Press Secretary
Apply NowCompany: PARTNERSHIP FOR PUBLIC SERVICE
Location: Washington, DC 20011
Description:
INTRODUCTION
The Partnership for Public Service is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to building a better government and a stronger democracy.
Central to this mission is our work to support and safeguard the apolitical civil service, the backbone of our democratic system that ensures the federal government meets its mandate to serve the public good. We prepare federal employees to navigate threats to the nonpartisan workforce, and we educate and engage the public about why the government matters and what is at stake for everyone if it is undermined. We also aim to help state and local governments deliver for those they serve, applying our 20-plus years of experience working in the federal sector to reinspire faith in government at all levels.
Our staff, diverse in experience and perspective, is mission-driven, creative, collaborative, optimistic and inclusive.
Our work is strategic, fast-paced and guided by our values:
We hire smart and friendly people who are great at what they do and good to one another in the process.
POSITION OVERVIEW
The Partnership for Public Service seeks a Press Secretary to help develop and execute creative earned media strategies to communicate the Partnership's mission, programs, research, activities and priorities. As the only nonprofit dedicated to building a better government and a stronger democracy, this position will play a key role in advancing the Partnership's efforts to support and safeguard the civil service and engage the public about the importance of the federal government and the services it provides to everyday people.
Reporting to the Senior Media Relations Manager, this person will maintain and develop relationships with the media; write supporting materials that include email pitches, press statements, media advisories, op-eds and news releases; prepare key members of the organization for interviews; evaluate and report on the success of outreach; and other duties related to proactive media relations. This person will also work closely with the Senior Media Relations Manager on building and cultivating media relationships in the good government space, traditional media and nontraditional media; and with a wide variety of Partnership teams on discrete projects such as report releases.
The Press Secretary will work as part of an interdisciplinary communications team of marketing, graphic design, social media, editorial, media, and events staff, and as a result should be able to collaborate with others and contribute ideas. This person must be able to manage relationships and lead assigned projects from start to finish.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
KEY COMPETENCIES
REQUIRED/PREFERRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY/REPORTING STRUCTURE
This position reports to the Senior Media Relations Manager. The position may supervise junior staff.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
This job operates in a hybrid (remote + office) environment in Washington, DC, and requires the candidate to be a permanent resident in the Washington, DC, Maryland or Virginia area. The person in this role is expected to work in the office, on average, two days per week. This position requires consistent use of office equipment such as computer, telephone, printer/scanner and MS Office.
In assessing employee performance at the Partnership, we consider collaboration, results, and demonstration of our values.
POSITION TYPE/EXPECTED HOURS OF WORK
This is a full-time exempt position with regular work hours Monday-Friday, 9 am to 6 pm. Additional work hours and evening or weekend activities may be required.
TRAVEL
This position will regularly travel locally within the D.C. metropolitan area. Some out-of-state and/or overnight travel for media meetings may be required.
SALARY AND BENEFITS
The starting salary range for this position is $70,000-$95,000. The Partnership offers a compensation package that includes a competitive salary; medical, dental and vision coverage; life insurance; long- and short-term disability insurance; a 401(k) program with a 4 percent employer match; opportunities for training and development; commuter benefits; 15 days of annual leave per year, 10 days of sick leave per year, plus all federal holidays and the day after Thanksgiving off; and use of an on-site exercise facility.
EEO STATEMENT
The Partnership adheres to all federal, state and local employment laws. Partnership for Public Service is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate against any applicants for employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, caste, national origin, citizenship, immigration status, veteran status, disability; or on any other basis prohibited by law.
The Partnership for Public Service is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to building a better government and a stronger democracy.
Central to this mission is our work to support and safeguard the apolitical civil service, the backbone of our democratic system that ensures the federal government meets its mandate to serve the public good. We prepare federal employees to navigate threats to the nonpartisan workforce, and we educate and engage the public about why the government matters and what is at stake for everyone if it is undermined. We also aim to help state and local governments deliver for those they serve, applying our 20-plus years of experience working in the federal sector to reinspire faith in government at all levels.
Our staff, diverse in experience and perspective, is mission-driven, creative, collaborative, optimistic and inclusive.
Our work is strategic, fast-paced and guided by our values:
- Passion for public service and our work toward more effective government
- People who promote a culture of learning, leadership, collaboration, inclusion and respect
- Persistence to drive change, take strategic risks and deliver results
- Promise to be trustworthy, nonpartisan and fiscally responsible
We hire smart and friendly people who are great at what they do and good to one another in the process.
POSITION OVERVIEW
The Partnership for Public Service seeks a Press Secretary to help develop and execute creative earned media strategies to communicate the Partnership's mission, programs, research, activities and priorities. As the only nonprofit dedicated to building a better government and a stronger democracy, this position will play a key role in advancing the Partnership's efforts to support and safeguard the civil service and engage the public about the importance of the federal government and the services it provides to everyday people.
Reporting to the Senior Media Relations Manager, this person will maintain and develop relationships with the media; write supporting materials that include email pitches, press statements, media advisories, op-eds and news releases; prepare key members of the organization for interviews; evaluate and report on the success of outreach; and other duties related to proactive media relations. This person will also work closely with the Senior Media Relations Manager on building and cultivating media relationships in the good government space, traditional media and nontraditional media; and with a wide variety of Partnership teams on discrete projects such as report releases.
The Press Secretary will work as part of an interdisciplinary communications team of marketing, graphic design, social media, editorial, media, and events staff, and as a result should be able to collaborate with others and contribute ideas. This person must be able to manage relationships and lead assigned projects from start to finish.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Work with the Public Relations Director and Senior Media Relations Manager to contribute to the overall communication strategy and direction for the organization and position the Partnership as a thought leader on government reform issues.
- Cultivate and strengthen the Partnership's long-term relationships with traditional media and seek new opportunities to engage with nontraditional and emerging media.
- Support the Senior Media Relations Manager in developing and executing media outreach plans to proactively promote the Partnership's mission, strategic priorities and advocacy agenda.
- Collaborate with the Senior Media Relations Manager on day-to-day media outreach and response to incoming inquiries, arrange for and attend interviews with appropriate Partnership staff and provide background materials or referrals, as needed.
- Recognizing the importance of humanizing the impacts of public service, insert voices of current and former civil servants into press materials, events, and interviews by developing and including quotes, press training and staffing storytellers.
- Serve as the lead media relations strategist for the Partnership's work to support civil servants as well as its growing work with state and local governments.
- Collaborating with the Senior Media Relations Manager, identify and employ creative tactics to help the Partnership's mission, programs and nonpartisan perspective break through and compete in a crowded and partisan media space.
- Proactively track the news cycle and trends to help identify ways to insert the Partnership into story opportunities in strategic and culturally relevant ways, especially with respect to standing up for the career civil service, improving public trust in government and ensuring a peaceful transition of power.
- Write media collateral, including email pitches, media advisories, news releases, op-eds and talking points, among others.
- Advance the Partnership's thought leadership by working with the Director of Public Relations, Senior Media Relations Manager and the writing team to draft, edit and/or pitch op-ed pieces to major media outlets.
- Work with communicators at allied organizations on media and communications strategy around joint efforts and initiatives, including drafting partner messaging guidance.
KEY COMPETENCIES
- Superior written and verbal communications skills, with the ability to quickly learn and stay within the Partnership's voice.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced and rapidly changing environment, juggle multiple projects, work efficiently and meet deadlines.
- Ability to quickly conceive, organize and compose public messages, and to translate complex policy issues into everyday but compelling language.
- Passion and affinity for proactive media pitching.
- Very strong eye for detail and attention to quality.
- Strong organizational skills.
- Flexibility, a can-do attitude and willingness to pitch in.
- Excellent interpersonal skills and a proven track record collaborating on projects in a team environment.
- Strategic and creative thinking.
- Critical thinking, outstanding news judgment and political savvy.
- Commitment to the values of public service and the mission of the Partnership for Public Service.
REQUIRED/PREFERRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
- Five to seven years of progressively more responsible experience in media relations.
- A bachelor's degree in marketing, public relations, communications or similar field or combination of experience and education in professional work or military experience.
- Proven track record of earning national and trade media coverage.
- Strong, established relationships with journalists, especially in Washington D.C. preferred.
- Familiarity with AP style required.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY/REPORTING STRUCTURE
This position reports to the Senior Media Relations Manager. The position may supervise junior staff.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
This job operates in a hybrid (remote + office) environment in Washington, DC, and requires the candidate to be a permanent resident in the Washington, DC, Maryland or Virginia area. The person in this role is expected to work in the office, on average, two days per week. This position requires consistent use of office equipment such as computer, telephone, printer/scanner and MS Office.
In assessing employee performance at the Partnership, we consider collaboration, results, and demonstration of our values.
POSITION TYPE/EXPECTED HOURS OF WORK
This is a full-time exempt position with regular work hours Monday-Friday, 9 am to 6 pm. Additional work hours and evening or weekend activities may be required.
TRAVEL
This position will regularly travel locally within the D.C. metropolitan area. Some out-of-state and/or overnight travel for media meetings may be required.
SALARY AND BENEFITS
The starting salary range for this position is $70,000-$95,000. The Partnership offers a compensation package that includes a competitive salary; medical, dental and vision coverage; life insurance; long- and short-term disability insurance; a 401(k) program with a 4 percent employer match; opportunities for training and development; commuter benefits; 15 days of annual leave per year, 10 days of sick leave per year, plus all federal holidays and the day after Thanksgiving off; and use of an on-site exercise facility.
EEO STATEMENT
The Partnership adheres to all federal, state and local employment laws. Partnership for Public Service is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate against any applicants for employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, caste, national origin, citizenship, immigration status, veteran status, disability; or on any other basis prohibited by law.