Managing Director of Media Engagement

Position Summary

Groundwork’s impact has grown considerably in recent years, including through the launch of our Economic Speakers Bureau, which is helping diversify the expert voices shaping news coverage of the economy. Groundwork seeks a Managing Director of Media Engagement to serve as a senior leader responsible for driving Groundwork’s press and media operations and expanding the reach and influence of our economic narrative work. This is a new role within the Groundwork communications team that integrates leadership of the Economic Speakers Bureau with management of our in-house press operation to build great connectivity and increase our ability to launch and sustain surround‑sound communications campaigns.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee all press and earned media operations at Groundwork, ensuring a coordinated, proactive, and high‑impact approach to earned media coverage across traditional, digital, and new media platforms.
• Translate Groundwork’s overarching communications strategy into targeted media campaigns, rapid response operations, and proactive press outreach efforts.
• Directly manage the press team (2‑4 staff), providing editorial direction, day‑to‑day supervision, and hands‑on support to build a high‑performing press operation.
• Lead and manage the Economic Speakers Bureau, working with the ESB’s pitching and booking operation to expand and steward Groundwork’s roster of expert spokespeople, coordinate placements, provide wraparound support to experts, and track impact across media channels.
• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with journalists, editors, producers, bookers, and hosts across national broadcast, print, digital, and new media outlets.
• Serve as a senior editorial voice on press materials, helping craft and edit press releases, media advisories, op‑eds, statements, talking points, and briefings, ensuring they are crisp, strategic, and on message.
• Monitor and analyze the daily news cycle and evolving media landscape to identify opportunities for Groundwork experts and research to shape national economic conversations.
• Work in coordination with Groundwork’s digital strategy team to ensure seamless integration and cross‑amplification between the digital and press operations to expand Groundwork’s communications footprint.
• Collaborate closely with the Policy, Advocacy, and Research and Partnerships teams to develop and execute integrated rollout plans for Groundwork reports, campaigns, major announcements, events, and partnerships.
• Advise the SVP of Communications on emerging press opportunities, risks, and trends, including shifts in the new and alternative media ecosystem.
• Represent Groundwork with media partners, coalition allies, and other external stakeholders as appropriate.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Key Qualifications

• 10–15+ years of progressive experience in advocacy, political or nonprofit external communications roles, with a significant portion in senior or leadership positions and a strong track record of generating high‑impact press coverage at the national level.
• Experience creating infrastructure, building teams, and working in close collaboration with other teams/verticals to advance organizational objectives.
• Deep, established relationships across the national media landscape, including broadcast bookers, producers, reporters, editors, and emerging voices in new and alternative media.
• Thoughtful approach to coaching, feedback, and professional growth; experience motivating teams to perform at a high level in dynamic environments.
• Sharp, fast writer and editor who can turn complex economic policy into compelling, accessible media content under deadline pressure.
• News‑fanatic who closely tracks economic and political narratives across a wide range of media outlets and understands what makes a story break through.
• Fluent in the new and alternative media space, including newsletters, podcasts, and media content creators; smart ideas for reaching audiences in a fragmented information environment.
• Savvy strategist who anticipates the news cycle, identifies the right moments for Groundwork’s voice, and builds the partnerships needed to amplify impact.
• Well‑versed in complex economic topics such as inflation, tax policy, or labor markets; energized by translating them into messaging that resonates with broad audiences.
• Organized, detail‑oriented, and thrives in fast‑paced, dynamic environments.
• Familiar with the progressive economic policy, think tank, and advocacy community in Washington, D.C., and on the Hill.
• Committed to a just, inclusive, and robust economy that delivers opportunity and dignity to all.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience running or overseeing a speakers bureau, surrogacy program, or similar expert deployment initiative.
• Senior press or communications leadership role in an advocacy organization, political campaign, congressional office, or government agency.
• Deep background or expertise in economic policy issues, including fiscal policy, labor, trade, or financial regulation.
• Strong existing relationships in new and alternative media, including podcast producers, content creators, and influencer networks.

Salary & Benefits

Salary range: $160,000 – $180,000 annually. Benefits include five weeks of vacation and personal leave, two week‑long office closures, additional time off for floating and federal holidays, zero‑premium health insurance, a generous HRA, a retirement contribution of up to 6%, up to 16 weeks parental leave, health club and cell‑phone reimbursements, and more.

Location & Schedule

Washington, D.C. Hybrid workplace: two days a week in the office and three days remote, with occasional in‑person work for events and special projects. Exempt position.

Reports to

Senior Vice President of Communications