Federal Communications Director

Position Overview

Pinkston is seeking an experienced Federal Communications Director to lead strategic communications for a major federal client in the health sector. As the dedicated, on-the-ground client lead, this individual will serve as a trusted advisor to senior government stakeholders, guiding strategy, overseeing execution, and ensuring excellence across all projects.

This position will be fully dedicated to federal contracts, with responsibility for one or more accounts. The Director will serve as the day-to-day face of Pinkston, leveraging the agency’s centralized creative, digital, and technical teams to deliver integrated solutions that meet client needs.

Additional Details

• Status: Exempt-Salaried
• Travel: Work on-site at a federal agency as required.
• Location: Washington, D.C.
• Reports to: Vice President, Federal

Requirements

Role Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary relationship manager and trusted communications advisor to senior federal agency stakeholders.
• Develop, oversee, and execute comprehensive communications and public affairs strategies aligned with client objectives.
• Draft and manage high-level public-facing content, including press releases, media engagement strategies, executive communications, fact sheets, FAQs, and talking points.
• Provide counsel on media relations, reputation management, and stakeholder engagement at the highest levels of government.
• Partner with Pinkston’s centralized creative, design, digital, video, research, crisis, and social teams to deliver best-in-class support.
• Manage both external communications (press, media, stakeholders) and internal communications (intra-agency, employee-facing) for a large, complex organization.

• Ensure all deliverables meet deadlines, budget parameters, compliance standards, and quality expectations.
• Anticipate client needs and provide proactive solutions in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
• Represent Pinkston with professionalism and credibility, including an on-site presence at the client agency to strengthen relationships.

Skills & Qualifications

Required 

• 7+ years of communications and media relations experience, preferably in health, science, or related fields.
• Demonstrated success working within or alongside federal agencies or large, complex organizations.
• Agency experience leading integrated, multi-channel campaigns and solutions for complex client challenges.
• Proven track record developing public affairs materials such as press releases, media strategies, executive briefing materials, and talking points.
• Strong understanding of the political landscape, policy dynamics, and emerging communications trends.
• Ability to build trusted relationships and engage effectively with senior executives in government or large organizations.
• Experience managing both internal and external communications at scale.
• Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, journalism, or related field (Master’s degree a plus).
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills.
• Highly detail-oriented, with strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment with the ability to operate independently.
• Willingness to work on-site at a federal agency as required.
• Alignment with Pinkston’s guiding principles.

Who We Are

Pinkston is a full-service branding, marketing, and communications agency offering integrated public relations, creative, digital, and research services to transform companies and organizations. As an outcome-driven agency, Pinkston is committed to delivering customized, strategic solutions that drive real-world impact.

Benefits

Pinkston offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes company-sponsored health, dental, and vision plans accompanied by employer-funded life insurance, HRA, and short-term disability plan. Optional long-term disability and additional Life Insurance are also available. Pinkston provides a 401k retirement plan and contributes to each employee’s retirement annually regardless of employee participation.

At Pinkston, we believe great things happen when people come together and are committed to building a collaborative in-person work environment. Pinkston is also committed to a healthy work-life balance. We offer flexibility through an innovative hybrid work model that gives team members the opportunity to work from home up to 30% of the time. Pinkston provides generous holiday and vacatio