Director, Public Affairs

PLUS Communications; Arlington (TX); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401k

Life insurance

Paid parental leave

Paid vacation

Paid sick leave

Hybrid work environment

Job summary

PLUS Communications, a full-service communications firm, seeks an Austin-based Director to lead media relations and public affairs for diverse accounts. You will translate complex policy into actionable messaging, draft press materials, pitch reporters, build coalitions, and manage cross-cutting campaigns.

The role emphasizes strong writing, stakeholder engagement, and project management across internal teams and clients.

Qualifications

• 6–8 years of relevant experience in public affairs or media relations, ideally in an agency or Texas legislature setting.
• Ability to synthesize technical content for diverse audiences.
• Strong understanding of AP Style and media landscapes.

Responsibilities

• Craft narratives by distilling complex policy and regulatory information into tangible messaging for a variety of audiences.
• Drafting media and messaging materials (such as press releases, talking points, media statements, opinion pieces, fact sheets)
• Developing media strategies and pitching reporters across print, broadcast and online mediums
• Coordinating media outreach and cultivating relationships with reporters
• Conducting outreach to and fostering relationships with key stakeholders and third-parties.
• Managing grassroots field teams for coalition building and local earned media efforts
• Developing presentations, collateral materials, strategic plans and other reports
• Tracking and monitoring campaign deliverables and serving as a project manager for key accounts
• Serving as a liaison between PLUS' internal team, the client, other agency partners and external vendors

Skills

Media relations

Writing

Project management

AP Style

Stakeholder engagement

Coalition building

Grassroots advocacy

Organization

Attention to detail

Time management

Tools

Press release drafting

Media pitching

Campaign tracking

Presentations

Job description

PLUS Communications is a full-service communications firm based in Arlington, Virginia. PLUS Communications leads award-winning campaigns integrating public affairs, corporate communications, digital, advertising and media buying. PLUS means more!

PLUS Communications is looking for an Austin-based Director to develop and execute media relations and communications efforts for a variety of public affairs accounts. We are looking for an experienced communicator who has worked in an agency environment and understands the opportunities to highlight clients' narratives and advocate on their behalf. Ideal candidates will have experience synthesizing complex policy issues and with media and third-party engagement. This role will also provide project management support for key client accounts. This position is based in Austin, Texas.

Your day in this position may include:

• Crafting narratives by distilling complex policy and regulatory information into tangible messaging for a variety of audiences
• Drafting media and messaging materials (such as press releases, talking points, media statements, opinion pieces, fact sheets)
• Developing media strategies and pitching reporters across print, broadcast and online mediums
• Coordinating media outreach and cultivating relationships with reporters
• Conducting outreach to and fostering relationships with key stakeholders and third-parties.
• Managing grassroots field teams for coalition building and local earned media efforts
• Developing presentations, collateral materials, strategic plans and other reports
• Tracking and monitoring campaign deliverables and serving as a project manager for key accounts
• Serving as a liaison between PLUS' internal team, the client, other agency partners and external vendors

This job may be for you, if you:

• Have a knack with words and enjoy writing on a variety of topics with quick turnaround.
• Have a proven record of securing high-profile media hits and opinion columns in top-tier outlets.
• Have a robust and well-worn rolodex of reporters and editors across a variety of focuses.
• Have strong third-party stakeholder relationships and experience with coalition building and grassroots advocacy.
• Are comfortable engaging with reporters, clients and vendors daily.
• Have strong organizational skills and ability to manage several projects simultaneously to ensure nothing falls through the cracks.
• Have a solutions-oriented mindset.
• Can balance a high-volume workload while maintaining attention to the details.
• Are willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done, no matter the time commitment.

What we require:

• 6-8 years of relevant experience in public affairs or media relations, ideally in an agency or Texas legislature setting
• Interest in public affairs and policy issues; ability to synthesize technical content.
• Understanding of the communications landscape and how various communications channels work (i.e. digital, print, social, broadcast).
• Coalition building and grassroots advocacy.
• Proven experience in writing and editing materials and working with the press.
• Strong understanding of AP Style.

The budgeted salary is $100,000 and there is an opportunity for a year-end bonus. Medical, dental, vision, 401k, and life insurance. We also offer a paid parental leave program, paid vacation and paid sick leave. In addition, we have a work from home hybrid environment.

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