Director, External Communications and Media Relations

The Partnership for Public Service is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to building a better government and a stronger democracy. Central to this mission is our work to connect the government with those it serves by protecting it from harm and reimagining the way it works on behalf of the public.

Building on our over 20 years of experience, we:

• Prepare civil servants to navigate an increasingly complex federal environment
• Educate and engage the public about the value of government and how eroding its capacity hurts communities nationwide
• Collaborate with a range of stakeholders to advance bold reforms that seek to make our federal institutions more effective, responsive and accountable to the American people
• Equip and advise government leaders at the federal, state and local levels to develop critical skills for effective public service.

Our staff, diverse in experience and perspective, is mission-driven, creative, collaborative, optimistic and inclusive. Our work is strategic, fast-paced and guided by our values:

• Passion for public service and our work toward more effective government
• People who promote a culture of learning, leadership, collaboration, inclusion and respect
• Persistence to drive change, take strategic risks and deliver results
• Promise to be trustworthy, nonpartisan and fiscally responsible

We hire smart and friendly people who are great at what they do and good to one another in the process.

The Partnership for Public Service seeksa dynamic and strategic leader to serve as our Director of External Communications and Media Relations. This role is responsible for shaping and amplifying the Partnership’s public voice across media channels, driving new media and content partnerships, influencing public narratives about the role and purpose of government, and ensuring our mission, research and policy priorities are clearly and compellingly communicated to external audiences — from policymakers and press to stakeholders and the public.

Reporting to the Vice President of Communications and Engagement, this role will lead external communication strategies that elevate visibility, strengthen reputation and ensure consistency across all channels. Operating in a fast-paced, collaborative environment, the Director of External Communications and Media Relations will lead a six-person press and editorial team and will partner closely with cross-functional leaders across the team and organization.

This position will also play a central role in crisis communications and reputation management.

The ideal candidate is a strategic and creative thinker with a proven ability to use media relations and strategic communications as a tool to increase an organization’s visibility and advance policy and advocacy outcomes. The successful candidate will have exceptional writing and editing skills and will exhibit strong news judgment, political acumen and the ability to lead with calm and clarity during periods of crisis or heightened visibility.

• Oversee the Partnership’s proactive and rapid response media relations work and team by providing strategic direction and high-level oversight to elevate the Partnership as a local and national expert and leader in government reform.
• Monitor and analyze the current media and policy landscape to identify opportunities for engagement and proactive media strategies to support and amplify organizational priorities (e.g., op-eds, interviews and strategic content placement).
• Oversee rapid response communications during breaking news and relevant policy developments, ensuring timely, accurate and accessible messaging.
  
  Manage rapid response protocols, communication systems and decision-making frameworks.
• In partnership with the Vice President of Communications and Public Engagement, lead crisis communications, including reputational risk anticipation and response planning.
• In partnership with the Vice President of Communications and Public Engagement, develop and refine organizational messaging, brand voice and narrative strategies, ensuring they reflect the organization’s priorities and policy positioning.
• Serve…