Communications Specialist - Sr

Communications Specialist - Sr

McLean, VA

Type: Contract

Category: Marketing

Industry: Financial Services

Reference ID: JN -052026-107045

Date Posted: 05/19/2026

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Description:

Hybrid in McLean, VA 2-3 days per week

Our client seeks a Sr. Public Relations Specialist (Contractor) to support Retail Bank and Mainstreet Card initiatives. The contractor will assist with proactive communications and influencer campaigns, collaborate with stakeholders, manage inbound media inquiries in partnership with escalation and crisis teams, develop executive-facing materials, and provide project management support. The role will also assist with measurement and reporting and help evaluate external engagements to mitigate reputational risk.

Due to client requirements, applicants must be willing and able to work on a w2 basis. For our w2 consultants, we offer a great benefits package that includes Medical, Dental, and Vision benefits, 401k with company matching, and life insurance.

Rate: $40.00 to $43.00/hr. w2

Responsibilities:

• Assist in the development and execution of proactive communication and influencer campaigns under guidance of senior team members.

• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to execute program elements.

• Liaise with media on inbound inquiries, partnering with Escalation, Issues, and Crises teams as needed.

• Create materials including media messaging, pitches, media lists, briefing books, and executive social posts.

• Partner with Escalations on customer inquiries and complaints to respond to media inquiries.

• Provide horizontal project management support, including workback plans, project trackers, and meeting action items.

• Assist with development of measurement and media coverage reports.

• Evaluate business partnerships and external engagements to mitigate reputational risk, including vetting speaking opportunities and Café-related initiatives.

• Support BAU communications, organize horizontal projects, and own smaller initiatives with oversight.

Experience Requirements:

• 3-5 years of external communications or public relations experience.

• Agency background preferred but not required.

• Experience in financial services, technology, or consumer brands preferred.

• Strong risk instincts and reputational risk awareness.

• Experience with media relations, stakeholder collaboration, and project management.

Education Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree or military experience.

Recruitment Transparency Notice

Eliassen Group values transparency in our recruitment practices. Please be advised that Eliassen Group utilizes artificial intelligence (AI) tools as part of its initial application screening and hiring process. You may receive email and SMS notifications from the Eliassen Virtual Recruiting Team ( View email address on click.appcast.io , View phone number on click.appcast.io) inviting you to complete a brief voice screening as part of your application process. These tools assist our hiring teams in different ways, including but not limited to, assistance in reviewing application materials to help identify candidates whose qualifications most closely match the requirements of the position. All AI-assisted evaluations and responses are reviewed by human recruiters before any hiring decisions are made. The use of AI in our process is intended to support fairness, efficiency, and consistency, and Eliassen Group takes measures to prevent bias or discrimination in connection with its hiring practices. By proceeding, you acknowledge, agree, and consent to Eliassen Group’s use of these tools, including AI tools, as part of the application and hiring process.

Skills, experience, and other compensable factors will be considered when determining pay rate. The pay range provided in this posting reflects a W2 hourly rate; other employment options may be available that may result in pay outside of the provided range.

W2 employees of Eliassen Group who are regularly scheduled to work 30 or more hours per week are eligible for the following benefits: medical (choice of 3 plans), dental, vision, pre-tax accounts, other voluntary benefits including life and disability insurance, 401(k) with match, and sick time if required by law in the worked-in state/locality.

If anyone reaches out to you about an open position connected with Eliassen Group, please ensure that you are working directly with us by confirming the following:

· When you work with Eliassen Group, all email communication will come from an Eliassen.com address, never Gmail, Yahoo, etc.

· Eliassen Group will never ask you for personal information (home address, bank account, or check routing number) until you have worked with someone clearly associated with Eliassen Group.

If you have any indication of fraudulent activity, please contact View email address on click.appcast.io .

About Eliassen Group:

Eliassen Group is a strategic consulting firm that helps organizations reach further and achieve more through our technology, business advisory, and life sciences solutions. For nearly 40 years, we have combined exceptional people, deep domain expertise, and intelligent capabilities to expand our clients’ capacity and accelerate meaningful outcomes. We are driven by a purpose to positively impact the lives of our employees, clients, consultants, and the communities we serve.

Eliassen is committed to building a diverse and inclusive team from a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We are an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer and all employment decisions are based on merit, performance, and business needs. Eliassen does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender identity or expression, sexual preference or orientation, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), marital status, creed, religion, physical or mental disability, genetic information, military or veteran status, age, ancestry, national origin, citizenship status, prohibited criminal record inquiries of applicants and employees, or any other category protected by federal, state, or local laws.

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