Senior Associate, Corporate & Public Affairs

Interpublic; United States; Hybrid; USD 59,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Weber Shandwick is seeking a curious Senior Associate to join our Washington, D.C. team on a hybrid schedule. You will develop PR content, manage media relations, and support corporate communications for clients at the intersection of business, policy, and culture.

You will work with stakeholders, craft messaging, and help executives prepare for interviews while tracking industry trends and delivering clear insights for strategy. A Bachelor's degree and strong writing are required.

Qualifications

• 2–3 years of experience in corporate communications or PR.
• Strong writing, editing, and proofreading skills; translate complex issues into clear narratives.
• Understanding of national media landscape (business, political, policy).
• Interest in business, policy, media and culture intersections.
• Comfort using AI tools for research, monitoring, and drafting.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and media databases/monitoring tools.
• Bachelor's degree required.

Responsibilities

• Content Development: write press releases, statements, messaging frameworks, talking points, op-eds, and social content.
• Media Relations & Strategy: build media lists, pitch reporters, prepare spokespeople for interviews.
• Corporate Communications: support announcements, positioning, and reputation programs.
• Public Affairs & Stakeholder Engagement: map and support outreach to policymakers and groups.
• Research & Intelligence: synthesize data into insights on trends, policy, competitors, and media coverage.
• Executive Communications: prepare briefing books and interview materials for leaders.
• Monitoring & Analysis: track developments and turn into concise client reports.
• Client Experience & Account Support: manage agendas, notes, and timelines for clients.

Skills

Strong writing

Media relations

Strategic thinking

Stakeholder engagement

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Media databases

Monitoring tools

AI tools

Job description

Agency: Weber Shandwick Job Function: Communications and PR Job Subfunction: Public Relations Job Description: Who We Are

Weber Shandwick is more than a leading global PR agency - we're an engagement agency working at the cutting edge of the new media landscape. We're storytellers and content creators who engage people IN the story. Our success is built on a deep commitment to client service and our people, embracing creativity and collaboration to build brands and reputations.

About the Role

Weber Shandwick is seeking a curious, detail-oriented, and collaborative Senior Associate to join our team in Washington, D.C. This role is on our Corporate and Public Affairs team, part of Weber Advisory - a unit delivering trusted, agile C-suite counsel by blending communications expertise with cultural insights to accelerate stakeholder and organizational value. In this role, you will execute comprehensive communications and reputation management strategies for clients operating at the complex intersection of business, policy, media, and culture. You will be a hands-on team member, driving projects from planning through execution while developing expertise in corporate positioning, public affairs strategy, and media relations. You'll work with clients in highly regulated industries where Washington and global policy developments directly shape business outcomes. This position will be based in our Washington, D.C. office on a hybrid schedule.

About You

You are adaptable and detail-oriented, with a genuine curiosity about how business, policy, media, and culture intersect. You are a fast learner, a clear communicator, and a proactive problem-solver who thrives in a dynamic, collaborative environment.

Responsibilities

• Content Development: Write press releases, statements, messaging frameworks, talking points, op-eds, and social media copy tailored for different audiences.
• Media Relations & Strategy: Build targeted media lists across national, business, policy, trade and local outlets; pitch reporters; and prepare spokespeople for interviews.
• Corporate Communications: Support the planning and execution of corporate announcements, positioning and reputation programs, including leadership transitions.
• Public Affairs & Stakeholder Engagement: Map and support outreach to policymakers, industry groups, advocates, and community leaders who matter to clients.
• Research & Intelligence: Conduct in-depth research and synthesize complex data into digestible insights regarding industry trends, policy developments, competitors, and media coverage to inform client strategy.
• Executive Communications: Vet opportunities and prepare briefing books and interview materials for client leaders.
• Monitoring & Analysis: Proactively track business, industry, policy, and media developments, turning them into concise reports that identify strategic implications for clients.
• Client Experience & Account Support: Keep workstreams on track with agendas, meeting notes, and timelines; serve as a day-to-day resource for clients and team members.

Basic Qualifications

• 2-3 years of experience in corporate communications, public affairs, public relations, or a related field (agency, in-house corporate communications, Capitol Hill, political campaigns, trade associations, advocacy organizations, or newsrooms).
• A strong understanding of the national media landscape, particularly business, political, and policy outlets.
• Strong writing, editing, and proofreading skills, with the ability to translate complex issues into clear narratives for various audiences.
• Demonstrated interest in the intersection of business, policy, media, and culture.
• Comfort using AI tools for research, monitoring, and drafting.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and experience with media database and monitoring tools.
• Bachelor's degree.

Competencies

• Curiosity & Cultural Acumen: A keen interest in understanding how developments across business, policy, media, and culture affect one another; a drive to keep abreast of evolving debates and anticipate implications for clients.
• Analytical Mindset: Ability to synthesize research and data into actionable strategic recommendations.
• Detail-Oriented: A commitment to delivering clear, precise, and accurate work and meeting deadlines reliably.
• Agility & Poise: A track record of managing multiple priorities under tight deadlines while maintaining a solutions-oriented attitude.
• Collaboration & Communication: Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to share ideas, contribute to team discussions, and work effectively in an integrated team environment.
• Judgment & Growth Orientation: Keen judgment about which issues to escalation and strong appetite for learning feedback to continuously improve your impact.

Salary Range : 59,000 - 65,000

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