Election & Issue Advocacy PR Director

Company: Ssmandl
Location: Washington
Posted on: June 1, 2025

Job Description:

Sunshine Sachs Morgan & Lylis is proud to represent clients across many industries including entertainment, social good, tech and lifestyle and we tell their stories through a variety of mediums. We know that even during the toughest times, our responsibility to our clients and each other can bring meaningful and long-lasting impact for those affected the most. We're proud of each and every campaign we execute, but you may be wondering why we don't have more than a landing page as our website. While many of our clients are household names (you know them, we're sure of it), our digital footprint is purposefully small. We fly under the radar and we like it that way.If you are fired up and ready to do good, join us!We have an immediate opening for an Election and Issue Advocacy PR Director with a focus on media relations to support election related projects. For this role, you have your pulse on the latest activities on the Hill, you understand the key issues that dominate 2024, you're familiar with activists/organizers and their work from local communities to the world stage, and you understand the potential of influence through the entertainment industry. We are looking for someone who wakes up every day checking news from the Beltway but knows how to communicate that work to voters across the country. Ideal candidates will have experience working at the intersection of campaigns/politics and entertainment with strong media relationships.SSM&L is an integrated agency, and this person should have the ability to provide communication counsel across earned, paid, online, offline, and more. Our account directors lead accounts, counseling the client, providing fresh ideas, motivating the team, ensuring goals are being met and---they still pitch media!Responsibilities Include:

• Client leadership and developing comprehensive communications campaigns, directing tactics that may incorporate PR, digital planning, creative content, and talent including traditional media, digital media and owned media.
• Developing strategic messaging for various audiences in many markets.
• Manage coalitions and establish a framework for effectiveness.
• Leading and executing thoughtful media strategies.
• Ability to coordinate and lead influencer and talent engagement.
• Distilling complicated policy efforts to mainstream consumer speak.
• Navigating complex/sensitive client issues with thoughtful counsel.
• Maintaining and developing relationships with reporters and relevant stakeholders.
• Leading client accounts, managing teams, and keeping management updated on progress or concerns.
• Conducting media trainings, regularly pitching media, and consistently bringing new ideas/tactics to the table.
• Partnering and collaborating with senior level colleagues throughout the agency on integrated (and bi-coastal) accounts.
• Leading new business meetings and creating proposals as needed.
• Training and mentoring junior staff on the inner workings and executions of current policies, social good movements and campaigns, PR, media relations, and overall work approach. This is incredibly important to us!
• Responding to client requests and ensuring requests are taken care of in an efficient manner.You should apply if:
  • You have at least 8 years working in media relations, specific experience as a communications director, press secretary or related experience.
  • You have political campaign, government or related experience.
  • You are incredibly organized and can establish systems to promote communication flow among many groups.
  • You have experience working in corporate social responsibility, corporate communications, community engagement, non-profit, public sector.
  • You've managed a team with direct oversight for at least 2 years (of those 8 mentioned above). (Bonus points if you've managed colleagues/projects in multiple cities simultaneously.)
  • You know how to navigate stakeholders, thought leaders, and media.
  • You are a strong writer - persuasive, concise, creative, and quick.
  • You have established press contacts and have your "go-to" folks to get that important message out.
  • You are a strategic thinker, bring new ideas to the table, and love a good brainstorm.
  • You have strong decision-making abilities and accountability; this is an important role, own it!
  • You have an innate curiosity and an entrepreneurial spirit. Have a suggestion on making something better? We encourage you to do it!
  • You are incredibly organized, detail oriented and able to excel at managing multiple projects simultaneously.
  • You're willing to work select evenings/weekends and travel when necessary.
  • You enjoy overdelivering rather than meeting expectations and take genuine pride in being part of something good.
  • You're passionate about social movements, addressing the climate crisis, and fighting for justice and equity.$95,000 - $110,000 a yearBenefits x PerksWe go well beyond the benefits that you're looking for like medical, dental, and vision plans, 401(k) with matching, annual merit-based bonuses, PTO, fertility, FSA for medical, childcare, and commuter expenses. Sunshine Sachs Morgan & Lylis offers those benefits and many perks including, a flexible work schedule, Work from Anywhere program, Summer Fridays, Wellness Days, and a 4-week sabbatical or trip to celebrate select anniversaries. We love to socialize so, we have collaborative workspaces, some offices even have rooftops, celebrations, networking opportunities, and community volunteering. We frequently mark opportunities to listen, learn and act throughout the year (Juneteenth, Election Day, International Women's Day, etc.).SSM&L is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and ability. We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, identity and expression, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.There's more!From day one, employees are carefully matched with a mentor to guide them on their path to success. Training and mentoring are a big deal here and since we are into promoting from within, we make sure to provide more than enough tools for you to learn and grow. We are proud to offer training throughout the year on topics for professional growth as well as personal growth. We have also developed a series of teaching workshops that are structured for each level of the company. Sunshiners also take love to take advantage of the monthly Meet the Media series where media contacts provide valuable insider info for pitching them and their colleagues.
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Keywords: Ssmandl, Annandale , Election & Issue Advocacy PR Director, Executive , Washington, Virginia