Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Interests
Work Availability
Timeline
Hi, I’m

Jill Thomas

Director of Communications
Bethesda,MD
Jill Thomas

Summary

Strategic communications leader with 15+ years of experience crafting and executing impactful, multi-platform communication strategies. Proven ability to build and lead high-performing teams, manage media relations, and develop compelling narratives that drive engagement and advance organizational missions. Expertise in brand management, digital content strategy, and internal communications, with a strong track record of establishing and enforcing brand guidelines, voice, tone, and editorial standards. Skilled spokesperson and executive advisor with a talent for translating complex ideas into clear, accessible messaging.

Overview

20
years of professional experience

Work History

National Institute of Justice

Director of Communications
01.2023 - Current

Job overview

  • Developed and executed strategic communications plans to advance the organization's mission, collaborating with leadership on key initiatives.
  • Built and led a high-performing communications team, mentoring junior staff for professional growth.
  • Established and enforced brand guidelines, ensuring consistency across digital platforms, publications, and press materials.
  • Served as organizational spokesperson, managing media relations and public representation.
  • Oversaw messaging strategy, design services, stakeholder outreach, video production, and social media efforts.
  • Created and implemented communications plans for major events, including the agency's first national conference in over a decade.
  • Launched a storytelling initiative to humanize the organization's work, making research and policy more relatable and impactful.
  • Established KPIs and analytics tracking to measure and improve communications effectiveness.
  • Directed all external communications, including press releases, talking points, web content, social media, videos, policy briefs, and research reports.
  • Developed and maintained internal branding guidelines and a style guide to ensure consistent messaging.
  • Enhanced brand identity with visual design standards that improved clarity and audience engagement.
  • Strengthened social media presence with tailored content strategies, increasing audience engagement.
  • Led a rebranding initiative to align visual identity with company values and strategic goals.
  • Optimized email marketing campaigns to improve open rates, click-throughs, and conversions.
  • Implemented data-driven processes to track ROI, enabling continuous improvement in communications tactics.

National Human Genome Research Institute

Lead Writer-Editor
08.2020 - 01.2023

Job overview

  • Led a multi-disciplinary team of writers, designers, videographers, and animators, managing assignments and deadlines.
  • Developed and maintained editorial style guide and brand standards, ensuring consistent voice and tone across all communications.
  • Led website redesign initiative, optimizing UX, accessibility, SEO, and brand consistency.
  • Created training materials and workshops on brand voice, style guide implementation, and writing best practices.
  • Oversaw content strategy, managing production calendars, analytics tracking, and KPIs to drive engagement.
  • Spearheaded internal communications initiatives, fostering collaboration and morale among staff.
  • Edited and proofread diverse materials, providing substantive feedback on content clarity, structure, and audience alignment.
  • Developed digital content strategy and improved asset management systems for efficiency.
  • Established and implemented editorial workflows and submission processes to enhance productivity.
  • Managed press releases and multi-channel communications materials.
  • Collaborated with designers to create visually compelling materials that simplified complex scientific concepts.
  • Conducted editorial meetings, briefed senior leadership, and delivered presentations on branding and communication best practices.
  • Implemented and managed a ticketing system for incoming communications requests, analyzing data to refine strategy.
  • Led planning for major projects and events, including a glossary of 250+ scientific terms and symposia; received an NIH Director's Award.
  • Served as 508 coordinator, developing accessibility training and materials.
  • Transitioned team from Slack to Microsoft Teams, optimizing file storage and contingency planning.
  • Provided editorial guidance to senior leadership, including reviewing complex scientific publications for a general audience.
  • Drafted and updated SOPs, policies, and contingency plans to ensure seamless workflow.

Office of Community Oriented Policing Services

Federal Program Manager / Managing Editor (full-time detail)
03.2020 - 12.2020

Job overview

  • Managed production calendar for a high-profile national report, ensuring timely delivery to the Attorney General and President.
  • Directed report development, ensuring fairness, clarity, and compliance with quality and regulatory standards.
  • Led a team of five writers, assigning tasks and meeting stringent deadlines.
  • Established and maintained style guide and annotated outline template for consistency.
  • Conducted all-staff and individual meetings with federal program managers to provide guidance, resolve conflicts, and ensure alignment.
  • Participated in leadership meetings, advising on milestones and content priorities.
  • Edited a 300+ page report through multiple phases, reducing chapters from 60+ pages to 20, standardizing content, and ensuring citation accuracy.
  • Oversaw final report design and layout.
  • Successfully transitioned from in-person to remote operations within two weeks due to COVID-19 while maintaining deadlines.
  • Managed cross-functional teams for successful project completion within deadlines and budgets.
  • Identified program obstacles and communicated possible impacts to team.
  • Met with project stakeholders on regular basis to assess progress and make adjustments.
  • Defined clear targets and objectives and communicated to other team members.

Bureau of Justice Statistics

Lead Technical Writer-Editor
10.2008 - 08.2020

Job overview

  • Assigned and managed projects for seven writer-editors and designers, balancing workloads and ensuring milestones were met.
  • Oversaw editorial process for statistical reports and solicitations from intake to release, ensuring accuracy, version control, and plain language compliance.
  • Reviewed and revised content from statisticians and editors for accuracy, coherence, and adherence to style and logic.
  • Managed production from draft to final release, ensuring accuracy of content, tables, and graphs while maintaining strong layout practices.
  • Developed a SharePoint-based tracking system in collaboration with IT for publication management.
  • Served as contract manager for marketing and communications contracts, overseeing budgets and evaluating proposals for new contracts.
  • Maintained and enforced style guides, SOPs, and training documents for print and web content.
  • Ensured all products met publishing standards, including 508-compliance, formatting, and style consistency.
  • Provided detailed feedback to statisticians, leadership, and editorial staff to resolve issues and meet publication deadlines.
  • Drafted and reviewed high-level communications, including memos, press releases, newsletters, and social media.
  • Managed publication calendar and provided weekly status updates to leadership.
  • Conducted pre- and post-release content reviews to ensure accuracy and relevance.
  • Worked with Office of Justice Programs communications staff to refine publication processes, establish branding guidelines, and develop an agency-wide style guide.

United BioSource Corporation

Communications Assistant
07.2006 - 10.2008

Job overview

  • Handled routine inquiries via email or phone calls promptly while demonstrating excellent customer service skills.
  • Prepared, organized and managed project schedules to produce deliverables and meet deadlines.
  • Streamlined internal communications processes for increased efficiency and employee satisfaction.
  • Provided administrative support to senior researchers, ensuring smooth project management and execution.
  • Managed multiple competing priorities simultaneously within tight deadlines without sacrificing attention to detail or quality.
  • Supported the development of marketing materials, ensuring consistency in messaging and tone across platforms.
  • Participated in brainstorming sessions with creative teams on various projects that led to improved message delivery among target audiences.
  • Developed and managed relationships with key constituencies to develop knowledge of business priorities and accomplishments to strategically position and promote company excellence.
  • Implemented policies and guidelines that governed content accuracy and branding standards.
  • Established goals and metrics for projects and tracked project progress and impacts.
  • Enhanced publication quality by diligently proofreading and editing deliverables for grammar, spelling, and consistency.
  • Developed style guides and editorial processes to maintain a consistent voice across all published materials.

Missouri State University

Composition and Creative Writing Instructor
01.2005 - 05.2006

Job overview

  • Improved students' writing skills through personalized feedback, constructive criticism, and tailored exercises.
  • Increased student motivation and self-confidence in their creative abilities through encouragement and recognition of individual achievements.
  • Provided guidance on how to effectively edit and revise work, resulting in polished final drafts ready for submission or publication.
  • Designed innovative lesson plans incorporating various writing styles and techniques for effective learning outcomes.
  • Managed student progress, providing timely feedback on assignments to promote continuous improvement in their writing skills.
  • Evaluated and graded students' essays, projects and exams.
  • Developed and implemented course materials, lecture notes and assignments.
  • Led classroom discussions to encourage students to analyze literature critically.
  • Employed visual and auditory approaches to make lessons more interesting and interactive for students.
  • Facilitated group discussions to explore works of literature.

Education

Missouri State University
Springfield, MO

Master of Arts from English Literature
08.2004 - 05.2006

University Overview

Missouri State University
Springfield, MO

Bachelor of Arts from English
08.2000 - 05.2004

University Overview

  • summa cum laude graduate

Skills

  • Strategic Communications Planning
  • Brand Identity & Voice Management
  • Editorial Standards Implementation
  • Team Leadership & Development
  • Content Creation & Editorial Direction
  • Digital Strategy & Social Media Management
  • Cross-Departmental Collaboration
  • Communications Analytics & KPIs
  • Executive Communications Support
  • Contemporary Art & Design Knowledge
  • Project Management & Implementation
  • Website Development & Oversight

Interests


  • Avid Reader
  • Wannabe Baker
  • Maker of Crochet Animals
Availability
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Timeline

Director of Communications
National Institute of Justice
01.2023 - Current
Lead Writer-Editor
National Human Genome Research Institute
08.2020 - 01.2023
Federal Program Manager / Managing Editor (full-time detail)
Office of Community Oriented Policing Services
03.2020 - 12.2020
Lead Technical Writer-Editor
Bureau of Justice Statistics
10.2008 - 08.2020
Communications Assistant
United BioSource Corporation
07.2006 - 10.2008
Composition and Creative Writing Instructor
Missouri State University
01.2005 - 05.2006
Missouri State University
Master of Arts from English Literature
08.2004 - 05.2006
Missouri State University
Bachelor of Arts from English
08.2000 - 05.2004

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Jill ThomasDirector of Communications