Managing Director, Public Affairs

Forward Global; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 175,000 - 250,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) match

Unlimited PTO

Health benefits

Professional development

Job summary

Forward Global in Washington, DC is seeking a Managing Director to serve as the senior day-to-day leader for a major client account. The role requires coordinating resources across the firm and delivering strategic counsel to executives on public affairs, policy, and reputational risk.

The position is fully in-person at our Georgetown office. Travel up to 25% may be required as part of client service and business development activities.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in public affairs, government relations, and strategic communications.
• Ability to advise senior executives and high-level stakeholders on complex political and reputational issues.
• Strong organizational, project management, and multi-priority handling skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic counsel to clients and oversee engagement, policy, and reputational risk initiatives.
• Monitor political and regulatory developments impacting client objectives.
• Manage a Senior Consultant and coordinate cross-firm resources for client priorities.
• Design and execute government relations and stakeholder engagement strategies.
• Advise on messaging and narrative development during routine and high-profile situations.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to align public affairs with business objectives.
• Anticipate and respond to emerging issues and reputational challenges.

Skills

Public affairs

Government relations

Strategic communications

Client engagement

Strategic thinking

Travel planning

Team leadership

Interpersonal skills

Tools

Google Workspace

Microsoft Office

Job description

About Us

Forward Global is an international risk and reputation management firm with offices in DC, New York, Miami, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Brussels. We unite 350+ international strategists, communicators, and creators to achieve mission-critical objectives for public and private clients worldwide. We do so by helping global leaders, businesses, and institutions better understand, navigate, and mitigate risk, enhancing decision making and strengthening our clients’ strategic positions.

Forward Global prides itself on being an entrepreneurial firm with a close-knit, supportive team of professionals. Our model blends sophistication with agility.

Position Overview

Forward Global U.S. is seeking an experienced and highly motivated Managing Director to serve as the senior day-to-day leader for one of the firm's largest and most strategic client accounts. This individual will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of client engagement, ensuring exceptional service delivery, driving strategic initiatives, and maintaining trusted executive-level client relationships.

The Managing Director will act as the secondary operational leader for the account, coordinating resources across the firm, identifying opportunities to expand the scope and impact of Forward Global's work, and ensuring successful execution of both strategic and tactical client priorities.

The ideal candidate will bring significant experience in public affairs, government relations, and strategic communications, with the ability to advise clients navigating complex political, regulatory, reputational, and stakeholder environments. This individual should be comfortable operating at the intersection of business, policy, media, and public perception, providing strategic counsel that advances client objectives and mitigates risk.

While business development is not a core requirement of this role, the ideal candidate will possess strong commercial instincts and the ability to identify and cultivate growth opportunities when appropriate.

This is a fully in-person position in our Georgetown office, in Washington, DC. and reports directly to Partner Mike Rubino.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the lead Partner in providing strategic counsel to clients on public affairs, stakeholder engagement, policy developments, and reputational risk.
• Monitor and assess political, legislative, regulatory, and public policy developments relevant to client objectives.
• Manage a Senior Consultant on day to day execution of client projects and tasks.
• Support the design and execution of government relations and stakeholder engagement strategies.
• Advise clients on strategic communications initiatives, messaging, and narrative development during both routine and high-profile situations.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to align public affairs, communications, and business objectives.
• Help clients anticipate and respond to emerging issues, policy changes, and reputational challenges.

Ideal Candidate

• Demonstrated experience in public affairs, government relations, strategic communications, corporate affairs, public policy, or related fields.
• Strong understanding of the U.S. political, legislative, regulatory, and media landscape.
• Experience advising senior executives, corporate leadership teams, policymakers, or other high-level stakeholders.
• Ability to synthesize complex political, regulatory, and reputational dynamics into actionable business recommendations.
• Experience managing multiple competing priorities in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment
• Strong organizational and project management skills with exceptional attention to detail
• Proficiency in Google Workspace and Microsoft Office Suite
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal
• Entrepreneurial mindset with a proactive, solutions-oriented approach
• Ability to work under pressure with competing priorities
• Willingness to travel up to 25%

Pay Transparency

Forward Global is committed to fair and transparent compensation practices. As required by applicable Pay Transparency laws, we provide a compensation range for roles that may be hired in jurisdictions where disclosure is required. Actual compensation may vary based on several factors, including relevant experience, specific skills, geographic location, and other role-related considerations.

Forward Global offers a competitive benefits package designed to support employees’ well-being and professional growth. Benefits include health coverage, retirement savings plans, paid time off, and opportunities for professional development.

Compensation

• Annual Pay Range: $175,000 - $250,000
• Exempt or Non-Exempt?: Exempt
• Job Family/Level: Level 4.1 - Managing Director
• Employee Status: Regular

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage through CareFirst
• 401(k) retirement plan with a 5% company match
• Company-sponsored Group Term Life Insurance
• Unlimited Paid Time Off (PTO) policy
• Paid parking or transportation benefits
• Professional development and networking opportunities
• Paid company holidays and leave benefits
• Employee wellness and support resources
• Complimentary office snacks and beverages

Closing

At Forward Global, we believe complex challenges require diverse perspectives. We are committed to fostering an inclusive, collaborative environment where people from different backgrounds, experiences, and viewpoints can contribute meaningfully to solving our clients’ most pressing strategic, geopolitical, and reputational challenges. We recognize that our strength lies in the diversity of our team, and that each colleague brings unique insight and expertise to the work we do.

Every day, our teams drive impact by advising organizations operating in complex environments around the world. We strive to build a culture grounded in respect, intellectual curiosity, and collaboration—where individuals feel empowered to share ideas, challenge assumptions, and continuously learn from one another.