Media Relations Specialist – Senior

W2 Comm; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

W2 Comm in the Washington, DC area seeks a Media Relations Specialist to support government communications and elevate the agency’s media presence across traditional and digital outlets. You will craft pitches, manage media inquiries, and produce analysis to inform strategy.

The role requires 5–7 years in public or media relations, B2G experience, and strong writing and project management skills. You’ll collaborate with a team to deliver timely, accurate messaging and respond to fast-moving

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• 5–7 years of experience in public and/or media relations, with minimum 1 year of experience in B2G (business-to-government) or government agency communications, and minimum 3 years of experience supporting cybersecurity-related communications.
• Demonstrated experience crafting, pitching, and placing stories in external media outlets.
• Proficiency with media monitoring and analytics platforms (e.g., Critical Mention, Muck Rack).
• Strong writing skills, including press releases, media pitches, background memos, talking points, and fact sheets.

Responsibilities

• Develop media engagement strategies for campaigns, announcements, and events, including identifying target media outlets and reporters and crafting media pitches and supporting products.
• Produce media clips and ad hoc analysis of print and online coverage to assess the effectiveness of agency outreach efforts.
• Conduct weekly social media analysis and ad hoc topic analysis to support the development of strategies, infographics, and content that enhances public awareness of the agency’s programs.
• Prepare monthly media analysis reports covering national media highlights, evolution of media coverage by audience size, social media engagement, outreach campaign rollups, regional highlights, top feature outlets, and national topic breakdowns.
• Assist in the preparation of media kits, press releases, fact sheets, and query responses for media inquiries or proactive outreach related to agency initiatives, programs, and services.
• Support the development and maintenance of local and regional media lists for targeted outreach activities.
• Maintain media database records and leverage industry-leading monitoring tools such as Critical Mention and Muck Rack.
• Support executive leadership with media training, briefing preparation, and strategic communications counsel.

Skills

Media relations

Public relations

Writing

Analytics platforms

Cybersecurity knowledge

B2G experience

Pitching stories

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Communications/Public Relations/Journalism or related field

Tools

Critical Mention

Muck Rack

Job description

We are seeking a skilled and driven Media Relations Specialist to support communications operations for a government agency. In this role, you will work alongside a team of dedicated communications professionals to manage and advance the agency’s media presence across traditional and digital platforms.

This position is based in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. Candidates must be available for onsite work at agency facilities as required by the program. Flexibility for a hybrid schedule may be available depending on contract requirements.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop media engagement strategies for campaigns, announcements, and events, including identifying target media outlets and reporters and crafting media pitches and supporting products.
• Produce media clips and ad hoc analysis of print and online coverage to assess the effectiveness of agency outreach efforts.
• Conduct weekly social media analysis and ad hoc topic analysis to support the development of strategies, infographics, and content that enhances public awareness of the agency’sprograms.
• Prepare monthly media analysis reports covering national media highlights, evolution of media coverage by audience size, social media engagement, outreach campaign rollups, regional highlights, top feature outlets, and national topic breakdowns.
• Assist in the preparation of media kits, press releases, fact sheets, and query responses for media inquiries or proactive outreach related to agency initiatives, programs, and services.
• Support the development and maintenance of local and regional media lists for targeted outreach activities.
• Maintain media database records and leverage industry-leading monitoring tools such as Critical Mention and Muck Rack.
• Support executive leadership with media training, briefing preparation, and strategic communications counsel.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• 5–7 years of experience in public and/or media relations, with minimum 1 year of experience in B2G (business-to-government) or government agency communications, and minimum 3 years of experience supporting cybersecurity-related communications. Knowledge of the cybersecurity press corps.
• Demonstrated experience crafting, pitching, and placing stories in external media outlets.
• Proficiency with media monitoring and analytics platforms ("e.g., Critical Mention, Muck Rack").
• Strong writing skills, including press releases, media pitches, background memos, talking points, and fact sheets.
• Ability to work efficiently and accurately in a fast-paced environment, both independently and collaboratively.
• Proactive work ethic with strong attention to detail.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Prior experience supporting federal agency communications.
• Experience with executive media training and strategic communications counsel.
• Background in managing or contributing to regional media outreach programs.
• Experience with podcast outreach and emerging media formats.

Contract Contingency Notice: Employment in this position is contingent upon award of the applicable government contract. Candidates who receive a conditional offer of employment will be notified of final hiring decisions following contract award.