Associate, Public Affairs

PLUS Communications; Arlington (VA); Hybrid; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Year-end bonus

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401k

Paid parental leave

Paid vacation

Paid sick leave

Employer subsidy for commuter expenses

Paid sick leave

Commuter subsidy

Hybrid work

Job summary

A public affairs firm in Arlington, Virginia, is seeking an Associate to support communications for various clients. Key responsibilities include writing press materials, monitoring media coverage, and coordinating projects. Candidates should have 1-2 years of communications experience, strong organizational skills, and an understanding of AP Style. The company offers competitive compensation, a hybrid work environment, and benefits like medical, dental, and a paid parental leave program.

Qualifications

• 1-2 years of relevant communications experience is required.
• Strong understanding of the communications landscape is necessary.
• Ability to work under pressure and manage several projects simultaneously.
• Practical understanding of AP Style.
• Strong PowerPoint skills.
• Experience with LexisNexis, Cision, Critical Mention.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage several projects simultaneously.

Responsibilities

• Write and distribute communications materials including press releases.
• Monitor media coverage and report findings to clients.
• Coordinate research requests and develop presentations for clients.
• Create and maintain press lists.
• Support event coordination and logistics for media events and briefings.
• Develop PowerPoint presentations for new business opportunities and current clients.
• Support administrative duties for key accounts such as preparing regular reports/tracker, maintaining online file databases, scheduling meetings, compiling notes.

Skills

Communications experience

Understanding of communications channels

Interest in public affairs

PowerPoint skills

Organizational skills

Ability to work under pressure

Team player

Tools

LexisNexis

Cision

Critical Mention

Job description

PLUS Communications, a public affairs firm based in Arlington, Virginia, is looking for an Associate to join the growing team. This role supports a variety of public affairs and corporate communications accounts – from Fortune 500 companies to trade associations and non‑profits. You will be the glue that keeps our account teams together – supporting our internal team on written communications, project management and media relations activities.

The Associate position is a great opportunity to master the fundamentals of PR while working on a variety of integrated communications campaigns and building client relationships.

Responsibilities

• Write and distribute basic communications materials including news releases, backgrounders, fact sheets, newsletter content, statements and other press materials
• Monitor media and hearings to report coverage for our clients
• Coordinate basic research requests
• Create and maintain press lists
• Support event coordination and logistics for media events and briefings
• Develop PowerPoint presentations for new business opportunities and current clients
• Support administrative duties for key accounts such as preparing regular reports/tracker, maintaining online file databases, scheduling meetings, compiling notes

Requirements

• Minimum of 1‑2 years of relevant communications experience
• Understanding of the communications landscape and how various communications channels work (i.e. digital, print, social, broadcast)
• Interest in public affairs and policy issues; ability to synthesize technical content
• Practical understanding of AP Style
• Strong PowerPoint skills
• Experience with LexisNexis, Cision, Critical Mention
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage several projects simultaneously working across a variety of issues
• Ability to work under pressure to manage tight deadlines while juggling multiple projects and changing priorities
• A team player with a can‑do attitude and a willingness to work in the trenches

Benefits

We offer competitive compensation with an opportunity for a year‑end bonus. Medical, dental, vision, 401k, and life insurance. We also offer a paid parental leave program, paid vacation, paid sick leave and employer subsidy for commuter expenses. In addition, we have a hybrid work environment.

PLUS Communications is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer.