Publications Associate

About the Role

Business Executives for National Security (BENS) is seeking a Publications Associate to manage the pipeline of its written products. The role involves shaping member expertise into polished written pieces, coordinating review, and overseeing publication and distribution. The role reports to the head of the Office of External Affairs.

Key Responsibilities

Writing, Member Contribution Management & Editorial Support (70%)

• Serve as BENS primary writer and editor for all publications, managing correspondence from initial idea through final publication.
• Draft, substantively edit, assist with research, and copyedit member-contributed content, ensuring alignment with BENS' four core campaigns: Strengthening Supply Chains, Homeland Resilience and Response, Mobilizing Private Capital, and Geopolitics and Economics.
• Conduct research and fact-checking, maintaining AP style consistency and managing the final approval process.
• Identify content opportunities from events (roundtables, dinners, briefings) by reviewing recordings, transcripts, and notes.
• Build a library of engagement-derived content for repurposing across various formats.
• Apply basic SEO practices to improve search visibility.
• Coordinate with Communications staff on social media content and the editorial calendar.
• Prepare member amplification packages for sharing published work.

Other Written and Digital Products (External Media Placement Writing, Reports, Speeches & Special Products) (10%)

• Draft and adapt member-derived content for potential placement in national and local media outlets.
• Work with staff to identify strong candidates for external placement and develop outlet-ready drafts.
• Draft or assist in drafting public-facing reports and special products documenting BENS delegations, engagements, and initiatives.
• Draft and edit remarks, talking points, and prepared speeches for BENS leadership.

Website, Internal Communications & Content Management Support (10%)

• Ensure published content is properly categorized, tagged, and cross-linked on the website for navigation and SEO.
• Monitor BENS external-facing properties and publications for stale content.
• Support internal communications needs, including drafting member invitations, recruitment copy, announcements, and internal briefings.
• Assist with broader website content management needs beyond publications.

Content Operations & Cross-Team Support (10%)

• Maintain the publications editorial calendar and track content progress.
• Periodically assist with social media content needs.
• Identify opportunities to cross-reference and hyperlink published pieces to relevant partner or stakeholder work.
• Assist with maintaining accurate publications-related data in the CRM (Zoho).

Qualifications

• Exceptional writing and substantive editing skills, with strong command of grammar, structure, and voice across formats.
• Copyediting and fact-checking experience; comfort applying a house style guide (AP style).
• Research skills and literacy in national security/policy to translate technical material into accessible prose.
• Experience or strong interest in writing for external media placement.
• Interest in or exposure to speechwriting, or ability to write persuasively in another's voice.
• Experience managing multiple priorities, drafts, deadlines, and stakeholders simultaneously.
• Familiarity with web publishing/CMS platforms and newsletter or Substack production.
• Basic SEO and distribution awareness.
• Comfort with social media platforms (particularly LinkedIn).
• Eagerness to contribute to a team-focused environment and willingness to learn about business and national security.
• High attention to detail and strong follow-through.
• An interest in or understanding of the U.S. national security enterprise is advantageous.
• Two writing samples required (500-750 words each, any topic, prior work academic or professional).

Hybrid in Washington, D.C., but fully remote considered for strong candidates.

Applications will be considered through November 2, 2026.