Associate

Crosscut Strategies; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 50,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employer-matched 401(k) plan

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Paid time off and sick leave

Paid parental leave

Job summary

A strategic communications firm in Washington, DC is seeking a talented associate to support communications initiatives for high-growth clients in various sectors. This entry-level position offers a chance to work closely with senior leaders while developing crucial skills in media relations and strategic communications. Candidates should be detail-oriented, highly motivated, and possess strong writing abilities. Benefits include a competitive salary, a 401(k) plan, and flexible work arrangements.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated interest or initial experience in journalism, media, communications, or campaigns.
• Must be inquisitive and motivated with the ability to write quickly and well.
• Prior work experience in communications or political campaigns preferred.

Responsibilities

• Draft and edit communications documents.
• Build press lists and pitch reporters.
• Research issues and distill findings into clear memos.

Skills

Excellent writing and editing skills

Strong organizational abilities

Ability to multitask

Experience with social media

Critical thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree in a related field

Tools

Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

Overview

Crosscut Strategies — a Washington DC-based strategic communications firm working primarily with high-growth start-ups in tech, health care, and other complex sectors — is looking for a talented communicator with experience in politics, policy, communications, and/or technology, to join our team. This is a great entry-level opportunity to build your skills as you work closely with our senior leadership to develop and implement communications programs, and promote our clients’ initiatives to the media and other stakeholders.

The ideal associate candidate will have demonstrated interest or initial experience in journalism, media, communications, or campaigns. You need to be inquisitive, motivated, smart, and be able to write quickly and well. Our associates are key members of the team, and work closely with managers and directors. They must be problem solvers, able to multitask, and have excellent judgment.

Responsibilities

• Drafting and editing press releases, fact sheets, talking points, presentations, strategy memos, and other communications documents.
• Building press lists and pitching reporters to generate media coverage of events, reports, or other client initiatives.
• Researching issues, policy developments, and media coverage of targeted topics, and distilling this research into clear, concise memos and reports for clients.
• Proposing creative ideas for helping clients achieve their goals.
• Monitoring media coverage to identify opportunities and potential risks for clients.
• Participating in new business development, including research and proposal preparation.
• Coordinating meetings, calls, and project timelines for clients.

Qualifications

• Required Skills and Qualifications
• Excellent writing and editing skills.
• Strong organizational abilities, critical thinking, and attention to detail. Highly self-motivated.
• Ability to multitask, work quickly to meet deadlines, and manage multiple assignments at once.
• Advanced proficiency with creating, editing, and formatting professional-quality documents in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Experience with social media, preferably experience using social media to reach target audiences.
• Prior work, internship, or volunteer experience in communications, political campaigns, marketing, or issue advocacy.
• We also consider outstanding recent college graduates who have work experience in an unrelated field and a demonstrated interest in communications.

Preferred Skills

• 1-2 years of experience working with traditional media, writing materials for public distribution, conducting policy and media research, and coordinating media events.
• Familiarity with and/or interest in health care, energy, technology, financial services, and related issues.
• Experience with Agentic AI.
• Interest in public policy and familiarity with federal and/or state policymaking processes.

Education

• Bachelor's degree in a related field (or a creative case as to how your major relates to this role).

Crosscut operates as a hybrid workplace with an office in the heart of the Dupont/Farragut North area that has easy access to Metro, buses, and bikeshare. While employees are not required to come into the office every day, we are expected to come on set days, and must live within the DC-metro area to be available for meetings and collaborations that occur in-person.

Compensation and Benefits

The annual salary range for the associate position is $50,000 to $55,000 with a comprehensive benefits package, great team, and a working environment committed to fostering staff growth and leadership. Employee benefits include an employer-matched 401(k) plan with immediate vesting, medical, dental and vision insurance for employees and eligible dependents, paid time off and sick leave, and paid parental leave.

Interested candidates should send a cover email and resume to [e-mail]. Crosscut Strategies is an Equal Opportunity Employer.