Avid Core

Senior Director, Public Affairs

Avid Core

full-time

Posted on:

Location Type: Hybrid

Location: Washington • District of Columbia • Washington • United States

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Salary

💰 $155,000 - $175,000 per year

Job Level

Senior

About the role

  • Provide strategic counsel to senior leadership on public affairs strategy, messaging, and communications planning
  • Develop and oversee communications strategies related to federal programs, defense initiatives, and national policy issues
  • Lead media relations efforts including engagement with national, regional, and specialized defense and policy media outlets
  • Serve as a senior advisor on crisis communications, reputation management, and high-visibility communications challenges
  • Develop executive messaging materials including talking points, speeches, op-eds, briefing materials, and media statements
  • Support thought leadership initiatives including publications, panels, conferences, and strategic partnerships
  • Oversee development of public affairs campaigns that advance policy understanding and stakeholder engagement
  • Provide guidance on communications related to federal policy developments, regulatory changes, and national security issues
  • Coordinate messaging across internal teams, clients, and external partners to ensure alignment and consistency
  • Manage and mentor communications professionals and project staff supporting public affairs initiatives
  • Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) and oversee reporting on communications performance and impact
  • Support stakeholder engagement including policymakers, partner organizations, advocacy groups, and industry leaders
  • Advise on social media strategy, influencer engagement, and digital communications initiatives
  • Coordinate communications support for major announcements, events, briefings, and public engagement activities
  • Support proposal development and federal contract acquisition by advising on communications strategies and messaging
  • Identify emerging public affairs risks and opportunities affecting federal programs and agency initiatives
  • Provide training and guidance to clients and internal staff on media engagement and communications best practices

Requirements

  • 12–15+ years of experience in public affairs, strategic communications, government relations, or related fields
  • Demonstrated experience supporting or engaging with the Department of Defense (DoD)/Department of War (DoW) is required
  • Experience with higher education communications is desired
  • Strong understanding of federal policy processes, defense programs, and national security communications environments
  • Extensive experience managing media relations and working with national and policy-focused media outlets
  • Experience providing communications counsel to senior executives or federal leadership
  • Demonstrated success managing complex communications initiatives and reputation-management challenges
  • Proven leadership experience managing communications teams and mentoring staff
  • Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including executive-level messaging and strategic narrative development
  • Familiarity with digital communications, social media strategy, and modern communications analytics
  • Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and communications management tools.
Benefits
  • Comprehensive health insurance
  • Vision, dental, short-term and long-term disability
  • 401K with employer match (after six months of employment)
  • Federal and non-federal paid holidays
  • Flexible paid time off
  • Generous bonus program based on firm and individual performance
  • An opportunity to learn and grow in an inclusive and supportive environment with a fun team
Applicant Tracking System Keywords

Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.

Hard Skills & Tools
strategic communicationsmedia relationscrisis communicationsexecutive messagingpublic affairs campaignsstakeholder engagementcommunications performance reportingproposal developmentcommunications strategiesreputation management
Soft Skills
leadershipmentoringwritten communicationverbal communicationorganizational skillsproject managementstrategic narrative developmentalignment and consistencytraining and guidanceengagement with policymakers