Director, Media Relations

Job Location: Atlantic Council Headquarters – Washington, DC Employment Type: Full-Time Seniority Level: Director Job Category: Staff

Overview

The director of Media Relations leads the Atlantic Council’s media outreach and communications strategy, and serves on the leadership of the broader Engagement team. The director is responsible for bolstering the Council’s media profile—advancing its mission by amplifying its expertise, events, and publications through earned US and international coverage. The director also coordinates external communications efforts and campaigns across the institution.

The director reports to the Atlantic Council’s senior editorial director. The director works closely with the Council’s digital, editorial, and event-production teams; executive office; and the Atlantic Council’s various programs and centers.

This position is based at the Council’s Washington, DC headquarters. The director is expected in the office at least four days a week, and whenever the role requires.

The Atlantic Council offers a competitive compensation package commensurate with experience and education, with offers from $140,000 to $180,000, and the position is bonus-eligible. Applications submitted by November 1, 2026 will be prioritized for consideration.

Job Responsibilities

Media relations

• Manage the Atlantic Council’s media-relations operation, including full-time team members, partners, and vendors.
• Build and manage relationships with reporters, producers, bookers, and editors at top-level US and international print, digital, and broadcast outlets.
• Identify opportunities for and secure high-profile media coverage of Atlantic Council events and publications.
• Lead rapid response to the media on breaking news developments worldwide, inserting the Council’s expert views into the news cycle when they are most relevant.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for crisis communications and rapid response.
• Generate media partnerships that raise the visibility of Council events and initiatives.
• Coordinate efforts to secure media moderators and panelists.
• Edit and place opinion columns in leading outlets.
• Train staff on best practices for engaging with print, digital, and broadcast media.
• Travel as needed to support the Council’s global and flagship convenings.
• Establish Council experts as pre-eminent and visible sources of commentary and insight on international affairs.

Strategic communications

• Lead the Atlantic Council’s overall approach to external media as spokesperson, strategist, and advocate.
• Help to build greater public awareness of the Council, its influence, and the impact of its work, particularly in the press.
• Develop a strategy to increase the Atlantic Council’s presence on non-traditional media platforms, including engagement with podcasts and digital media influencers.
• Serve as a lead communications representative at the outset of major new Atlantic Council initiatives, defining a holistic communications framework including tactics and strategy.
• Oversee long-term communications planning for the Council’s programs and centers, working with each to define programmatic goals and a matching strategy.
• Manage the Council-wide communications calendar, including Council and external global events, to raise the organization’s profile around key moments.
• Develop the Council’s paid media strategy in partnership with colleagues.
• Lead and expand the Council’s evolving portfolio of media partnerships.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in international affairs, communications, journalism, or a related field.
• 7-10+ years of media relations, journalism, or strategic-communications experience, including at least three years managing staff.
• A robust network of active relationships with journalists at top-tier national and international outlets covering foreign policy, security, technology, and economics.
• Experience designing and leading organization-wide communications plans and campaigns across multiple teams or programs.
• A track record of securing high-impact coverage, including broadcast bookings and op-ed placements.
• Excellent writing and editing skills, with the ability to produce pitches, releases, and talking points on tight deadlines.
• Working knowledge of international affairs and the Washington policy landscape.
• Proficiency with social media, digital marketing, and AI tools.
• Proven judgment in crisis communications and in handling sensitive issues.
• Ability to work outside standard hours when breaking news or other time-sensitive matters require it.

Preferred

• Experience at a major newsroom, government agency or congressional office, international organization, or policy institution.
• Experience with media in Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Africa, or Latin America.
• Experience developing paid media strategies or managing media partnerships.
• Proficiency in a second language.
• Familiarity with media monitoring and database platforms such as Cision, Meltwater, or Muck Rack.

How to apply

To apply through the Atlantic Council careers page, submit a resume and cover letter. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, with those submitted by November 1, 2026, prioritized for consideration.

To produce quality work and to successfully achieve our mission, we recognize the need for our staff to maintain a healthy lifestyle and a work/life balance. Our comprehensive benefits package helps to keep costs low for our staff and their families. Benefits include, but are not limited to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance, paid time off, 403(b) plan, FSA options, pet insurance, Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligibility, and wellness benefits.