Senior Communications Associate, Public Affairs

Job Description

Marathon Strategies, an independent communications and research firm, is looking for an energetic Senior Communications Associate with an entrepreneurial spirit to help drive and execute public affairs and communications initiatives for a diverse portfolio of corporate, nonprofit and political clients.

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We are looking for a strong writer and a strategic thinker well-versed in politics who can help drive sophisticated public affairs campaigns. You will have worked in a public affairs or public relations agency, news organization, political campaign or industry association. You will also have a network of relationships with D.C. and national media, possess excellent writing skills, and be resourceful, enthusiastic and able to thrive in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.

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Working with high profile political, nonprofit and corporate clients, the Senior Communications Associate will:

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Client Management

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• Supports multiple client account teams, and acts as the key day-to-day point of contact with at least one client.
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• Implements strategic communication initiatives and programs with minimal oversight
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• Understands environment in which client operates
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• Organize client work plans
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• Develop and cultivate a wide network of stakeholder relationships
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• Work with a team to execute strategic and creative public affairs communication campaigns for clients
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Content Development: Write and produce a range of materials such as press releases, op-eds, reports, memos, briefing books, and presentations. Over the course of a few months, minimal edits should be required of content by senior managers. Specifically, this includes, but is not limited to:

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• Op-eds: Draft and place a minimum of 2 op-eds per quarter across your respective accounts. Each op-ed should be clear and concise and incorporate best practices and feedback from client leads.
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• Briefing Books: Serve as the primary point of contact for drafting briefing books with background on the reporter, relevant coverage, sample talking points, and more ahead of each interview.
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• Press Releases: Take the lead on drafting press releases around company announcements or key milestones. Ensure that each release is well written, includes strong quotes, and is proofed.
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• Additional Collateral: Support the development of client memos, talking points, social media content calendars, LTEs, presentations, and more.
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Media & Social Monitoring: Proactively analyze the news and social media environment. This activity should inform strategic thinking and recommendations around media collateral, media lists, potential recommendations, etc. Specifically, this includes, but is not limited to:

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• Daily Research: Perform daily research into the industries your clients operate in to gain a better understanding of the broader landscape.
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• Daily Flagging: Proactively flag news stories, social media posts, and relevant reports in real-time to your internal team.
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• Daily Clips: For clients with formal clips, complete the daily set of clips on time and with minimal to no edits.
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• Social Media: Monitor social media and flag relevant posts in real-time.
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Media Engagement: Proactively identify and build meaningful relationships with reporters. Specifically, this includes, but is not limited to:

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• Media/Stakeholder Lists: Build targeted media and stakeholder lists to inform communications and outreach strategies. When developing media lists, it is important to ask key questions of team members on the types of reporters to be included, outlets, and more. Continuously update the media list as reporters leave outlets or join the industry.
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• Media/Stakeholder Relationships: Develop and cultivate a wide network of media and stakeholder relationships. Foster at least 3 new media relationships per quarter on behalf of your clients and identify opportunities for other teams as they arise.
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• Story Pitches: Develop and pitch original story ideas to a diverse range of media. Ensure that each story pitch is not only well written but is also grounded in meaningful datapoints and insights. Secure at least 2 placements for each client per quarter.
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• Media Internal Collaboration: Collaborate with specialty practice areas (Digital, Creative, Research) to develop and pitch original, compelling story ideas to a diverse range of media
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Project Management

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• Leads project management/workflow as it pertains to their clients
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• Collaborate with specialty practice areas (Digital, Creative, Research) and projects for clients beyond the communications scope.
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Experience and Qualifications:

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• 3-5 years’ experience in communications role in an in-house or consultancy environment.
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• Bachelor’s Degree in related field.
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• Experience implementing strategic communication programs for companies in the private and public sector.
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• Proactive: Keep a finger on the pulse of the news cycle and come to each internal call with a minimum of 1 proactive idea. Raise your hand to take on assignments and support each of your client teams where needed.
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• Managing Up: Prioritize managing up and letting each account lead know the status of projects. It is important for colleagues to be fully in the loop on pitching updates, deliverable timing, and so forth.
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• Attention To Detail: Each assignment should be shared in a client-ready format, including no formatting inconsistencies, grammar mistakes, and spelling errors.
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• Professionalism/Dependability: Consistently meet agreed-upon deadlines and demonstrate effective follow-through on short- and long-term tasks. Willing to work overtime when necessary and maintain client confidentiality.
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• Personal Accountability: Demonstrates accountability for work, takes ownership of projects/workstreams, and asks for and incorporates feedback.
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