Senior Principal Strategist, Media Relations

The general salary range for this position is $116,000-$140,000 Salary offers will be commensurate with experience, qualifications, skills, training and education.

The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), the nation’s most effective animal advocacy organization, is seeking a Senior Principal Strategist, Legislation and Law for the Media Relations department.   This position is responsible for initiating, executing and overseeing strategic media relations plans to increase media coverage for our federal priorities and litigation efforts, especially the work of the Humane Society Legislative Fund (HSLF). The position will build our overall brand and raise public, donor and policymaker awareness of our regulatory, political and legal efforts on behalf of animals.

You will be responsible for:

• Proactively strategizing, overseeing, developing and executing media relations campaigns in coordination with the HSLF, Comms and media relations leadership and staff, with a particular focus on media and relationships that will boost our efforts with legislative, regulatory and political work, including federal administrative petitions, and proactive and defensive legal efforts. Evaluating projects related to strategic priorities, and associated media opportunities, prioritizing those that offer the highest return on investment;

• Pitching and/or advising on pitching of media to garner attention for domestic federal priority work, with a focus on Capitol Hill, political media and Washington, DC, media markets. Meeting with and cultivating relationships with reporters in that media market. Pitching and/or advising on pitching of media to garner attention for electoral work, including endorsements, in regional media markets;

• Strategizing collaboratively with internal stakeholders on key initiatives and provide direction, training and counsel to HSLF, APL, Comms and media relations specialists and coordinators on strategy, media relation practices and writing. Coordinating joint efforts with other departments and entities within the greater Humane Society family of organizations;

• Fielding media inquiries, performing background research, and developing messaging with appropriate spokespeople. Providing reporters with background information, video, and photos and schedule interviews with issue experts;

• Monitoring press coverage for enterprising media opportunities; then taking immediate action using sound judgment, proven decision-making skills and effective strategy;

• Writing, editing, and routing press releases, advisories, pitch letters and other collateral material for the news media;

• Developing targeted lists and disseminate press releases and other materials to targeted contacts.

Qualifications and Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in public relations, communications, journalism, or English, or equivalent work experience? Graduate degree preferred;

• A minimum of 8 years of experience in Capitol Hill, federal agency and/or political campaigns media relations; preference for expertise and awareness of national animal welfare issues;

• Strong familiarity with the current political landscape required; Capitol Hill, federal agency and/or political campaign experience strongly preferred;

• The ability to manage press events and attend in-person events in the DC region on short notice; 

• Demonstrated working knowledge of national and political media, various media directories and public relations computer programs and processes;

• Proven record of successful enterprising public relations efforts;

• Excellent communication (written and oral) skills with the ability to translate information into a meaningful, understandable context and message, regardless of the format (e.g., documents, public speaking situations, presentations, etc.);

• The ability to build and foster effective relationships by reinforcing trust and respect, and demonstrating high standards of tact, diplomacy and discretion;

• A high level of confidence, integrity, interpersonal skills, and a professional presence for effectively interacting with and influencing others, internal and external to the organization, as well as for facilitating meetings and conducting public speaking/presentations;

• Demonstrated propensity to be creative, proactive, and self-motivated in the execution and completion of assigned accountabilities;

• Ability to work both independently and as an effective team member, collaborating across multiple departments;

• The ability to travel occasionally for media cultivation and pitching in major markets, as well as press conferences or related events;

• A commitment to animal protection/welfare is highly desired.

This position is in the DC Metro Area with the ability to work remote.

Please submit your resume and cover letter as one document.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, marital or parental status or protected veteran status. EOE