Press Officer Washington D.C.

XLA; Mississippi; On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company seeks a Press Officer to enhance media engagement for DFC’s mission. Responsibilities include pitching media, developing press materials, and managing media inquiries. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in media relations and excellent communication skills.

Qualifications

• Minimum of ten years of experience in media relations.
• Excellent grammar, spelling, and punctuation skills.

Responsibilities

• Pitch media on DFC coverage opportunities.
• Develop press guidance for senior leadership.
• Respond to daily media inquiries.

Skills

Communication

Attention to Detail

Interpersonal Skills

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism

Bachelor’s Degree in Communications

Job description

The Press Officer will advance OEA’s work on multiple fronts to amplify DFC’s impact story for target audiences across the United States and internationally. This will include services directly applied to the integral effort to further DFC’s assigned mission, including directly representing DFC with the media and other stakeholders; building relationships and pitching media on timely opportunities for DFC coverage aligned with strategic priorities; ensuring timely, compelling, and accurate responses to media inquiries; and coordinating with clients and partners on their media engagement efforts. This individual will support DFC’s Director of Media Relations, Managing Director of Communications, and Vice President of External Affairs.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

Pitch media on DFC coverage opportunities, including interviews and briefings with DFC senior leadership.

Develop press guidance for senior leadership and for use agencywide. This will require adequately protecting the government’s interest on what information that is appropriate to share publicly and when including on foreign policy.

Identify pitching opportunities by researching trending stories and building/maintaining media lists. Lists should capture reporters that reach key DFC stakeholders, including the business, development, and foreign policy communities.

Write and clear DFC press releases and develop/maintain media lists for targeted distribution of those releases.

Support the planning and execution of regular relationship building/background briefing activities with targeted media.

Develop and maintain press guidance for use in media interviews, responses to media inquiries, and open-press events. Examples include talking points on DFC’s work, tailored for each major stakeholder group, priority region, and priority sector; “if-asked” Q&A on timely issues and events; and reactive statements in anticipation of crisis situations.

Organize and coordinate media interviews, thoroughly vetting opportunities and setting ground rules in advance.

Respond to daily media inquiries after liaising with relevant stakeholders, including other departments within DFC, U.S. Government counterparts, and clients, to fully understand the issues at hand. Manage necessary approvals, both internal and external, of draft responses.

Develop briefing materials to prepare CEO and other senior leadership ahead of media interviews, including identifying key messaging objectives, developing strategic talking points, providing background information on the reporter and outlet, and outlining the run-of-show.

Proactively identify and evaluate emerging issues and current events and provide recommendations for DFC to provide a response, when necessary. Lead in crafting responses.

Provide staff support for senior leadership during press interviews and engagements and advise on topic issues.

Manage coordination with clients and U.S. Government counterparts, including U.S. embassies, seeking to amplify DFC's investments through media engagement, such as through press releases and media interviews, to ensure accuracy and appropriateness of messaging.

Support other public affairs activities as needed. Responsibilities could include drafting factsheets, brochures, and other marketing materials; writing remarks and op-eds; developing social media content; updating web content; and supporting the execution of high-profile events.

Qualifications:

Must be a U.S. Citizen and capable of obtaining a public trust.

EDUCATION:

The PSC shall have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in journalism, English, communications, or related field.

EXPERIENCE:

The PSC shall have a minimum of ten (10) years of experience in media relations, preferably in a communications or journalism role. Specialized experience required shall include the following and have a resume demonstrating the ability to perform duties and responsibilities listed.

Excellent grammar, spelling, and punctuation skills.

Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment and meet tight deadlines.

Strong attention to detail and ability to multitask.

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE:

Direct experience working with the U.S. national and top tier media is preferred.

EEO Statement

XLA is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals and is an equal opportunity employer committed to supporting equality and integrity in the workplace, professional development and education, and an entrepreneurial atmosphere.

We encourage qualified individuals with disabilities to apply. If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process or to perform essential job functions, please contact our HR team by phone at 703-584-8317 or via email [e-mail] . For persons who are deaf, hard of hearing, deafblind, or deaf-disabled, XLA will provide an American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter where needed as a reasonable accommodation for the hiring processes.

We are proud to be an EEO/VETERAN EMPLOYER.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their protected veteran or disabled status and will not be discriminated against for self-identifying with either category

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