Senior Director, Public Affairs

PLCUS PLUS Communications LLC; United States; Hybrid; USD 108,000 - 132,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision insurance

401k savings plan

Paid parental leave

Hybrid in-office/remote work

Job summary

PLUS Communications, an Arlington, Virginia-based agency, seeks a Senior Director to lead media relations and strategic communications for public affairs accounts. The role requires an experienced communicator with agency background and the ability to translate complex policy issues into compelling narratives and media opportunities.

The ideal candidate will craft messaging, pitch reporters, and coordinate across clients, internal teams, and external partners, including preparing spokespeople

Qualifications

• 8-10 years of relevant experience in public affairs or media relations, ideally in an agency or Capitol Hill/administration setting.
• Ability to synthesize technical content for diverse audiences.
• Understanding of the communications landscape and how channels (digital, print, social, broadcast) work.
• 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.

Responsibilities

• Craft narratives by distilling complex policy and regulatory information into tangible messaging for various audiences.
• Draft media and messaging materials (press releases, talking points, media statements, opinion pieces, fact sheets).
• Advise clients on earned media opportunities and recommend angles, outlets and timing.
• Prepare clients and spokespeople for media interviews, including talking points and anticipated questions.
• Develop media strategies and pitch reporters across print, broadcast and online media.
• Manage grassroots field teams for coalition building and local earned media efforts.
• Develop presentations, collateral materials, strategic plans and reports.
• Track campaign deliverables and serve as a project manager for key accounts.
• Serve as liaison between internal team, client, agency partners and vendors.

Skills

Media relations

Strategic communications

Editorial writing

Pitching to press

Client communication

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Communications or related field

Tools

Cision

Meltwater

Job description

Agency: Plus Job Function: Communications and PR Job Subfunction: Public Relations Job Description: 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.

Requirements

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

Benefits

• 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.

More information about PLUS Communications and our job opportunities can be found on our PLUS website and job board.

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

To the extent permissible by local law, Omnicom’s policy requires employees to work in the office for a minimum of three days a week, unless additional in-office days are directed by their agency or manager.

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