Associate will be responsible for supporting the Director of Sponsor Engagement on all marketing, sales and sponsorship initiatives.  This position will assist with company research, contact management, event management, marketing writing, and social media strategy.  This individual should be prepared to work in a fast-paced, start up environment, and will finish the internship having gained broad experience in various aspects of sales and marketing. 

Job Responsibilities

  • Support the Director of Sponsor Engagement’s sales and marketing efforts 
  • Provide support to The Cipher Brief’s events
  • ID target companies with The Cipher Brief product and sponsor programs
  • Build TCB information and contact databases
  • Research Business Development opportunities

Job Requirements

  • Recent university graduate
  • Strong computer (specifically Microsoft Suite) skills and ability to be a quick study on new software required; familiarity with Mailchimp and Insightly preferred
  • Experience with Social Media
  • Interest in the security space is preferred
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills
  • Solid organizational abilities
  • Individual initiative and flexibility
  • Strong interpersonal skills and ability to represent The Cipher Brief 

Please send your resume and cover letter to careers@thecipherbrief.com.