Strategic Communications Manager

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Strategic Communications Manager

🔹 Company: Public Citizen

🔹 Location: Washington, DC

🔹 Job Type: Full-Time

🔹 Category: Public Policy

🔹 Date Posted: April 25, 2025

🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years

🔹 Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Developing and implementing strategic communications plans
• Collaborating with press officers and digital media staffers
• Pitching and building relationships with journalists and platforms
• Writing and editing various materials, including blog posts, op-eds, and press releases

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong understanding of the political news landscape and the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Develop and implement strategic communications plans for specific campaigns and issues

✅ Collaborate with Public Citizen press officers and digital media staffers to identify interesting intersections, narratives, and themes across issue areas

✅ Identify, pitch, and develop relationships with journalists and platforms that cover our issues

✅ Communicate regularly with Public Citizen's policy experts to develop a deeper understanding of our priorities and goals

✅ Write and edit blog posts, op-eds, letters to the editor, press releases, press statements, media advisories, notes to reporters, editorial board memos, quote sheets, talking points, fact sheets, and other written materials as needed

✅ Keep up with breaking news and incorporate it into strategic communications plans, identifying media opportunities to get out our key messages

✅ Assist in planning and executing press conferences, media briefings, and other press events

✅ Provide digital media staffers with topline messaging from press releases, statements, and other press materials

✅ Other duties as assigned

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of organization, attention to detail, and the ability to juggle multiple tasks simultaneously under deadline pressure.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in a related field preferred

Experience: At least 4+ years of experience in a leadership role in communications, with a track record of success in building and implementing strategic plans that produce high-profile exposure

Required Skills:

• Strong writing and editing abilities
• Comfortable with frequent on-background communications with reporters over phone and email
• Organized and conscientious
• Ability to juggle many tasks simultaneously and under deadline pressure
• Ability to work in a fast-paced and demanding environment

Preferred Skills:

• Familiarity with Cision, Wordpress, TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and similar platforms

ASSUMPTION: Candidates should have a solid understanding of national current events, particularly relating to money in politics, democracy, and other major issues of the day.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $65,227 to $116,813

Benefits:

• Great medical and dental coverage, 100% paid by PC, including full coverage for children
• Three weeks paid vacation for new employees, plus five personal days
• 401K plan with a 5% contribution from PC after one year of employment
• 12 weeks of paid parental leave after one year of employment
• Sabbatical after 10 years of employment
• Student loan reimbursement program

Working Hours: 40 hours per week

ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is based on the organization's size and the role's requirements. The benefits listed are standard for non-profit organizations of this size.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Public Citizen is a non-profit consumer advocacy organization that champions the public interest in the halls of power. They focus on defending democracy, resisting corporate power, and ensuring that government works for the people.

Company Size: Public Citizen has 51-200 employees, providing a mid-sized organization structure where applicants can expect a moderate level of hierarchy and established processes.

Founded: Public Citizen was founded in 1971 and has since grown to have over 400,000 members and supporters throughout the country.

Company Description:

• Public Citizen takes no government or corporate money and does not participate in partisan political activities or endorse any candidates for elected office.
• The organization uses various tools to take on big fights and win, including mobilizing activists, watching Congress, suing the government, petitioning regulatory agencies, and conducting cutting-edge research.
• Public Citizen has a strong commitment to transparency, accountability, and public participation in government.

Company Specialties:

• Reform
• Progressive advocacy
• Social justice
• Democracy
• Free speech
• Watchdog

Company Website: www.citizen.org

ASSUMPTION: Public Citizen's mission and values align with those of an organization that prioritizes the public interest and seeks to hold power accountable.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: This role is at the senior manager level, requiring significant experience and leadership in communications.

Reporting Structure: The Strategic Communications Manager reports directly to the Director of Communications and works closely with the Deputy Director of Communications.

Work Arrangement: This is an on-site position based in Washington, DC, with no remote work arrangement mentioned.

Growth Opportunities:

• Potential advancement to a director-level role within the communications department or a similar role in another department
• Opportunities to lead and mentor junior team members
• Possibility to expand the role's scope based on organizational needs and the individual's performance

ASSUMPTION: Growth opportunities in this role are likely to be tied to the individual's performance, the organization's needs, and the availability of higher-level positions within the communications department or other departments.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Public Citizen's headquarters is located in Washington, DC, with a professional and collaborative work environment.

Office Location(s): 1600 20th Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20009, US

Geographic Context:

• The DC area has a high concentration of non-profit organizations, think tanks, and advocacy groups, providing ample networking and collaboration opportunities.
• The cost of living in the DC area is higher than the national average, with a higher cost of housing in particular.
• The DC area offers a diverse range of cultural, historical, and recreational activities.

Work Schedule: The work schedule is Monday through Friday, with the possibility of occasional weekend or evening work for press events or breaking news.

ASSUMPTION: The work environment at Public Citizen is likely to be fast-paced, collaborative, and focused on achieving specific goals and objectives.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Initial phone or video screening with the hiring manager
• In-person or virtual interview with the hiring manager and a panel of team members
• Final interview with the director of communications
• Background check and reference check

Key Assessment Areas:

• Writing and editing skills
• Strategic planning and execution
• Media relations and pitching skills
• Collaboration and teamwork
• Adaptability and ability to work under pressure

Application Tips:

• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
• Provide specific examples of your strategic communications plans and their outcomes
• Demonstrate your understanding of Public Citizen's mission and values in your application materials
• Prepare thoughtful questions to ask during the interview to show your interest in the role and the organization

ATS Keywords: Strategic Communications, Press Relations, Digital Media, Writing, Editing, Media Outreach, Collaboration, Attention to Detail, Organizational Skills, Deadline Management, Current Events Knowledge, Public Interest Work, Fast-Paced Environment, Campaign Strategy, Journalist Relations, Social Media

ASSUMPTION: The application process for this role is likely to be competitive, with a high volume of applicants. Tailoring your application materials to the specific requirements and preferences of the organization is essential.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• Cision
• Wordpress
• TikTok
• Instagram
• YouTube
• Microsoft Office Suite

ASSUMPTION: Familiarity with these tools and technologies is preferred but not required. The organization may provide training or support for candidates who are not familiar with these tools.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Accountability
• Transparency
• Public participation in government
• Defending democracy
• Resisting corporate power

Work Style:

• Collaborative
• Fast-paced
• Results-driven
• Adaptable
• Committed to public interest work

Self-Assessment Questions:

• How do you align with Public Citizen's commitment to accountability and transparency in your previous roles?
• How do you handle working in a fast-paced, collaborative environment, and what specific examples can you provide?
• How do you approach strategic planning and execution, and can you provide an example of a successful campaign you've led?

ASSUMPTION: Public Citizen values candidates who are passionate about their mission, committed to public interest work, and able to thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• The fast-paced nature of the role may require working long hours or on weekends to meet deadlines
• The organization's focus on high-profile exposure may result in a high workload and pressure to achieve specific outcomes
• The competitive nature of the public policy landscape may require constant adaptation and innovation in communications strategies
• The cost of living in the DC area may be a challenge for some candidates

ASSUMPTION: These challenges are inherent to working in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment and should be carefully considered by candidates.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• Compared to similar roles in public relations agencies, this role may have less focus on client management and more emphasis on advocacy and public interest work
• Compared to roles in corporate communications, this role may have less focus on brand management and more emphasis on issue advocacy and public education
• Compared to roles in government communications, this role may have more flexibility in messaging and less focus on adherence to specific regulations or protocols

ASSUMPTION: This role is unique in its focus on strategic communications for a non-profit consumer advocacy organization, with a specific emphasis on public interest work and defending democracy.

📝 Sample Projects

• Developing and executing a strategic communications plan to raise awareness of a specific policy issue, including targeted media outreach, digital advocacy, and event planning
• Writing and editing a series of op-eds, blog posts, and press releases to frame a specific narrative around a breaking news story or policy development
• Collaborating with a team of press officers and digital media staffers to coordinate a rapid response to a breaking news story, including real-time media monitoring and messaging

ASSUMPTION: These sample projects are intended to illustrate the types of tasks and responsibilities that may be required in this role, but the specific projects may vary based on the organization's priorities and needs.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• Can you describe the team structure and dynamics within the communications department?
• How does the communications department collaborate with other departments within the organization?
• What are the most pressing communications challenges facing the organization in the near future?
• How does the organization support the professional development and growth of its employees?
• What are the key priorities for this role in the first 30, 60, and 90 days?

ASSUMPTION: Asking thoughtful, well-researched questions during the interview demonstrates your interest in the role and the organization and provides valuable insights into the work environment and expectations.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application through this link
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
• Prepare for the interview by researching the organization, its mission, and its recent work
• Prepare thoughtful questions to ask during the interview to show your interest in the role and the organization
• Follow up with the hiring manager after the interview to reiterate your interest in the role and thank them for their time

⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.