Director, Communications

Garrison Management Group Llc; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

AxAdvocacy is a full-service public affairs and government relations firm seeking a Director of Communications to join our growing practice. This external-facing role requires an aggressive, ambitious communications professional who can create opportunities, pitch reporters, and integrate campaigns across teams.

You will own media relations for a portfolio of clients, develop strategic plans, draft press materials, and lead rapid responses to breaking news and policy developments while growing

Qualifications

• Experience securing earned media and pitching reporters.
• Strong news judgment and ability to craft compelling stories.
• Ability to manage multiple clients, deadlines, and priorities.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain relationships with reporters, editors, and producers.
• Aggressively pitch stories, client perspectives, execs, research, events, op-eds, and other opportunities.
• Develop creative story ideas and identify news hooks for national, state, policy, and business conversations.
• Draft press releases, pitches, op-eds, talking points, and briefing materials.
• Lead rapid response efforts around breaking news, policy developments, and events.
• Prepare clients and executives for media interviews and public appearances.
• Collaborate with internal teams to build integrated campaigns and expand client accounts.

Skills

Media relations

Pitching stories

Reporter relationships

News strategy

Press materials

Rapid response

Executive media prep

Cross-functional teamwork

Business development

Thought leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

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 ResponsibilitiesBuild and maintain strong, trusted relationships with reporters, editors, producers, columnists, and other influential members of the mediaAggressively pitch stories, client perspectives, executives, research, events, op-eds, and other earned media opportunitiesDevelop creative story ideas and identify news hooks that insert clients into relevant national, state, political, policy, and business conversationsMaintain an active understanding of the media landscape and proactively identify opportunities before clients ask for themServe as a day-to-day communications strategist for a portfolio of clients, translating their objectives into actionable communications plansDevelop and execute earned media and public affairs campaigns designed to influence policymakers, stakeholders, and public opinionDraft compelling press releases, pitches, op-eds, talking points, statements, briefing materials, messaging, and other communications contentLead rapid response efforts around breaking news, legislative and regulatory developments, political events, and emerging issuesPrepare clients and executives for media interviews, public appearances, stakeholder engagements, and high-stakes communicationsWork closely with AxAdvocacy's government relations, political, grassroots, digital, and creative teams to build integrated campaignsBring new ideas to clients consistently and look for opportunities to expand and strengthen existing accountsContribute to the growth and visibility of AxAdvocacy through business development, thought leadership, and the firm's own media presence5–8 years of experience in strategic communications, public affairs, media relations, political communications, journalism, campaigns, Capitol Hill, an administration, or an agency environmentDemonstrated success securing earned media and pitching reportersStrong existing relationships with national, political, policy, business, and/or state mediaExcellent news judgment and a strong instinct for what makes a compelling storyExceptional writing and editing skills, with the ability to write quickly and persuasivelyStrong understanding of politics, public policy, business, advocacy, and the modern media environmentAbility to manage multiple clients, deadlines, and priorities simultaneouslyComfortable operating in a fast-paced environment where initiative and responsiveness matterExperience with integrated public affairs or advocacy campaigns is preferredBachelor's degree requiredWho Will Succeed HereWe 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.