Public Engagement & Events Director (Alexandria, VA)

This position is contingent upon contract award. While not an immediate opening, we are actively interviewing and extending offers in anticipation of award. 

The Company 

At ICF Next, we are driven by the opportunity to solve complex challenges that matter. Our teams combine expertise in communications, technology, analytics, and program management to help government clients tackle critical national priorities. We are fearless in exploring new ideas, relentless in delivering results for our clients, and committed to making a meaningful impact. We bring together strategists, creatives, technologists, analysts, and communicators to deliver integrated outreach and engagement solutions that strengthen mission-driven organizations. 

The Work 

ICF Next is seeking a Public Engagement & Events Director to support a high-profile federal government client focused on military and family support programs. This role will lead strategic outreach, stakeholder engagement, and event-based initiatives that support military service members, families, survivors, and caregivers across a broad portfolio of programs and services. 

This is a highly collaborative role operating within a fast-paced federal environment that requires close coordination with government stakeholders, communications teams, digital teams, and program leadership. The role supports integrated public engagement efforts through strategic planning, event execution, stakeholder coordination, and performance analysis to enhance awareness, participation, and audience engagement across multiple communication channels. 

The ideal candidate will bring experience managing high-visibility engagement initiatives, executing complex events, supporting community outreach activities, and advancing integrated communications efforts in a mission-driven environment. 

Job Location 

Onsite – Alexandria, VA. Work is performed onsite in support of a secure federal client environment in Alexandria, VA, as required by client and contract activities 

What You Will Do 

• Lead planning and execution of strategic public engagement and outreach initiatives aligned with program priorities and objectives 

• Manage in-person, virtual, and hybrid events, including stakeholder engagements, conferences, leadership forums, community outreach activities, and digital engagement initiatives 

• Support live and virtual engagement initiatives including webinars, leadership forums, digital events, social media live events, and stakeholder outreach activities 

• Coordinate closely with government stakeholders, external partners, and cross-functional teams to support integrated communications and engagement strategies 

• Oversee event planning timelines, logistics, deliverables, and stakeholder communications across multiple concurrent initiatives 

• Support leadership engagement activities through development of briefings, talking points, engagement materials, and event communications 

• Support community and public engagement initiatives designed to increase awareness, participation, and audience engagement across military community programs and services 

• Ensure outreach activities align with enterprise messaging, branding, accessibility standards, and communications objectives 

• Track engagement activities, milestones, and deliverables within structured workflow and task management environments 

• Analyze outreach, event, and audience engagement performance metrics and provide data-driven recommendations to improve reach, participation, and engagement effectiveness 

Basic Qualifications 

• Active Secret clearance required 

• Ability to work onsite in Alexandria, VA, as required by client and contract operations 

• U.S. citizenship required 

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, public affairs, marketing, event management, or related field 

• 8+ years of professional experience in public engagement, outreach, stakeholder relations, event management, or strategic communications 

Preferred Qualifications 

• Experience managing large-scale or high-visibility events and stakeholder engagement initiatives 

• Experience supporting a federal defense client or military community programs 

• Familiarity with digital engagement strategies, social media engagement, and virtual event platforms 

• Experience supporting executive-level stakeholder engagement and leadership communications 

• Familiarity with performance metrics, reporting, audience engagement analytics, and outreach optimization strategies 

Professional Skills 

• Strong organizational and project management skills 

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills 

• Strong stakeholder engagement and relationship management abilities 

• Ability to manage competing priorities and tight deadlines 

• Collaborative mindset with the ability to work across multidisciplinary teams 

• Strong attention to detail and ability to coordinate multiple concurrent outreach and engagement activities 

We can only solve the world's toughest challenges by building a workplace that allows everyone to thrive. We are an equal opportunity employer. Together, our employees are empowered to share their expertise and collaborate with others to achieve personal and professional goals. For more information, please read our EEO policy.

We will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Reasonable Accommodations are available, including, but not limited to, for disabled veterans, individuals with disabilities, and individuals with sincerely held religious beliefs, in all phases of the application and employment process. To request an accommodation, please email [email protected] and we will be happy to assist. All information you provide will be kept confidential and will be used only to the extent required to provide needed reasonable accommodations.  

Read more about workplace discrimination rights or our benefit offerings which are included in the Transparency in (Benefits) Coverage Act.