Director, Communications

Garrison Management Group; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

AxAdvocacy, a full-service public affairs and government relations firm in Washington, DC, is seeking a Director of Communications to lead earned media strategies for a portfolio of clients. This external-facing role requires relentless storytelling, strong reporter relationships, and the ability to turn insights into high-impact campaigns.

The ideal candidate has 5–8 years in strategic communications, outstanding writing, and proven success securing national and policy media.

Qualifications

• 5–8 years of experience in strategic communications, public affairs, media relations, political communications, journalism, campaigns, Capitol Hill, an administration, or an agency environment.
• Demonstrated success securing earned media and pitching reporters.
• Strong existing relationships with national, political, policy, business, and/or state media.
• Excellent news judgment and a strong instinct for what makes a compelling story.
• Exceptional writing and editing skills, with the ability to write quickly and persuasively.
• Strong understanding of politics, public policy, business, advocacy, and the modern media environment.
• Ability to manage multiple clients, deadlines, and priorities simultaneously.
• Comfortably operating in a fast-paced environment where initiative and responsiveness matter.
• Experience with integrated public affairs or advocacy campaigns is preferred.
• Bachelor's degree required

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain strong, trusted relationships with reporters, editors, producers, columnists, and other influential members of the media
• Aggressively pitch stories, client perspectives, executives, research, events, op-eds, and other earned media opportunities
• Develop creative story ideas and identify news hooks that insert clients into relevant national, state, political, policy, and business conversations
• Maintain an active understanding of the media landscape and proactively identify opportunities before clients ask for them
• Serve as a day-to-day communications strategist for a portfolio of clients, translating their objectives into actionable communications plans
• Develop and execute earned media and public affairs campaigns designed to influence policymakers, stakeholders, and public opinion
• Draft compelling press releases, pitches, op-eds, talking points, statements, briefing materials, messaging, and other communications content
• Lead rapid response efforts around breaking news, legislative and regulatory developments, political events, and emerging issues
• Prepare clients and executives for media interviews, public appearances, stakeholder engagements, and high-stakes communications
• Work closely with AxAdvocacy's government relations, political, grassroots, digital, and creative teams to build integrated campaigns
• Bring new ideas to clients consistently and look for opportunities to expand and strengthen existing accounts
• Contribute to the growth and visibility of AxAdvocacy through business development, thought leadership, and the firm's own media presence

Skills

Media relations

News pitching

Written communication

Storytelling

Public policy understanding

Multi-client management

Fast-paced environment

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Job Details

Job Location: AxAdvocacy - Washington, DC 20004

Salary Range: $100,000.00 - $130,000.00 Salary

AxAdvocacy is a full-service public affairs and government relations firm specializing in issue advocacy, strategic communications, and stakeholder engagement. We partner with corporations, trade associations, nonprofits, and advocacy organizations to execute high-impact campaigns that influence policy, shape public opinion, and help our clients win.

We are seeking a Director of Communications to join our growing Communications practice. This is an external-facing role for an aggressive, ambitious communications professional who knows how to create opportunities, build relationships with reporters, and get clients into the conversations that matter.

The right candidate is not waiting for the news cycle to come to them. They are constantly looking for the next story to pitch, the reporter to call, the trend a client can own, or the opportunity others haven't spotted yet. They understand how politics, policy, business, and media intersect—and they know how to turn that understanding into earned media and measurable results.

This is an opportunity for someone who wants to grow quickly, take ownership, build a reputation in the industry, and play an important role in the continued growth of AxAdvocacy.

Key Responsibilities

• Build and maintain strong, trusted relationships with reporters, editors, producers, columnists, and other influential members of the media
• Aggressively pitch stories, client perspectives, executives, research, events, op-eds, and other earned media opportunities
• Develop creative story ideas and identify news hooks that insert clients into relevant national, state, political, policy, and business conversations
• Maintain an active understanding of the media landscape and proactively identify opportunities before clients ask for them
• Serve as a day-to-day communications strategist for a portfolio of clients, translating their objectives into actionable communications plans
• Develop and execute earned media and public affairs campaigns designed to influence policymakers, stakeholders, and public opinion
• Draft compelling press releases, pitches, op-eds, talking points, statements, briefing materials, messaging, and other communications content
• Lead rapid response efforts around breaking news, legislative and regulatory developments, political events, and emerging issues
• Prepare clients and executives for media interviews, public appearances, stakeholder engagements, and high-stakes communications
• Work closely with AxAdvocacy's government relations, political, grassroots, digital, and creative teams to build integrated campaigns
• Bring new ideas to clients consistently and look for opportunities to expand and strengthen existing accounts
• Contribute to the growth and visibility of AxAdvocacy through business development, thought leadership, and the firm's own media presence

Qualifications

• 5–8 years of experience in strategic communications, public affairs, media relations, political communications, journalism, campaigns, Capitol Hill, an administration, or an agency environment
• Demonstrated success securing earned media and pitching reporters
• Strong existing relationships with national, political, policy, business, and/or state media
• Excellent news judgment and a strong instinct for what makes a compelling story
• Exceptional writing and editing skills, with the ability to write quickly and persuasively
• Strong understanding of politics, public policy, business, advocacy, and the modern media environment
• Ability to manage multiple clients, deadlines, and priorities simultaneously
• Comfortably operating in a fast-paced environment where initiative and responsiveness matter
• Experience with integrated public affairs or advocacy campaigns is preferred
• Bachelor's degree required

Who Will Succeed Here

We are looking for someone who is hungry, entrepreneurial, competitive, and eager to grow.

You should be someone who picks up the phone instead of waiting for an email response. You enjoy building relationships with reporters and take pride in landing a difficult story. You follow the news because you genuinely want to know what's happening—and immediately think about what it means for your clients.

You don't wait to be handed a list of assignments. You bring ideas. You create opportunities. You understand that great client service means constantly thinking about how to move the ball forward.

Most importantly, you want to build something. AxAdvocacy is growing, and this role offers significant opportunity for someone who wants greater responsibility, increased client exposure, and the chance to grow their career alongside the firm.