Director, Public Affairs, Earned Media (Washington, D.C.)

Who We Are

Bryson Gillette is a California-based, minority-owned, intentionally-diverse strategic communications and public affairs firm dedicated to serving the needs of its clients and delivering results. With expertise in strategic communications, media relations, crisis communications, and political consulting, we develop tailored strategies that shape narratives around the issues that matter to clients and address their most pressing communications needs.

We work with nonprofits, progressive organizations, major companies, national law firms, and political candidates. Our partners and vendors are also leaders in their fields. We are based out of Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles, and are currently working in a hybrid capacity in these locations. Although we are an entirely remote firm, our preferences are for either DC-area or California-based applicants.

We are also a fun, smart, collaborative group who care about the world around us and seek to make positive change at home and across the country. We are experts without egos and creatives without control issues. Come work with us and you’ll learn a lot, make an impact, and have fun doing it.

We are an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, ethnicity, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, and/or veteran status.

Bryson Gillette is a mandatory vaccination employer for COVID-19. We require employees to be fully vaccinated as of their start date. If you require medical or religious accommodation, we will engage in an interactive process with you.

Who You Are

You are a smart, kind, and friendly individual who works hard and well with others. You are an exceptional communicator who produces excellent, strategic, and creative work, while also bringing a lot of heart to everything you do. People describe you as a self-starter and problem-solver, who multitasks well and thrives in a fast-paced environment. You bring a diverse perspective to every conversation, while also listening and empathizing. Above all, you want to leave a lasting, positive impact on the world around you. Ideally you've served 1 as a press secretary for an elected, a government agency or a top advocacy organization.

What You’ll Do:

• Engage media: You will create and execute earned media strategies. You have multiple years of experience working with the national media, including in crisis situations, as a national press secretary or equivalent role in an organization or agency. You have landed and managed stories at top tier media but also know how to create evergreen media moments. You know what makes a good story and how to communicate with reporters, and can win or kill a NYTimes front page story before breakfast. Ideally you have existing relationships with senior level reporters and editors, in a variety of beats.
• Communicate clearly: You will lead on public affairs campaigns by developing and executing high-level strategic communications plans. You will discover and understand the needs and goals of each client and create a tailored communications approach for each. We pride ourselves on creating bespoke campaigns; we want you to be creative, responsive, and a strategic partner. You are an expert at writing a range of communications, including media advisories, talking points, proposals, op-eds, ad concepts, scripts, social media content, and other content.
• Build relationships with stakeholders: It will be important for you to build relationships with clients, team members, and vendors, and to do so in a remote environment. Building rapport over the phone, zoom, and email is crucial. Upholding a strict level of confidentiality, while establishing and maintaining trusting and warm relationships both internally and externally is key.
• Be a team player and grow: We are currently a mid-sized team but are continually growing. We have an all-hands-on-deck approach in a remote working environment. To be successful in this role, you will be comfortable working both independently and with teams.

What Skills and Experiences You’ll Bring

• Exceptional written and oral communication skills
• Strong reporter relationships