Job Opening: Web Development/IT Manager

JOB SUMMARY:

LeapFrog Solutions, a woman-owned small business, strategic marketing communications firm on a very fast growth track with the federal government, seeks a highly organized and experienced Web Development/IT Manager. Successful candidate will have expertise in information technology and website development, leadership, management, interpersonal and problem solving skills. This is a multi-faceted position requiring hands-on management, initiative, adaptability and excellent follow-through. The Web Development/IT Manager will have technical oversight of website development for a large federal government contract. This individual will oversee our web development partners and ensure deliverables meet client technical specifications. In addition, the Web Development/IT Manager will be responsible for managing all aspects of the company’s IT needs and is responsible for managing the IT service providers. The candidate must have a working knowledge of various programming languages and content management systems and be up to date with the latest Web, cloud, and desktop technologies.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

The following information has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employee in this position. It is not to be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this position.

• Participate in existing and prospective client meetings and prepare documentation of technical requirements and specifications.
• Work with web designers and programmers in the conceptualization and development of client websites, software programs and applications.
• Manage web development staff and IT service providers.
• Conduct research on emerging application development software products, languages, and standards in support of procurement and business development efforts.
• Interact with project management group to ensure accurate and comprehensive understanding of projects.
• Provide issue escalation and resolution as well as timely execution of deadlines.
• Conduct market and product research as needed for latest and most cost-effective IT solutions.
• Maintain project documentation.
• Manage IT budget.
• Recommend, schedule, and/or perform software improvements and upgrades on LFS internal work stations.
• Install software and hardware products for LFS internal users as required.
• Be available during off-hours in the event of critical network, hardware, or software issues that need immediate attention.

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE/QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s Degree in information technology, computer science, business administration, or a related field and/or 6 years equivalent work experience.
• Five or more years development experience with classic ASP, ASP.Net, PHP, HTML, SHTML, XML, VBScript, JavaScript, and other programming languages.
• Three or more years of experience with SQL Server 2000 / 2005 including designing database schemas, building and deploying databases, writing complex stored procedures, queries, and views.
• Government experience is preferred, but not required.
• Experience developing, installing, and training personnel on custom and/or off-the-shelf content management systems (CMS) for use by LFS clients.
• Flexible and adaptable in regards to learning and understanding new technologies.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Self-directed and proactive; thinks beyond the immediate problem.
• Flexibility, ability to change priorities quickly, and capacity to handle multiple tasks.
• Work directly with both internal and external resources to ensure timely completion of assigned deliverables.
• Ability to effectively prioritize and execute tasks in a high-pressure environment. Keen attention to detail.
• Proven analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Experience working both independently and in a team-oriented, collaborative environment.
• Hands-on experience, willingness, and ability to support detailed individual user IT needs.
• Prior security clearance
• Candidate must be able to pass background investigation

COMPENSATION:

Competitive and commensurate with experience. Relocation assistance is not offered for this position.

To apply for this position, please send a resume and cover letter to lfs_careers@leapfrogit.com with “Web Development/IT Manager” in the subject line.

LeapFrog Solutions, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. It is the policy of LeapFrog Solutions, Inc. to provide opportunities to all qualified persons without regard to race, creed, color, religious belief, sex, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, or veteran's status.

Job Opening: Account Manager

JOB SUMMARY:

LeapFrog Solutions, a woman-owned small business, strategic marketing communications firm on a fast growth track with the federal government, seeks an experienced, motivated and energetic Account Manager to join our account management team.

The Account Manager works with the team to manage numerous marketing communications projects for a large government client. Specifically, the Account Manager is responsible for providing daily direction to a marketing call center to ensure the delivery of a high quality customer service experience. The Account Manager will work with the call center and client to provide direction to call center representatives, conduct ongoing training regarding program changes, and work with our partners in developing new direct response creative pieces. The Account Manager will provide marketing updates, manage reports compiled by the call center, and process files for fulfillment.

The Account Manager will work with the team to identify appropriate industry conferences for the team to attend, provide presentations, and exhibit in the associated trade shows. Additionally, the Account Manager will work with an account coordinator to oversee conference registrations, booth and materials logistics, travel coordination, expenses and conference reports.

The Account Manager will work with the team and partners in assisting with public relations activities including writing and placing press releases, monitoring media, and conducting stakeholder outreach.

This position requires superior project management skills. The Account Manager must be a conscientious team player and a good organizer. This person must demonstrate excellent verbal and written communications skills, be an effective problem solver on a day-to-day basis, and be be adept at anticipating problems, and recognizing opportunities.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Following is the general nature and level of work to be performed.

· Project management for branding, web design, print design and public relations campaigns

· Workflow management (coordination of multiple project schedules with creative and development team and clients)

· Call center management and reporting

· Conference planning and support

· Public relations support

· Project management

a) Acts as the supporting role to a large government client as well as for other internal clients

b) Develops relationships with clients and working closely with them to learn their business and communication needs

c) Works closely with all agency department staff to develop and implement strategic project plans

d) Has a thorough understanding of the planning, creative and production processes

e) Proactively gathers the necessary information to plan and implement each client project

f) Provides timely issuance of all documentation: proposals, project initiations, creative briefs, estimates, timelines, meeting summaries, and status and budget reports

g) Manages time and financial resources to ensure client projects are on time and on budget

h) Handles/assists monthly billing and reconciliation of all projects for assigned clients; maintains ongoing accounting states reports for clients

i) Provides creative, production, media, public relations, and interactive department personnel with well-documented input, support data and production materials as required

j) Keeps appraised of all relevant client, industry and market developments

k) Liaises with research personnel and other non-creative freelance resources

l) Represents the client at industry functions – promotes the agency at every opportunity. Is fully familiar with client’s credentials and specialties

REQUIREMENTS:

• B.A./B.S. or equivalent experience
• 5-7 years of communications/marketing experience
• Project management experience
• Superior writing and verbal skills
• Experienced at managing internal and external teams
• Branding, print, Web, and advertising
• Excellent prior client management/relations experience
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite including Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, and Project (or similar project management tool)
• Prior experience with government and commercial accounts
• Multi-tasker, team player, personable and goal-driven
• Organized, attention to detail, deadlines, budgets
• Facilitating client project action items
• Create change actions for creative team; coordinate with designers on deadlines and edits; keep job folders current; proof and edit materials; using LFS internal processes and checklist, maintain daily client project workflow; communicate with client regarding task and project status; assist with the completion of rush jobs and unexpected deadlines
• Attend account manager’s meetings, LFS staff meeting, and others as requested
• Ability to work as a team player and independently in a fast-paced environment
• Maintain discretion when handling sensitive and confidential matters
• Ability to successfully pass a background investigation

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE/QUALIFICATIONS:

• Call center management and conference planning experience
• Public relations experience including press release writing and placement, media monitoring and stakeholder outreach
• Excellent prior client management/relations experience
• Multitasker, team player, personable and goal driven
• Attention to detail, deadlines and accounts
• Positive, can-do attitude, flexible and organized
• Commercial and government, especially federal, industry experience
• Prior security clearance desirable

COMPENSATION:

Competitive and commensurate with experience

Please send cover letter and resume to lfs_careers@leapfrogit.com and place “Account Manager” in subject header. This is a full time position.

LeapFrog Solutions, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. It is the policy of LeapFrog Solutions, Inc. to provide opportunities to all qualified persons without regard to race, creed, color, religious belief, sex, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, or veteran's status.

Job Opening: Account Coordinator

JOB SUMMARY:

LeapFrog Solutions, a woman-owned small business, strategic marketing communications firm on a fast growth track with the federal government, seeks an experienced, motivated and energetic Account Coordinator to join our account management team.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Following is the general nature and level of work to be performed.

Provides assistance to the account team in the day-to-day management of a large government account and develops the skills necessary to advance to the position of Account Executive.

Provides overall administrative support to the account management team with duties including:

· Client project support and coordination

· Support team with conference logistics and planning duties

· Support team with public relations tasks including research, media monitoring, writing, stakeholder outreach, issues management

· Support team with call center management and reporting

· Facilitate client project action items

· Research support

· General government contract support

· Attend creative team and Account Manager’s meetings, LFS staff and sales meetings, and others as requested

REQUIREMENTS:

• B.A./B.S. or equivalent experience
• 2-4 years of communications/marketing experience
• Project management experience
• Some familiarity with government agencies and contracting procedures
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications including Word, Excel, PPT and Outlook
• Ability to work as a team player and independently in a fast-paced environment
• Maintain discretion when handling sensitive and confidential matters

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE/QUALIFICATIONS:

• Marketing communications industry experience
• Some branding, print, web and multimedia production and management experience and understanding
• Excellent prior client management/relations experience
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite including Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, and Project (or similar project management tool)
• Multi-tasker, team player, personable and goal-driven
• Attention to detail, deadlines, accounts
• Positive, can-do attitude, flexible, organized
• Commercial and government, especially federal, industry experience

COMPENSATION:

Competitive and commensurate with experience

Please send cover letter and resume to lfs_careers@leapfrogit.com and place “Account Coordinator” in subject header. This is a full time position.

LeapFrog Solutions, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. It is the policy of LeapFrog Solutions, Inc. to provide opportunities to all qualified persons without regard to race, creed, color, religious belief, sex, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, or veteran's status.

Job Opening: Staff Accountant

JOB SUMMARY:

LeapFrog Solutions, a woman-owned small business, strategic marketing communications firm on a very fast growth track with the federal government, seeks to add an accountant with 5-8 years experience in the government and commercial environments.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

The following information has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employee in this position. It is not to be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this position.

• Working with accounting manager for all general ledger accounting
• Participate in and ensure posting of all month-end journal entries and transactions to QuickBooks, as well as all interim adjusting entries
• Ensure accounts receivable collections and posting of deposits while meeting DSO targets
• Posting of all accounts payable transactions, including credit card transactions.
• Perform account reconciliations
• Review and process employee expense reports to ensure compliance with company policy, proper account distribution, and mathematical accuracy
• Assist with administration of benefits, including assembly of census data, maintaining up to date personnel and payroll records, etc.
• Reorganization and maintenance of all company accounting files and records, non-client contracts, etc.
• Participate in annual budget process
• Capable of contributing to continuous process improvements

REQUIREMENTS:

· Bachelor’s Degree in accounting and/or 5 or more years equivalent work experience.

· Experience with general ledger accounting, accounts receivable and accounts payable

· Solid working knowledge of QuickBooks (recent versions), excellent Microsoft Excel skills and proficiency with Microsoft Word

· Ability to work with little guidance and take initiative to point out where efficiencies may be gained

· Maintain discretion and exercise sound judgment when handling sensitive and confidential matters

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS:

• Government contracting experience is highly desired, but not required
• Experience in small firm/agency
• Able to work both independently and in a team-oriented, collaborative environment
• Flexibility, adaptable to changing priorities, and capacity to effectively prioritize and execute multiple tasks
• Self-directed and proactive; thinks beyond the immediate problem
• Demonstrates client service attitude
• Proven analytical and problem-solving abilities

· Excellent written and oral communication skills

· High level of attention to detail and excellent follow through

• Flexible and adaptable in regards to learning and understanding new technologies

COMPENSATION:

Competitive and commensurate with experience.

To apply for this position, please send a resume and cover letter to lfs_careers@leapfrogit.com with “Staff Accountant” in the subject line. This is a full-time position.

LeapFrog Solutions, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. It is the policy of LeapFrog Solutions, Inc. to provide opportunities to all qualified persons without regard to race, creed, color, religious belief, sex, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental handicap, or veteran’s status.

Job Opening: Proposal Development Manager

JOB SUMMARY:

LeapFrog Solutions seeks an experienced, highly organized Proposal Development Manager with excellent leadership, management, interpersonal and problem solving skills. This is a multi-faceted position requiring hands-on new business support, initiative, adaptability and excellent follow through.

The Proposal Development Manager will be responsible for managing the all aspects of the company’s proposal-related activities for the full procurement lifecycle. Working with other staff, this position also contributes to the development and implementation of business development strategies, policies and procedures.

The primary responsibility of this position is to lead all company proposals and to ensure the highest standards in consistent, winning responsive bids. The responses are predominantly technical responses; knowledge of pricing structures is desirable.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Business Administration, or related field
• Eight + years of proposal development and related management experience; at least three years in federal contracting proposal management
• Excellent computer skills; proficient in Outlook, Word, Excel, and automated project management tool (e.g. MS Project)
• Track record of success in developing proposals according to federal, state, and local solicitations
• Track record of success in supporting marketing communications industry proposal and business development
• Demonstrated leadership in assuming full responsibility for all company proposals, through all development stages
• Experience using varied multiple award contract vehicles (e.g. GSA AIMS, GSA ITSS, SeaPort-e)
• Demonstrated commitment to high professional ethical standards and a diverse workplace
• An analytical mind and ability to analyze large amounts of information and data quickly
• Strong planning and decision-making skills to engage diverse individuals under tight time constraints
• Experience and ability to obtain additional resources (e.g. consultants) as needed
• Willingness to do hands-on support for all company bids and related new business opportunity responses

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience and/or interest in marketing, media and/or advertising industries and a passion and desire to grow the company and grow with the company
• Knowledge of pricing structures (FFP, T&M, cost plus, and combinations)
• Strong leadership skills to train, mentor, provide work guidance, coordinate, oversee and lead company staff
• Good interpersonal skills working with staff and potential customers
• Solid capacity to look at situations from several points of view; flexibility
• Experience working in a small firm/agency setting
• High comfort level working in a matrixed environment; strength under pressure

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assume overall leadership and predominantly hands-on support for company document responses to new business opportunities (e.g. responses to sources sought notices, solicitations, and all phases of related marketing responses and proposal development)
• Direct hands-on proposal development from qualification stage through market research, and straw man proposal development, engaging appropriate staff, and fully developing and enforcing consistently high quality standards in production and final product:
• Qualification of bid opportunity
• Market research including using resource tools (i.e. FedMine, GSA E-Buy, FedBizOpps, E-VA, E-MD)
• Engage appropriate staff for input and support
• Outline proposal and develop compliance matrix; enforce compliant response
• Facilitate kick-off with win theme development and other strategies
• Develop production schedule
• Write sections (i.e. boilerplate)
• Organize and leading all review stages (pink, red, green, gold)
• Final editing and production of document – hard and electronic copies
• Take charge of all volume development including business/costing; contribute to costing
• Develop other responses to opportunities (e.g. oral presentation slides)
• Refine and update proposal development procedures, template, tools, and techniques
• Maintain complete files and records of proposal related materials and final products
• Grow the proposal development capabilities as the company grows

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

Market and Opportunity Research

• Investigate all information related to a new business opportunity

Proposal Development Management

• Do document production including development in Word, integration of graphics and other input (e.g. photos), final production including quality control, and delivery
• Take all steps necessary to produce substantial winning response to solicitations
• Establish budgets for proposals (B&P) and for overall proposal development
• Manage proposals and department to budgets; often multiple simultaneous proposals
• Maintain timelines and enforce deadlines and high quality standards
• Ensure full compliance of product with solicitation

Corporate Support

• Contribute to marketing planning and strategy; support corporate strategic initiatives
• Manage and coach staff in consistent high quality responsive proposal development

COMPENSATION:

Competitive and commensurate with experience

To apply for this position, please send a resume and cover letter to the above address, or email LFS_careers@leapfrogit.com with “Proposal Development Manager” in the subject line.

LeapFrog Solutions, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. It is the policy of LeapFrog Solutions, Inc. to provide opportunities to all qualified persons without regard to race, creed, color, religious belief, sex, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, or veteran's status.

Position Open: Executive Assistant/Sales Coordinator

JOB SUMMARY:

LeapFrog Solutions, a woman-owned small business, strategic marketing communications firm on a fast growth track with the federal government, seeks an experienced, motivated and energetic Executive Assistant/Sales Coordinator to support the CEO in maximizing her ability to operate efficiently and swiftly, especially in areas of networking, business development and meeting follow-through.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Following is a general description of the desired outcomes of the position.

Achieve 100% follow-up on all meetings CEO attends.

• Follow-up includes documenting notes from the meeting, documenting action items from the meeting, sending thank-you notes/emails; entering any new contact information, etc.
• Fully prepare CEO for every meeting she attends.
• This includes creating folders for all meetings, Google research on any meeting participants, etc.
• Meet with CEO every Monday morning to go over a weekly checklist that you have prepared.
• Attend weekly internal sales meeting with CEO. Take notes of all action items. Follow-up to make sure action items are completed.
• Coordinate all of CEO’s networking events including planning the meetings.
• ACT-IAC (Industry Advisory Council)
• ELI Mentor Program (Emerging Leaders Institute, part of Leadership Fairfax)
• Executive Women’s Roundtable
• ACG Capital
• AFCEA
• Manage all of CEO’s Board Participation
• NVTC – review all events and make recommendations as to which she should attend.
• Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce
• Communites in Schools
• Quarterly NVCC Marketing Advisory Committee
• Quarterly Industry Government Council
• Manage all Sales Leads
• Add leads to the contact management system (currently ACT!)
• Add leads to LinkedIn
• Add leads to Outlook
• Track leads and remind CEO of time sensitive items and follow up
• Clean out CEO’s email box within two months of starting the job. After that, manage her to fewer than 20 emails in her in-box at the end of each day.
• Manage a monthly update of the corporate goal sheet for 2011 and 2012. Update the person responsible, dates and make notes regarding any gap between goal and performance.
• Assist CEO with using Tasks feature in Outlook, and have her 95% off hand-written, paper to-do lists by December 31, 2011.
• Assist CEO in identifying speaking engagements. By December 31, 2011 have identified six speaking engagements for her to consider. Once engaged as a speaker, help her prepare for the speaking engagements.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Technologically Savvy: Is an expert or close to an expert in Outlook. Is not afraid of technology and finding solutions to technical problems.
• Efficiency: Able to produce significant output with minimal wasted effort.
• Organization and Planning Skills: Plans, organizes and schedules in an efficient, productive manner. Focuses on key priorities. Is able to put systems in place.
• Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and articulately without being overly verbose or talkative. Comfortable speaking directly to company management, press or customers.
• Writing and Editing Skills. Strong grammatical skills and ability to write and edit copy and correspondence.
• Flexibility/Adaptability. Adjusts quickly to changing priorities and conditions. Copes effectively with complexity and change, and maintains a positive attitude.
• Intelligence: Learns quickly and has business acumen. Demonstrates ability to quickly and proficiently understand and absorb new information.
• Persistence: Demonstrates tenacity and willingness to go the distance to get something done. Takes direction and runs with it.
• Calm Under Pressure: Maintains stable performance when under heavy pressure or stress.
• Work Ethic: Possesses a strong willingness to work hard and sometimes long hours to get the job done.
• Openness to Feedback and Ideas: Often solicits feedback and reacts calmly to criticism or negative feedback.
• Integrity: Recognizes that in this position, there is visibility to highly confidential information and realizes, even without being told, that it is not to be shared with anyone.
• Customer Service: Has had experience in some type of customer service and innately knows how to listen to customers and make them feel heard and cared for.
• Marketing/Sales: Though not a salesperson, has a love of marketing/PR and understands the importance of networking.

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing and Business Administration or related field
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team

COMPENSATION:

Competitive and commensurate with experience

Please send cover letter and resume to lfs_careers@leapfrogit.com and place “Executive Assistant /Sales Coordinator” in subject header. This is a full time position.

LeapFrog Solutions, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. It is the policy of LeapFrog Solutions, Inc. to provide opportunities to all qualified persons without regard to race, creed, color, religious belief, sex, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, or veteran's status.

Hop To It: Taking Shortcuts Is a Good Thing

By Michael Choi

Consider this: We each live an average of 75 years, or about 657,000 hours. After the age of 10, we spend an average of 8 hours a day (or night) sleeping. That comes to 189,000 hours — or more than 21 years — in the sack. We spend another 2 hours a day eating, which works out to 47,450 hours — or 5 years, 5 months — at the table. We dedicate another hour a day to showering, drying, shaving, brushing, combing, and dressing before stepping out the door for a total of 27,375 hours — or more than 3 years — primping, plucking and preening. To top it off, between the ages of 22 and 65, we work an average of 40 hours a week, which comes out to about 82,560 hours — if we exclude vacations, holidays and sick days — or roughly 9 years, 5 months behind a desk, at the computer and in meetings.

Add it all up, and it comes to roughly 41 years — or more than half our lives — sleeping, eating, getting ready for work and working, which doesn't leave much time to mow the lawn, walk the dog, take the kids to soccer or play video games.

No wonder we're so frazzled!

The good news is that by taking a few shortcuts here and there, we can cut the time of mandatory tasks and increase our time available for beneficial pursuits (see "playing video games"). Best of all, you can apply these shortcuts now, just by spending less time with our little buddy known as the mouse and getting more acquainted with the computer keyboard.

To read the rest, CLICK HERE

We Have Been Practicing Our Singing Around Here!

Not one, but two birthdays recently!

In July we celebrated the birthday of our Founder and CEO Lisa Martin!

And yesterday we sang our lungs out for Richard, our President's birthday!

A GIANT Happy Birthday to ALL!!!!!!!!!