Public Affairs Specialist

Job Description

Job Description

About the Humane Rescue Alliance (HRA)

For more than 150 years, the Humane Rescue Alliance has championed the protection of animals, support for people, and service to the community. With campuses in the District of Columbia and New Jersey, along with the nation’s leading pet transport initiative, it stands as the largest and most comprehensive animal services provider in the region. Each year, HRA transforms the lives of tens of thousands of animals through rescue and adoption, humane protection, access to medical care, innovative community programs, and legislative leadership. Its broad reach and deep expertise enable HRA to reimagine traditional sheltering and address the most complex challenges facing animals and the people who love them.  

Job Summary

The Public Affairs Specialist supports the execution of the Humane Rescue Alliance’s public affairs strategy, including media engagement, corporate partnerships, community outreach, and external-facing events. Reporting to the Director of Public Affairs, this role focuses on implementing engagement initiatives that enhance brand visibility, strengthen corporate and civic relationships, and support annual fundraising goals.

This position works collaboratively with the Development team to ensure corporate sponsorship activity aligns with revenue objectives while maintaining consistent messaging and organizational positioning. The Specialist serves as a key external representative of HRA and helps advance the organization’s reputation, influence, and mission impact.

HRA and St. Hubert’s operate under two brands. This role primarily supports the Washington, DC campus while partnering across campuses to ensure consistent external engagement effort.

The Role: What You’ll Do

Media & Communications Support

• Serve as a point of contact for routine media inquiries.
• Draft press releases, media advisories, statements, and background materials.
• Coordinate interviews and prepare briefing materials for organizational spokespeople.
• Monitor media coverage and maintain tracking reports.
• During Director absence, manage day-to-day media coordination with established escalation protocols for strategic or sensitive matters.

Government & Community Relations Support

• Coordinate meetings and logistics with elected officials, community leaders, and key stakeholders.
• Monitor local legislative and civic developments and flag relevant updates to leadership.
• Assist in preparation of talking points, briefing materials, and stakeholder communications.
• Support public affairs initiatives designed to advance HRA’s policy and community engagement priorities.

Digital Media 

• Contribute to and execute integrated social media strategies, managing content creation and storytelling for HRA’s social media channels in alignment with organizational brand, communications, and engagement goals. 
• Support Marketing Specialist in maintaining the content calendar.
• Read, review, and respond to the community through social media channels.

Corporate Partnerships & Sponsorship Management

• Manage and steward an assigned portfolio of corporate sponsors and business partners.
• Identify and cultivate prospective corporate sponsors in coordination with the Director of Public Affairs and Development leadership.
• Draft sponsorship proposals, agreements, and benefit summaries.
• Ensure fulfillment of sponsor benefits, recognition, and reporting commitments.
• Track corporate engagement activity and maintain accurate records in CRM systems.
• Contribute to annual corporate revenue goals through strategic outreach, sponsor retention, and expansion of partnerships.

Events & Community Engagement

• Lead coordination and logistical execution of external-facing events, corporate activations, and community engagement initiatives.
• Manage sponsor activation, benefit fulfillment, and on-site representation at events.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams to support successful execution of events and activations.
• Represent HRA at community gatherings, business forums, and civic meetings as delegated.

About You: Skills & Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience managing partnerships, sponsorships, or external engagement initiatives.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with experience drafting media and external materials.
• Experience coordinating events or managing multi-stakeholder projects.
• Strong project management and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Professional presence and confidence representing the organization in external settings.
• Familiarity with CRM systems such as Raiser’s Edge preferred.
• Commitment to HRA’s mission and values.

Qualifications – Education & Experience

• 4–6 years of experience in communications, public affairs, nonprofit engagement, corporate relations, or related field.
• Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, nonprofit management, political science, or related field preferred.
• An equivalent combination of education and professional experience may be considered.