Senior Manager, Communications

REPORTS TO: Vice President, Strategic Communications and Marketing
DIRECT REPORTS: Communications Associate
SALARY RANGE: $72,164 – $162,369

About the Public Affairs Council

The Public Affairs Council is the leading organization for public affairs professionals worldwide. Launched in 1954 at the urging of President Dwight D. Eisenhower, we are both nonpartisan and nonpolitical. Our mission is to advance the field of public affairs and provide our 700-plus member companies and associations with the executive education and expertise they need to succeed while upholding the highest ethical standards.

Our Standards of Excellence

Every team member is expected to embody these seven standards:

• Act with Integrity – Do the right thing, always.
• Collaborate to Succeed – Leverage diverse perspectives for superior outcomes.
• Adopt a Bias for Action – Move quickly on opportunities with informed decisions.
• Embrace Accountability – Own your outcomes and take full responsibility for results.
• Pioneer Innovation and Forward-Thinking – Challenge conventional approaches.
• Pursue Knowledge and Utilize New Insights – Commit to continuous learning and application.
• Champion Nonpartisanship Across All Perspectives – Value diverse viewpoints objectively.

Position Overview

The Senior Manager, Communications leads the Council’s integrated communications strategy, advancing its reputation as the world’s foremost authority on public affairs. This role combines strategic leadership with active execution, managing media relations, editorial content, social media storytelling, and internal communications to ensure the Council’s voice is consistent, credible, and impactful across all platforms.

The Senior Manager crafts messages that shape public perception, support leadership visibility, and strengthen member engagement. This role leads organizational voice and editorial standards; partners with Marketing for campaign amplification and with Digital Experience for design and web presentation.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Communications & Reputation Management

• Develop and execute an integrated communications strategy that positions the Council as a global thought leader in public affairs.
• Serve as the organization’s lead on media engagement, external messaging, and brand positioning.
• Partner with leadership to anticipate reputational risks and lead crisis communications response planningand execution.
• Draft and edit executive statements, speeches, and opinion pieces for public dissemination.
• Ensure message consistency across all communication channels and stakeholder groups.

Media Relations & Thought Leadership

• Build and maintain strong relationships with journalists, editors, and media partners.
• Pitch stories, respond to media inquiries, and prepare Council leadership for interviews and speakingengagements.
• Draft, edit, and distribute press releases, statements, and media advisories.
• Identify and develop opportunities to showcase the Council’s expertise through op-eds, features, andbylined articles.
• Track media coverage, analyze trends, and produce insights for leadership.

Social Media & Digital Storytelling

• Lead strategy and day-to-day execution of the Council’s social media channels to advance visibility, engagement, and brand alignment.
• Develop campaigns and digital storytelling content that amplify the Council’s thought leadership and member community.
• Collaborate with the Digital Experience team to optimize content presentation and reach.
• Monitor analytics to evaluate performance and guide content adjustments.
• Ensure social media activity aligns with the Council’s nonpartisan positioning and professional standards.

Editorial Content & Publications

• Oversee development and production of newsletters and content for external audiences.
• Oversee editorial and design production of Council research and publications.
• Write and edit high-quality content that advances the Council’s brand narrative.
• Maintain an editorial calendar aligned with key programs, initiatives, and campaigns.
• Partner with the Marketing team to ensure consistent message and tone across campaigns and publications.
• Provide editorial oversight and mentorship to the Communications Specialist, ensuring quality, clarity, and brand alignment.
• Oversee editorial quality and ensure all content aligns with the Council’s voice, tone, and brand standards

Internal Communications & Collaboration

• Lead internal messaging efforts, including staff announcements, leadership communications, and internal newsletters.
• Support organizational transparency and culture through consistent internal storytelling.
• Coordinate cross-functionally with Marketing and Digital Experience to ensure unified voice across allcommunications.
• Provide communications counsel to program teams to enhance message effectiveness and consistency.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, or related field.
• 8+ years of experience in communications, media relations, or public affairs, preferably in an association,nonprofit, or corporate setting.
• Proven experience in managing media relationships, crisis communications, and executive messaging.
• Excellent writing, editing, and storytelling skills with demonstrated versatility across channels andaudiences.
• Experience managing social media strategy and analytics.
• Familiarity with public policy, government affairs, or corporate communications environments.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree in Communications, Journalism, or related field.
• Experience leading communications in a membership or professional association environment.
• Familiarity with content management systems and email marketing platforms.
• Comfort working with design and video tools for digital content creation.
• Media training or spokesperson experience on behalf of an organization.

Core Competencies

• Strategic Communication: Develops and executes communications strategies that enhanceorganizational reputation and reach.
• Crisis Management: Anticipates issues and leads effective, timely responses that safeguard credibility.
• Storytelling Excellence: Crafts compelling, accessible narratives across digital and traditional media.
• Media Relations Expertise: Builds strong, trusted relationships with journalists and influencers.
• Collaboration: Partners effectively across teams to ensure consistent messaging and integrated outcomes.
• Leadership: Mentors others and sets a high standard for professionalism, accuracy, and integrity.

Position Attributes

• Results-Oriented: Driven to deliver measurable communications impact and elevate brand visibility.
• Composed Under Pressure: Maintains poise and sound judgment in fast-moving or sensitive situations.
• Creative & Curious: Constantly explores new formats, channels, and stories to connect with audiences.
• Ethical & Nonpartisan: Upholds the Council’s integrity and objectivity in all public representations.
• Detail-Oriented: Produces accurate, polished work under tight deadlines.
• Collaborative: Works inclusively and effectively across functions and levels.

Location & Work Arrangement

Headquarters: Washington, D.C. (with European office in Brussels).
Work Model: Hybrid arrangement with regular in-person presence expected for optimal team collaboration.
Travel: Occasional travel for conferences and events.

Benefits

The Public Affairs Council offers a competitive benefits package that includes paid time off (PTO), medical insurance, life insurance, retirement benefits, and time off for federal holidays.

How to Apply

Please send a resume and cover letter to [email protected] with the subject line: Senior Manager, Communications

The Public Affairs Council is an equal opportunity employer. Employment at the Public Affairs Council is based solely on a person’s merit and qualifications directly related to professional competence. The Public Affairs Council does not discriminate against any employee or applicant because of race, creed, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, military status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.