Public Affairs Associate

SM+K is seeking a Public Affairs Associate to serve in a key support role working on the day-to-day operations of a diverse array of client accounts.

WHO YOU ARE:

• A strategic and creative thinker that can quickly understand and analyze complex challenges. 
• A constant innovator who prefers change and progress over routine. 
• Is inspired to make a change in the world through storytelling. 
• Thrives in fast-paced, growth-oriented environments.

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

• Support day-to-day client interaction and strategy implementation for a portfolio of clients; 
• Develop compelling content, such as website copy, social media posts, stakeholder communications, presentations, reports, memos, letters to the editor, and op-eds; 
• Oversee market research projects, including, but not limited to: (1) creating and/or updating existing stakeholder, influencer and media lists by identifying new and relevant contacts, (2) media activity reports using in-house monitoring tools, and (3) social media sentiment analysis reports; 
• Develop and execute innovative digital advertising strategies; 
• Contribute to creative brainstorming; 
• Implement public affairs and public relations campaigns for corporations, advocacy groups and non-profits; and 
• Assist in the proposal writing process.

YOUR EXPERIENCE:

As a qualified candidate, you have experience in all areas below:

• Demonstrate a deep understanding of social/political/economic issues relevant to client work; 
• Demonstrate ability to leverage social media platforms (Facebook/Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc.) and show knowledge/interest in social media trends; 
• Demonstrate knowledge of the basics of digital advertising; 
• Collaborate with managers and designers to develop compelling content and creative products; 
• Manage timelines, budgets, vendors and personnel for a fast-paced office in highly organized and efficient fashion;
• Communicate professionally – this role will include interfacing with clients, media and other external audiences, in addition to colleagues; 
• Have superior writing skills and verbal skills; 
• Manage trainees on large projects; 
• Distill critical data points and narratives through research; and 
• Meet simultaneous deadlines, troubleshoot and manage multiple projects at once.

As an exceptional candidate, you possess many of the following attributes:

• 1-3 years of work experience related to media relations, communications, and/or digital and social media strategy; 
• Political campaign, governmental and/or PR agency experience; 
• Intellectual curiosity about policy issues, business and media and where the three intersect;
• Knowledge about digital communications tools and social media; 
• Hands-on digital advertising experience is a plus; 
• Superior organizational skills and meticulous attention to detail; 
• A proven track record of successfully completing multiple projects under tight deadlines;
• Excellent writing, editing, research and presentation skills; and 
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite (Word, Excel, PPT, Outlook). 

Candidates need not possess every attribute listed above to qualify for a role. If you identify with this profile but don’t quite meet all of the criteria we strongly encourage you to apply to joining our winning team!

We offer a uniquely rich benefits package to support our team’s quality of life outside of work that includes:

• Medical, Dental and Vision insurance 
• Fully paid parental leave 
• 401(k) contributions 
• Flexible, hybrid work arrangements 
• 12 paid company holidays per year, up to 39 days individual paid time off 
• Winter break: Offices close the last week of the year