Senior Director, Public Affairs

PLUS Communications•Arlington, VA

1d•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 Senior Director develops and executes 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 and advocate on clients’ behalf, including by synthesizing complex policy and regulatory issues at the federal or state level. The position combines strategic communications counsel, writing and editing, media relations, grassroots and coalition work, project management, and coordination among clients, internal teams, agency partners, and vendors. It involves a high-volume workload and may require significant time commitment.

Requirements

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 and ability to synthesize technical content.
Understanding of the communications landscape and how digital, print, social, and broadcast channels work.
Proven experience writing and editing materials and working with the press.
Strong understanding of AP Style.
Strong writing skills and ability to write on a variety of topics with quick turnaround.
Proven record of securing high-profile media coverage and opinion columns in top-tier outlets.
Established relationships with reporters, editors, and producers, and ability to develop pitches that connect client priorities to the news cycle.
Comfort engaging with reporters, clients, and vendors daily.
Strong organizational skills and ability to manage several projects simultaneously.
Solutions-oriented mindset and ability to balance a high-volume workload while maintaining attention to detail.
Willingness to do what it takes to complete the work, regardless of time commitment.

Nice To Haves

Coalition building and grassroots advocacy experience.

Responsibilities

Distill complex policy and regulatory information into clear narratives and messaging for varied audiences.
Draft media and messaging materials, including press releases, talking points, media statements, opinion pieces, and fact sheets.
Advise clients on earned media opportunities and recommend angles, outlets, and timing to advance communications goals.
Prepare clients and spokespeople for media interviews by developing talking points and anticipating reporter 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 other reports.
Track and monitor campaign deliverables and serve as project manager for key accounts.
Liaise among PLUS’ internal team, clients, other agency partners, and external vendors.