Press Officer

Description of Position:

The Press Officer will advance OEA’s work on multiple fronts to amplify DFC’s impact story for target audiences across the United States and internationally. This will include services directly applied to the integral effort to further DFC’s assigned mission, including directly representing DFC with the media and other stakeholders; building relationships and pitching media on timely opportunities for DFC coverage aligned with strategic priorities; ensuring timely, compelling, and accurate responses to media inquiries; and coordinating with clients and partners on their media engagement efforts. This individual will support DFC’s Director of Media Relations, Managing Director of Communications, and Vice President of External Affairs.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

• Pitch media on DFC coverage opportunities, including interviews and briefings with DFC senior leadership.
• Develop press guidance for senior leadership and for use agencywide, ensuring protection of government interests and appropriate public disclosure.
• Identify pitching opportunities by researching trending stories and maintaining targeted media lists, including outlets relevant to business, development, and foreign policy stakeholders.
• Write and clear DFC press releases and manage distribution lists.
• Support planning and execution of background briefings and relationship-building with key media contacts.
• Develop and maintain press materials such as talking points, Q&A documents, and reactive statements for crisis situations.
• Organize and coordinate media interviews, thoroughly vetting opportunities and setting ground rules.
• Respond to media inquiries by liaising with relevant stakeholders and managing approval processes for responses.
• Develop briefing materials for CEO and senior leadership ahead of media interviews, including messaging strategy and background research.
• Proactively monitor current events and recommend/respond to emerging issues.
• Support senior leadership during media engagements and provide issue-specific guidance.
• Coordinate with clients and U.S. Government partners to ensure media engagement is accurate and strategically aligned.
• Support additional public affairs functions, such as drafting marketing content, social media, web content, speeches, and op-eds.

Qualifications:

Must be a U.S. Citizen and capable of obtaining a public trust.

Education:

The PSC shall have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in journalism, English, communications, or a related field.

Experience:

The PSC shall have a minimum of ten (10) years of experience in media relations, preferably in a communications or journalism role. Specialized experience must include the following, as demonstrated in a resume:

• Excellent grammar, spelling, and punctuation skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment and meet tight deadlines.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to multitask.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

Preferred Experience:

Direct experience working with U.S. national and top-tier media is preferred.

EEO Statement

XLA is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals and is an equal opportunity employer committed to supporting equality and integrity in the workplace, professional development and education, and an entrepreneurial atmosphere.

We encourage qualified individuals with disabilities to apply. If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process or to perform essential job functions, please contact our HR team by phone at 703-584-8317 or via email at [email protected]. For persons who are deaf, hard of hearing, deafblind, or deaf-disabled, XLA will provide an American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter where needed as a reasonable accommodation for the hiring processes.

We are proud to be an EEO/VETERAN EMPLOYER.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their protected veteran or disabled status and will not be discriminated against for self-identifying with either category.

Learn more here