Associate Director, Media Relations & Strategic Communications

Atlantic Council; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 72,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

Health insurance

Paid time off

Job summary

Atlantic Council in Washington, DC seeks an entrepreneurial Associate Director to lead proactive media relations and strategic communications, elevating experts and research through targeted outreach, rapid-response pitches, and integrated campaigns. This role reports to the Director of Strategic Communications and collaborates across programs, centers, Editorial, Social Media, and Events.

The ideal candidate is a strong writer with newsroom instincts, able to manage deadlines and translate

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, public relations, international relations, political science, public policy, or related field.
• Approximately 3–6 years of relevant experience in media relations, journalism, strategic communications, public affairs, or related field.
• Demonstrated understanding of national and international media landscape across print, digital, broadcast, and podcasts.
• Proven ability to develop clear media angles and translate complex policy issues into timely pitches.
• Strong writing, editing, and communication skills with attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Lead media promotion for events, coordinating with programs, Events, and other teams.
• Develop and execute media outreach, identify reporters, draft pitches, and manage follow-up.
• Support press RSVPs, media logistics, and reporter outreach.
• Use media databases to build targeted reporter lists by beat, geography, and issue area.
• Provide media trainings for programs and staff to prep experts for interviews.
• Draft invitations, briefing materials, and follow-up notes for reporter engagement.

Skills

Media relations

Strategic communications

Media pitching

Writing/editing

Project management

Reporter relationships

Education

Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, public relations, international relations, political science, public policy, or related field

Job description

Associate Director, Media Relations & Strategic Communications

Job Location:Atlantic Council Headquarters – Washington, DC
Employment Type:Full-Time
Seniority Level:Associate
Job Category:Staff

Overview

The Atlantic Council seeks an entrepreneurial, highly organized, and media-savvy Associate Director to help drive a more proactive, strategic Media Relations function in a fast‑paced global policy environment. The Associate Director will play a central role in elevating the Atlantic Council’s experts, research, events, and institutional priorities through strategic media outreach, rapid‑response communications, reporter relationship‑building, and integrated campaign execution.

The Associate Director will report to the Director of Strategic Communications and work closely with programs and centers across the Council, as well as colleagues in Editorial, Social Media, Digital, Marketing, Events, and the Executive Office. This role is designed for a strong writer and editor, as well as a proactive communicator.

The ideal candidate has excellent news judgment, strong organizational skills, and experience working with journalists or in a communications environment. This person should be able to manage multiple deadlines, translate complex policy work into clear media pitches, coordinate across teams, and help ensure the Atlantic Council’s experts and analysis are visible in relevant news conversations.

This position is based in our Washington, DC headquarters and requires a minimum of 4 days per week in office. The Atlantic Council offers a competitive compensation package commensurate with experience, education, and organizational equity, with offers from $72,000 to $85,000. Applications submitted by July 24, 2026, will be prioritized for consideration.

Job Responsibilities

General Event Media Promotion

• Lead media promotion for general Atlantic Council events, coordinating with programs and centers, Events, Marketing, Digital, and other relevant teams.
• Develop and execute media outreach plans for events, including identifying target reporters, drafting pitches, and managing follow‑up.
• Work with the team’s Program Assistant to support press RSVPs, media logistics, and targeted reporter outreach.
• Use Muck Rack and other tools to send targeted, informal press invitations where appropriate.
• Support event‑related media follow‑up, including sharing recordings, transcripts, photos, key quotes, and interview opportunities with interested reporters.

Rapid Response Products

• Build and send Experts React, Fast Thinking, Tip Sheets, and related rapid‑response media products.
• Coordinate with Editorial and programs and centers to ensure rapid‑response products are accurate, timely, and connected to the news cycle.
• Identify relevant media targets for rapid response outreach and tailor distribution lists accordingly.
• Track rapid response outreach and follow up with journalists as appropriate.

Publication Promotion

• Work with programs and centers to identify the strongest media angles, expert voices, potential embargoes, and target audiences for reports, issue briefs, short‑form analysis, and other publications.
• Promote long‑form and short‑form Atlantic Council publications through targeted media outreach, in coordination with the Program Assistant.
• Track outreach, reporter engagement, and resulting coverage for priority publications.

Coordination with Programs and Centers

• Support the Director in coordinating with programs and centers on priority media efforts.
• Help programs and centers understand media outreach timelines, materials needed, reporter targets, and expert availability requirements.

Media Lists and Reporter Targeting

• Lead the development and maintenance of targeted media lists for events, publications, rapid‑response products, and other outreach, in coordination with the team’s Program Assistant.
• Use Muck Rack and other media databases to identify relevant reporters, editors, producers, bookers, and outlets and to build lists by beat, geography, outlet type, and issue area to support more precise outreach.
• Maintain awareness of reporter moves, beat changes, and emerging media targets relevant to Atlantic Council priorities.

Media Trainings and Expert Preparation

• Provide media trainings for Atlantic Council programs, centers, fellows, and staff to prepare experts for interviews, press calls, panels, and other media‑facing opportunities.
• Advise programs and centers on basic media engagement best practices, including responsiveness, message discipline, and interview preparation.
• Coordinate with the Director on high‑profile or sensitive interview preparation.

Reporter Engagement and Relationship‑Building

• Help manage and triage the Media Relations press inbox, routing reporter inquiries to the appropriate experts or internal teams, tracking follow‑up, and escalating sensitive or high‑priority requests to the Director as needed.
• Support the Director in organizing reporter meet‑and‑greets, roundtables, and other relationship‑building opportunities.
• Help identify reporters, editors, producers, and bookers who should be prioritized for engagement.
• Draft invitations, briefing materials, and follow‑up notes for reporter engagement activities.

Daily Media Opportunities

• Track daily media opportunities, identifying news developments, potential experts to pitch, and relevant reporter targets.
• Monitor major news developments and identify where Atlantic Council experts, publications, or events may be relevant.
• Share timely recommendations with the Director and team on possible outreach opportunities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, public relations, international relations, political science, public policy, or a related field.
• Approximately 3–6 years of relevant experience in media relations, journalism, strategic communications, public affairs, public policy communications, or a related field.
• Demonstrated understanding of the national and international media landscape, including print, digital, broadcast, podcasts, newsletters, and opinion media.
• Proven ability to develop clear media angles and translate complex policy issues into timely, journalist‑friendly pitches.
• Strong writing, editing, and communication skills, with excellent attention to detail and sound editorial judgment.
• Experience pitching reporters, producers, bookers, editors, or opinion editors.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, deadlines, and stakeholders in a fast‑paced environment.
• Strong news judgment and ability to identify when Atlantic Council experts can contribute meaningfully to breaking or emerging stories.
• Familiarity with media relations tools such as Muck Rack, Cision, Meltwater, HubSpot, Brand24, Monday.com, or similar platforms preferred.
• Experience with event media promotion, press calls, reporter briefings, or publication launches preferred.
• Experience preparing experts, executives, or principals for interviews preferred.
• Demonstrated interest in international affairs, foreign policy, national security, economics, technology, democracy, or global policy issues.
• Collaborative working style, strong interpersonal skills, and ability to work effectively across teams and with senior stakeholders.
• Ability to exercise discretion and sound judgment when handling sensitive, reputational, or high‑profile media matters.

To produce quality work and to successfully achieve our mission, we recognize the need for our staff to maintain a healthy lifestyle and a work/life balance. Our comprehensive benefits package helps to keep costs low for our staff and their families. Benefits include, but are not limited to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance, paid time off, 403(b) plan, FSA options, pet insurance, Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligibility, and wellness benefits.

Please note: The Atlantic Council is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of any classification protected by law, including but not limited to those protected characteristics covered by the DC Human Rights Act, including age, skin color, credit information, disability, family responsibilities, familial status, gender identity & expression, genetic information, homeless status, marital status, matriculation, national origin, personal appearance, place of residence or business, political affiliation, race, religion, seal eviction record, sex, sexual orientation, source of income, status as a victim or family member of a victim of DVSOS, or status as a victim of an intrafamily offense. The Atlantic Council is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation for all qualified individuals and bases all employment decisions on qualifications, merit, and business need. For more information, please connect with us [e-mail] . Eligibility to work in the United States is confirmed with E-Verify; employment at the Atlantic Council is eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF).