Associate Director, Public & Corporate Affairs Agency Development

The Washington Post; United States; On-site; USD 150,000 - 278,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision coverage

Pension and 401(k) match

Vacation and holidays

Parental leave

Mental health resources

Caregiver services

Subsidized subscription to The Post

Job summary

The Washington Post is seeking a senior leader for its Global Advertising team to cultivate trusted relationships across public and corporate affairs in Washington and beyond. You will drive multi‑million‑dollar campaigns, partner with client teams, and lead growth across digital, print, and live events.

With 8+ years in DC media sales and a robust network, you will mentor a high‑performing team, translate market insights into opportunities, and represent The Post at key meetings and industry

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in media sales within DC and the public affairs category.
• Extensive network of senior client and agency relationships within DC.
• Experience working across multi-million-dollar client accounts and scaling the business within that account.
• Ability to travel to client locations when in-person meetings are appropriate.
• Strong presentation and in-person sales skills with proven client/agency relationship success.
• Knowledge of the digital media market and ability to respond to market direction and competition.
• Ability to establish rapport, credibility, and sell ideas to senior management.
• Desire to manage a team through the entire sales process and collaboration across teams.
• Bachelor’s degree and experience selling integrated campaigns across digital, print, content, events, audio, and social.
• Open to working on-site five days a week.

Responsibilities

• Lead efforts to cultivate deep, trusted relationships across public/corporate affairs and advocacy agencies.
• Scale spend by agency and identify opportunities for growth with client teams.
• Represent The Washington Post at client meetings, events, and thought-leadership forums.
• Partner with strategy, creative, and operations to design and sell integrated campaigns.
• Anticipate trends and advise on opportunities where Post platforms offer competitive advantage.
• Report on team performance, forecasting, and pipeline health with precision.

Skills

Media sales leadership

DC/public affairs network

Senior client relationships

Multi-million dollar accounts

Travel willingness

High-impact presentation

Digital, print, campaigns

Team leadership

Revenue growth

Strategic collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Job description

About Our Team

The Washington Post is powered by the passion and talent of our people. It takes all of us to reinvent news. Beyond our award-winning News and Opinions teams, we work across many departments, including Brand & Events, Communications, Customer Care, Engineering & Product, Finance, Human Resources, Legal, Marketing & Advertising, Print Operations, and Sales.

Why This Role Matters

The Washington Post continues to lead in breaking news and analysis across every category where our editorial and product investments have positioned us at the intersection of innovation and influence. Within the Global Advertising team, we combine technology, creativity, and storytelling to deliver advertising solutions that drive measurable impact for our partners. We seek a dynamic senior leader with extensive experience within the public affairs vertical to join our Global Advertising team.

What the successful candidate will bring to the table

• a deep understanding of the public and corporate affairs ecosystem and landscape
• extensive client relationships at both the client and agency level
• experience leading and building high performing teams
• a proven track record in driving revenue and sales

What Motivates You

You pursue bold growth goals with energy and persistence, turning ambitious targets into measurable wins. You thrive on building trust with senior decision-makers and expanding relationships. You enjoy being a part of collaborative, cross-functional teams, celebrating shared success, and helping others grow into their potential. You stay curious about emerging technologies and trends, finding new ways to apply them to client needs. You are energized by the AI revolution and the opportunity to help reinvent how a legacy news organization engages audiences, advertisers, and global decision-makers in the digital era. You take pride in representing a news brand with integrity, credibility, and a commitment to excellence.

How You’ll Support the Mission

• Lead the Post’s efforts to cultivate deep and trusted relationships across the Public / Corporate Affairs & Advocacy Agency landscape
• Build and execute endeavors and scale overall spend by agency, working across The Post’s client teams to identify opportunities for growth and new revenue
• Serve as a category expert and market voice in Washington and for the broader Public Affairs ecosystem, representing The Washington Post at key client meetings, industry events, and thought-leadership forums
• Partner with internal client, strategy, creative, and operations teams to design and sell integrated campaigns that achieve measurable business outcomes
• Anticipate industry trends and advise clients on new opportunities where The Post’s platforms can deliver a competitive advantage
• Report on team’s performance, forecasting, and pipeline health with precision and accountability

The Skills and Experience You Bring

Minimum Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in media sales within DC and the public affairs category
• Extensive network of senior client and agency relationships within DC
• Experience working across multi-million-dollar client accounts and scaling the business within that account through deepening relationships and working across multiple lines of business
• Ability to travel to client locations (when in-person meeting activity is appropriate)
• Strong presentation and in-person sales skills and a proven record of accomplishment in building and sustaining client/agency relationships
• Knowledge of the digital media market and the ability to respond effectively to market direction, client needs, and competition
• Ability to establish rapport, develop credibility, and sell ideas to senior management
• A strong, professional, goal-oriented work ethic and a track record of meeting quarterly/annual goals
• A desire to manage a team through the entire sales process (including prospecting, acquiring new business, and maintaining relationships)
• Bachelor’s degree
• Experience selling integrated campaigns combining digital, print, custom content, live events, audio and social advertising within the news industry
• Collaboration makes us stronger. That’s why our offices are designed with open layouts, modern technology, and easy access to transportation. With certain exceptions for newsgathering and business travel, we work on-site five days a week

Compensation and Benefits

Wherever you are in your life or career, The Washington Post offers comprehensive and inclusive benefits for every step of your journey:

• Competitive medical, dental and vision coverage
• Company-paid pension and 401(k) match
• Three weeks of vacation and up to three weeks of paid sick leave
• Nine paid holidays and two personal days
• 20 weeks paid parental leave for any new parent
• Robust mental health resources
• Backup care and caregiver concierge services
• Gender affirming services
• Pet insurance
• Free Post digital subscription

Leadership and career development programs. Benefits may vary based on the job, full-time or part-time schedule, location, and collectively bargained status.

The salary range for this position is: $149,900 - $278,300 Annual. The actual salary within this range will depend on individual skills, experience, and qualifications as they relate to specific job requirements. This position may be eligible for a bonus or incentive program, and a member of the Talent Acquisition team will discuss bonus payment terms and conditions during the interview process.