Director, Media Relations

Atlantic Council; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

The Atlantic Council seeks a Director of Media Relations to lead its media outreach and communications strategy from its Washington, DC headquarters. You will spearhead external communications, amplify the Council’s expertise, and coordinate across editorial, digital, and events teams.

The role demands a robust journalist network, proven storytelling and crisis-communication skills, and the ability to work beyond standard hours.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in international affairs, communications, journalism, or a related field.
• 7–10+ years of media relations, journalism, or strategic-communications experience, including at least three years managing staff.
• Robust network of relationships with journalists at top-tier outlets covering foreign policy, security, tech, and economics.
• Experience designing and leading organization-wide communications plans across multiple teams.
• Track record of securing high-impact coverage, including broadcast bookings & op-ed placements.
• Excellent writing and editing skills for pitches, releases, and talking points on tight deadlines.
• Working knowledge of international affairs and the Washington policy landscape.
• Proficiency with social media, digital marketing, and AI tools.
• Judgment in crisis communications and handling sensitive issues.
• Ability to work outside standard hours when needed.

Responsibilities

• Lead media-relations operation with team, partners, and vendors.
• Build and manage relationships with reporters and editors at top outlets.
• Identify opportunities for high-profile media coverage of events and publications.
• Lead rapid response to breaking news and insert expert views into coverage.
• Serve as primary contact for crisis communications and rapid response.
• Generate media partnerships to raise visibility of events and initiatives.
• Coordinate efforts to secure moderators and panelists.
• Edit and place opinion columns in leading outlets.
• Train staff on best practices for engaging with media.
• Travel as needed to support global events and conferences.
• Establish experts as pre-eminent sources of commentary on international affairs.
• Travel as needed to support the Council’s global and flagship convenings.

Skills

Media relations leadership

Strategic communications

Crisis communications

Networking with journalists

Writing & editing

Digital marketing & AI tools

Public policy awareness

Education

Bachelor's degree in international affairs, communications, journalism, or related field

Tools

Cision / Meltwater / Muck Rack

Job description

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

Overview

The director of Media Relations leads the Atlantic Council’s media outreach and communications strategy, and serves on the leadership of the broader Engagement team. The director is responsible for bolstering the Council’s media profile—advancing its mission by amplifying its expertise, events, and publications through earned US and international coverage. The director also coordinates external communications efforts and campaigns across the institution.

The director reports to the Atlantic Council’s senior editorial director. The director works closely with the Council’s digital, editorial, and event-production teams; executive office; and the Atlantic Council’s various programs and centers.

This position is based at the Council’s Washington, DC headquarters. The director is expected in the office at least four days a week, and whenever the role requires.

The Atlantic Council offers a competitive compensation package commensurate with experience and education, with offers from $140,000 to $180,000, and the position is bonus-eligible. Applications submitted by November 1, 2026 will be prioritized for consideration.

Job Responsibilities

Media relations

• Manage the Atlantic Council’s media-relations operation, including full-time team members, partners, and vendors.
• Build and manage relationships with reporters, producers, bookers, and editors at top-level US and international print, digital, and broadcast outlets.
• Identify opportunities for and secure high-profile media coverage of Atlantic Council events and publications.
• Lead rapid response to the media on breaking news developments worldwide, inserting the Council’s expert views into the news cycle when they are most relevant.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for crisis communications and rapid response.
• Generate media partnerships that raise the visibility of Council events and initiatives.
• Coordinate efforts to secure media moderators and panelists.
• Edit and place opinion columns in leading outlets.
• Train staff on best practices for engaging with print, digital, and broadcast media.
• Travel as needed to support the Council’s global and flagship convenings.
• Establish Council experts as pre-eminent and visible sources of commentary and insight on international affairs.

Strategic communications

• Lead the Atlantic Council’s overall approach to external media as spokesperson, strategist, and advocate.
• Help to build greater public awareness of the Council, its influence, and the impact of its work, particularly in the press.
• Develop a strategy to increase the Atlantic Council’s presence on non-traditional media platforms, including engagement with podcasts and digital media influencers.
• Serve as a lead communications representative at the outset of major new Atlantic Council initiatives, defining a holistic communications framework including tactics and strategy.
• Oversee long-term communications planning for the Council’s programs and centers, working with each to define programmatic goals and a matching strategy.
• Manage the Council-wide communications calendar, including Council and external global events, to raise the organization’s profile around key moments.
• Develop the Council’s paid media strategy in partnership with colleagues.
• Lead and expand the Council’s evolving portfolio of media partnerships.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in international affairs, communications, journalism, or a related field.
• 7-10+ years of media relations, journalism, or strategic-communications experience, including at least three years managing staff.
• A robust network of active relationships with journalists at top-tier national and international outlets covering foreign policy, security, technology, and economics.
• Experience designing and leading organization-wide communications plans and campaigns across multiple teams or programs.
• A track record of securing high-impact coverage, including broadcast bookings and op-ed placements.
• Excellent writing and editing skills, with the ability to produce pitches, releases, and talking points on tight deadlines.
• Working knowledge of international affairs and the Washington policy landscape.
• Proficiency with social media, digital marketing, and AI tools.
• Proven judgment in crisis communications and in handling sensitive issues.
• Ability to work outside standard hours when breaking news or other time-sensitive matters require it.

Preferred

• Experience at a major newsroom, government agency or congressional office, international organization, or policy institution.
• Experience with media in Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Africa, or Latin America.
• Experience developing paid media strategies or managing media partnerships.
• Proficiency in a second language.
• Familiarity with media monitoring and database platforms such as Cision, Meltwater, or Muck Rack.

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 at [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).