Director, Public Affairs

PLUS Communications•Arlington, VA

16h•Hybrid

About The Position

PLUS Communications is a full-service communications firm based in Arlington, Virginia, with campaigns spanning public affairs, corporate communications, digital, advertising, and media buying. The company is seeking an Austin-based Director to develop and execute media relations and communications efforts for a variety of public affairs accounts. The role is suited to an experienced communicator with agency experience who can highlight client narratives, advocate on clients’ behalf, synthesize complex policy issues, and engage media and third parties. The Director will also provide project management support for key client accounts. The position is based in Austin, Texas, in a hybrid work-from-home environment.

Requirements

6–8 years of relevant experience in public affairs or media relations.
Interest in public affairs and policy issues, with the ability to synthesize technical content.
Understanding of the communications landscape and how digital, print, social, and broadcast channels work.
Experience with coalition building and grassroots advocacy.
Proven experience writing and editing materials and working with the press.
Strong understanding of AP Style.
Strong writing skills and ability to produce work on a variety of topics with quick turnaround.
Proven record of securing high-profile media hits and opinion columns in top-tier outlets.
Established relationships with reporters and editors across a variety of subject areas.
Strong third-party stakeholder relationships and experience with coalition building and grassroots advocacy.
Comfort engaging daily with reporters, clients, and vendors.
Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
Solutions-oriented mindset and ability to handle a high-volume workload while maintaining attention to detail.
Willingness to commit the time needed to get the job done.

Nice To Haves

Experience in an agency environment or Texas legislature setting.

Responsibilities

Distill complex policy and regulatory information into clear messaging for different audiences.
Draft press releases, talking points, media statements, opinion pieces, fact sheets, and other media and messaging materials.
Develop media strategies and pitch reporters across print, broadcast, and online channels.
Coordinate media outreach and cultivate reporter relationships.
Conduct outreach to key stakeholders and third parties and foster those relationships.
Manage grassroots field teams for coalition building and local earned media efforts.
Develop presentations, collateral materials, strategic plans, and reports.
Track and monitor campaign deliverables and manage projects for key accounts.
Serve as a liaison among PLUS Communications’ internal team, clients, agency partners, and external vendors.