Senior Director, Public Affairs

PLUS Pr; Arlington (VA); Hybrid; USD 108,000 - 132,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) plan

Life insurance

Parental leave

Paid vacation

Paid sick leave

Hybrid work environment

Job summary

PLUS Communications in Arlington, VA is seeking a Senior Director to lead media relations and public affairs campaigns for a range of clients. You will craft narratives, advise on earned media and prepare spokespeople.

The role requires agency experience, strong writing, and a track record of placing stories in top outlets; the position offers a hybrid work setup and a salary of around $120,000 with year-end bonus opportunities.

Qualifications

• 8-10 years of relevant experience in public affairs or media relations, ideally in an agency or Capitol Hill/administration setting.
• Interest in public affairs and policy issues; ability to synthesize technical content.
• Understanding of the communications landscape across digital, print, social, and broadcast.

Responsibilities

• Craft narratives by distilling complex policy information for diverse audiences.
• Draft media materials: press releases, talking points, statements, opinion pieces, fact sheets.
• Advise clients on earned media opportunities and timing to support goals.
• Prepare spokespeople for media interviews with talking points and anticipated questions.
• Develop media strategies and pitch reporters across outlets and formats.
• Coordinate coalition building and local earned media efforts.

Skills

Excellent writing

Relationship building

Project management

AP Style

Public affairs

Job description

PLUS Communications is a full-service communications firm based in Arlington, Virginia. PLUS Communications leads award-winning campaigns integrating public affairs, corporate communications, digital, advertising and media buying. PLUS means more!

PLUS Communications is looking for a Senior Director to develop and execute media relations and communications efforts for a variety of public affairs accounts. We are looking for an experienced communicator who has worked in an agency environment and understands the opportunities to highlight clients' narratives and advocate on their behalf. Ideal candidates will have experience synthesizing complex policy issues and/or regulatory affairs at the federal or state level.

Your day in this position may include:

• Crafting narratives by distilling complex policy and regulatory information into tangible messaging for a variety of audiences
• Drafting media and messaging materials (such as press releases, talking points, media statements, opinion pieces, fact sheets)
• Advising clients on earned media opportunities and recommending angles, outlets and timing to advance their communications goals
• Preparing clients and spokespeople for media interviews, including developing talking points and anticipating reporter questions
• Developing media strategies and pitching reporters across print, broadcast and online mediums
• Managing grassroots field teams for coalition building and local earned media efforts
• Developing presentations, collateral materials, strategic plans and other reports
• Tracking and monitoring campaign deliverables and serving as a project manager for key accounts
• Serving as a liaison between PLUS’ internal team, the client, other agency partners and external vendors

This job may be for you, if you:

• Have a knack with words and enjoy writing on a variety of topics with quick turnaround
• Have a proven record of securing high-profile media hits and opinion columns in top-tier outlets
• Have established relationships with reporters, editors and producers, and know how to develop pitches that connect client priorities to the news cycle
• Are comfortable engaging with reporters, clients and vendors daily
• Have strong organizational skills and ability to manage several projects simultaneously to ensure nothing falls through the cracks
• Have a solutions-oriented mindset
• Can balance a high-volume workload while maintaining attention to the details
• Are willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done, no matter the time commitment

What we require:

• 8-10 years of relevant experience in public affairs or media relations, ideally in an agency or Capitol Hill/administration setting
• Interest in public affairs and policy issues; ability to synthesize technical content
• Understanding of the communications landscape and how various communications channels work (i.e. digital, print, social, broadcast)
• Coalition building and grassroots advocacy is a plus, but not mandatory
• Proven experience in writing and editing materials and working with the press
• Strong understanding of AP Style

The budgeted salary is $120,000 and there is an opportunity for a year-end bonus.

• Medical, dental, vision, 401k, and life insurance.
• We also offer a paid parental leave program, paid vacation and paid sick leave.
• In addition, we have a work from home hybrid environment.

PLUS Communications is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer.