Account Director, Issue Advocacy & Social Impact

Job Description

Job Description

Sunshine Sachs Morgan & Lylis is a leading global communications agency built to navigate the complexities of a hyper-connected world. We represent the icons and innovators shaping culture—from global heritage corporations and high-growth tech startups to the non-profits, creative legends, and visionary founders who define the global discourse.

Our expertise spans the full cultural spectrum. We operate at the intersection of entertainment, social impact, corporate reputation, and consumer lifestyle, executing seamlessly across traditional media, social-first outlets, brand partnerships, and influencer ecosystems. Whether we are navigating complex crisis management, elevating advocacy campaigns, or launching global consumer brands, we are storytellers at our core.

You may notice our digital presence is purposefully understated. While our clients are global household names, we believe the best work happens when the spotlight stays firmly on those we represent. We fly under the radar by design - preferring to let our campaigns, and our results, speak for themselves.

If you're driven, intentional, and ready to do good, we're ready for you!

Sunshine Sachs Morgan & Lylis has an immediate opening for a strategic Account Director to join our Issue Advocacy practice in Washington, D.C. We are seeking a modern storyteller with at least eight years of experience, deep and trusted relationships across national and top-tier media, and a proven ability to secure earned coverage that shapes public conversation and drives real-world impact.

You understand that progress in 2026 is built at the intersection of policy, philanthropy, nonprofit leadership, corporate responsibility, and culture; and that complex ideas must translate into compelling stories that land far beyond the Beltway. You develop sharp media strategies, lead proactive and rapid-response engagement with journalists, and consistently place clients in the outlets and platforms that influence the country.

Our DC office operates as a two-way bridge, bringing the full strength of the firm into Washington while carrying Washington into national cultural, corporate, and creative conversations. We help clients outside D.C. navigate the policy landscape and help D.C.-based leaders break into mainstream media and expand their influence. This role requires creativity, initiative, and strong story-mining instincts, shaping clear narratives, and driving sustained, proactive visibility. You are as comfortable advising a CEO or foundation president as you are pitching a top-tier reporter, and you bring steady counsel, high standards, and a deeply collaborative approach.

• Advocacy Narrative Architecture: Lead the development of 360-degree communications campaigns for social good and advocacy clients. You bridge the gap between traditional media, digital mobilization, and creative content to ensure that complex issues are distilled into a narrative that moves the needle.
• Movement Building & Strategy: Act as a primary architect for issue-focused campaigns, CSR initiatives, and high-impact events. You understand how to navigate stakeholders and thought leaders to build coalitions that drive long-term social impact.
• Modern Media & Cultural Authority: Leverage an elite network of reporters and stakeholders. You don't just secure stories; you architect media strategies that reach voters and decision-makers where they live—online and offline.
• Policy Translation: Distill complicated policy efforts into persuasive, mainstream consumer speak. You have the unique ability to take dense legislative language and turn it into a story that inspires action and captures the public imagination.
• Executive Counsel & Leadership: Serve as a trusted daily advisor to clients, providing thoughtful counsel through sensitive issues and high-pressure moments. You lead with accountability, managing teams and ensuring that every strategic goal is met with precision.
• Integrated Collaboration: Partner with senior colleagues across our national offices on integrated accounts involving brand integration, influencer strategy, and digital creative. While we don’t expect you to be fluent in all these areas, the opportunity to work across them should excite you.
• Business Development: Lead new business meetings and assist in crafting sophisticated proposals. You are an entrepreneurial force, proactive about identifying new opportunities for clients and the agency.
• Mentorship : Proactively train and mentor junior staff on the inner workings of policy, PR, and the execution of social good movements. This is incredibly important to us; you are a natural coach who is invested in the professional growth of your team.
• Relationship Driven: You recognize that the work of advocacy is built on trust and shared purpose. You lead by example in every interaction—prioritizing integrity, transparency, and professional poise with your team, your clients, and the media.

• The Advocacy Specialist: You have at least 8 years of experience in media relations, specifically as a communications director, press secretary, or in a related government or non-profit role.
• The Strategic Architect: You are an outside-the-box thinker who can set a big-picture strategy and still lead the charge on media pitching. You know how to establish systems to promote communication flow among many diverse groups.
• Multidisciplinary Experience: You have worked in corporate social responsibility, community engagement, or the public sector. You are eager to touch a variety of clients and see every new account as an opportunity to grow your skills.
• An Exceptional Storyteller: You are a strong writer—persuasive, concise, creative, and quick. You can take a complex social issue and translate it into a narrative that compels an editor or an audience to take notice.
• Entrepreneurial & Agile: You have an innate curiosity and a desire to make things better. You thrive in a fast-paced environment and take genuine pride in the quality and impact of your work.
• Meticulously Organized: You excel at managing multiple projects simultaneously with shifting priorities. You are detail-oriented and take full ownership of your accounts and team performance.
• Driven by Purpose: You are passionate about social movements, addressing the climate crisis, and fighting for justice and equity. You enjoy over-delivering and being part of something that makes a tangible difference in the world.
• A Collaborative, Kind Teammate: Our DC office is a small, high-performing, deeply collaborative group. We are looking for someone who leads with generosity, approaches challenges with a solutions mindset, supports teammates, and understands that being thoughtful, respectful, and genuinely nice to work with is essential to our culture and our success.

Benefits x Perks

We go well beyond the benefits that you’re looking for like medical, dental, and vision plans, 401(k) with matching, annual merit-based bonuses, PTO, fertility, FSA for medical, childcare, and commuter expenses. Eligible employees at Sunshine Sachs Morgan & Lylis may access these benefits, along with many additional perks including, a flexible work schedule, Work from Anywhere program, Summer Fridays, Wellness Days, and a 4-week sabbatical or trip to celebrate select anniversaries. We love to socialize so, we have collaborative workspaces, some offices even have rooftops, celebrations, networking opportunities, and community volunteering. We frequently mark opportunities to listen, learn and act throughout the year (Juneteenth, Election Day, International Women’s Day, etc.).

SSM&L is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and ability. We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, identity and expression, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

There’s more!

From day one, employees are carefully matched with a mentor to guide them on their path to success. Training and mentoring are a big deal here and since we are into promoting from within, we make sure to provide more than enough tools for you to learn and grow. We are proud to offer training throughout the year on topics for professional growth as well as personal growth. We have also developed a series of teaching workshops that are structured for each level of the company. Sunshiners also take love to take advantage of the monthly Meet the Industry series where industry thought leaders provide valuable insider info on how to work with them and their colleagues.