Senior Associate, Public Relations

RH Strategic; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 80,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Disability insurance

Transportation subsidy

Paid time off

401(k) retirement plan

Professional development

Wellness stipend

Job summary

RH Strategic in Washington, DC is seeking a Senior Associate, Public Relations to drive integrated communications programs for a diverse client base across technology, healthcare, government, sustainability and education. You will deepen client relationships, shape messaging, and guide media engagement with senior counsel to deliver measurable results.

This full-time, in-office role requires a hybrid schedule with at least three days on-site per week and residency in the DMV area.

Qualifications

• 4-6 years in public relations or strategic communications, incl. 2+ years in a PR agency.
• Translate technology, healthcare, workforce development, and education topics into accessible narratives.
• Experience developing media strategies and crisis communications.
• Strong understanding of media landscape, trends and news cycles.
• Exceptional written and verbal communications across formats.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day execution of integrated programs across client accounts.
• Develop and execute media relations strategies, craft pitches and secure coverage.
• Translate client priorities into clear, compelling messaging.
• Analyze campaign performance and present actionable insights.
• Manage projects, budgets, and cross-functional workstreams.
• Serve as trusted client contact, providing strategic counsel.

Skills

Public relations

Media relations

Client management

Strategic storytelling

Project coordination

Job description

About Us

RH Strategic is a well-established public relations agency with a robust client portfolio across technology, cybersecurity, healthcare, government, sustainability, and education industries. Since our founding in 2008, we’ve worked with leaders advancing technology, healthcare, sustainability, education and the public sector—organizations reshaping the world we’ll hand to future generations. We understand the assignment: Make their stories impossible to ignore.

Role Overview

We are seeking a Senior Associate, Public Relations to join RH Strategic in Washington, D.C. This role is ideal for public relations professionals with 4-6 years of agency experience who are ready to expand their strategic influence, deepen client relationships, and take ownership of integrated communications programs. This Senior Associate will play a key role in developing and executing PR strategies that advance client goals, managing complex projects and account workstreams, and providing counsel on media relations, messaging, and thought leadership opportunities.

This is a full-time role based in Washington, D.C., requiring an in-office presence of at least three days per week. To be qualified, candidates must currently reside in the DMV metro area.

Responsibilities

• Lead the day-to-day execution of integrated communications programs across client accounts, ensuring high-quality deliverables, strong project management, and measurable progress toward client objectives.
• Develop and execute media relations strategies, including identifying story opportunities, crafting pitches, securing media coverage, and cultivating relationships with reporters and editors.
• Translate complex client priorities and industry developments into messaging that supports business goals.
• Analyze campaign performance and results, share insights, and present actionable recommendations.
• Manage projects, workstreams, and cross-functional teams to ensure deadlines, budgets, and scopes are met while maintaining high-quality standards.
• Serve as a trusted client contact, managing communications, providing strategic counsel, and fostering strong, long-term relationships.

Basic Qualifications

• 4-6 years of public relations, strategic communications, or related experience, including at least 2 years in a PR agency environment.
• Demonstrated ability to translate complex topics across technology, healthcare, workforce development, and education sectors into compelling, accessible narratives for diverse audiences.
• Experience developing media strategies and supporting media engagement activities including interview preparation, message development, executive talking points, and crisis communications.
• Strong understanding of the media landscape, news cycle, and emerging trends to advance client objectives.
• Exceptional written and verbal communications skills, with experience producing high-quality strategic content across a variety of formats and audiences.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience mentoring or developing junior team members, supporting professional growth.
• Exposure to account financial management, including budgeting, resource allocation, and scope management.
• Understanding of integrated communications strategies and experience collaborating across earned, owned, paid, and shared media channels.
• Working knowledge of digital marketing, social media strategy, paid media, and analytics.

Pay and Benefits

Salary: $80,000-$95,000 annually.

This is the pay range the Company believes it will pay for this position at the time of this posting. Consistent with applicable law, compensation will be determined based on the skills, qualifications, and experience of the applicant along with the requirements of the position, and the Company reserves the right to modify this pay range at any time. The Company may, in its discretion, also offer an annual bonus in an amount, if any, to be determined by the Company. Bonuses are not guaranteed.

Benefits:

For this role, the Company offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Insurance: 100% paid base premium for the employee’s medical, dental, vision, short-term disability, and long-term disability insurances.
• Transportation Subsidy: $100 per month.
• Paid Time Off: 16 days of annual PTO, 12 firm holidays, 1 floating day off, and 1 paid day of service.
• Retirement Plan: 401(k) plan with automatic, fully vested match.
• Stipends: Professional development and wellness.

RH Strategic is committed to being an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.