Strategist

West End Strategy Team•Washington, DC

1d•$70,000 - $75,000•Hybrid

About The Position

West End Strategy Team (WEST) is seeking communications professionals looking to take the next step in their career. Candidates will have three to five years of communications experience at an agency, non-profit, government, media organization, think tank/research organization or similarly fast-paced environment. The right candidate will have a basic understanding of the modern media landscape and an interest in using that experience to support meaningful work on a range of social issues. The Strategist will work on teams to support various clients in meeting their strategic communications objectives. Responsibilities will include creating and updating project plans, research, drafting written content, developing and pitching stories to the press, and planning for and participating in client meetings, among others. The ideal candidate brings a background in strategic communications or public/media relations, is an active consumer of the news, an excellent project manager who can handle shifting and competing deadlines, and thrives supporting and solving problems for clients. This is an excellent opportunity for someone committed to impactful and meaningful communications work for causes they believe in.

Requirements

Three to five years of communications experience at an agency, non-profit, government, media organization, think tank/research organization or similarly fast-paced environment.
Basic understanding of the modern media landscape.
Interest in using communications experience to support meaningful work on a range of social issues.
Background in strategic communications or public/media relations.
Active consumer of the news.
Excellent project manager who can handle shifting and competing deadlines.
Thrives supporting and solving problems for clients.
Strong writing skills.
Media fluency.
Project coordination experience.
Driven by mission, attentive to detail, and adept at working across teams to deliver high-quality communications materials and media placements.
Prior experience managing rapid response communications, drafting client-ready products, and engaging with media contacts is essential.
Motivated by creating change in the world through excellent and creative communications strategies.
Excited to work alongside peers to develop and deliver bold and effective communications strategies that drive support for our clients’ missions, raise the visibility of organizations, foundations, initiatives and campaigns, and ultimately create impact for clients you believe in.
Develop and maintain collaborative working relationships with diverse groups of stakeholders.
Trustworthy and an effective collaborator who can successfully work with team members and clients to achieve results.
Ability to both disagree and commit.
Knack for managing projects, deliverables and deadlines.
Ability to set a high bar and meet it, by thinking ahead to anticipate roadblocks and come up with creative solutions.
Ability to hold yourself and your colleagues accountable to superior work products.
Thrive handling multiple projects simultaneously in a high-volume, fast-paced environment.
Ability to keep an eye on both the big picture and the important details and involve stakeholders appropriately.
Comfortable with Microsoft and Google Suite tools.
Familiarity using Cision, Meltwater or other media contact databases.
Understand the news and media landscape and culture.
Track record of exceptional communications work.
Ability to develop sound strategy for projects.
Ability to write clearly and compellingly to achieve clients’ needs.
Track industry trends.
Actively consume a variety of news sources.
Established relationships with media.
Do not let obstacles slow you down.
Ability to get up to speed on a topic quickly.
Curious, ask questions, and seek support when you need it.
Excited by challenges and set up systems and routines to tackle them.

Responsibilities

Create, manage and update project plans/timelines for client deliverables.
Draft internal-facing documents such as meeting agendas and notes to support client coordination.
Monitor media and other relevant platforms for coverage of client issue area news and developments, and actively consume news relevant to the clients on which you are assigned.
Conduct research on reporters, issue areas, and potential stories and angles, as well as vet media and other communications opportunities on behalf of clients.
Manage media inquiries and interview requests.
Maintain a thorough understanding of industry trends and make appropriate recommendations regarding strategies surrounding them.
Scheduling as needed (internal, with clients, with the media).
Work as a team member on assigned accounts.
Contribute to the development of strategy and recommendations for traditional and digital media platforms in accordance with client objectives.
Draft compelling written materials across formats including press releases, media advisories, pitch notes, op-eds, LTEs, talking points, and social media content.
Create and implement media outreach strategies, including researching target media, building press lists, cultivating media relationships, and communicating directly with reporters.
Support rapid response efforts, including proactive/reactive opportunity identification, drafting, cross-team coordination, and direct pitching.
Follow and identify trends for potential opportunities to cultivate and maintain strong media relationships.
Act as a liaison between clients and the media, pitching daily, under the supervision of account leads.
Contribute to building campaigns using social media and paid media tactics in order to advance clients’ goals.
Provide recommendations for social media engagement around media hits, including suggested hashtags, influencer mentions, or amplification partners.
Performs other duties or special projects as required or as assigned by a supervisor.