Director, Advocacy and Engagement — Dallas

Director, Advocacy and Engagement
Corporate Partnerships Practice Group — Dallas

Posted 2/22/10

Job Description
Public Strategies offers clients a unique mix of talent combining corporate, government, policy, media, creative, and entrepreneurial experience. Through its patented Fifth Seat® discipline, Public Strategies ensures that public opinion is carefully considered and put to use as a strategic asset by its corporate clients. The firm employs the elements of winning political campaigns (sound research, finely honed strategy, and tactical implementation) to address its clients’ needs, whether for crisis preparedness and response strategy, strategic business management consultation, or public-opinion risk assessment.

The Director, Advocacy and Engagement, works closely with and under the general direction of the Practice Group Leaders and the Managing Director of a major global telecommunications client account at Public Strategies.  The Director oversees the execution of team activities on the client account, coordinates client communications around advocacy and engagement, and provides account management and direction.

Responsibilities

Client Interaction:

  • Works with client to develop and implement grassroots strategy, including preparing op-ed pieces, letters to the editor, speeches, Q and A documents, and any other materials required to wage national campaigns.
  • Builds on and maintains positive relationships with third party groups.
  • Requires keen instincts regarding the legislative and regulatory processes in order to provide insight to the client.
  • Participates in weekly war room coordination conference call with broad range of client and consultant partner participants.

Strategic Thinking:

  • Anticipates and identifies current and emerging issues and trends.
  • Contributes to strategic thinking and planning around existing and expanding scope of advocacy and engagement account work.

Reports/Writing:

  • Contributes opposition-related intelligence to weekly client war room campaigns report.
  • Writes issue briefs and public affairs advocacy materials, including opinion and editorial pieces.


Required Capabilities

  • Manage a team.
  • Interact with the client.
  • Capable of ensuring the strategies are being met and the tactics are being completed.
  • Ability to write and proofread.
  • College degree or equivalent.
  • Strong grasp of and demonstrated experience with Associated Press (AP) writing style.
  • Successful completion of Public Strategies’ writing test.
  • Strong secondary research skills, including experience with online database systems such as Factiva, Google, Thomas.gov, OpenSecrets.org, etc.
  • Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office systems (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Access).
  • Intellectual curiosity to expand thinking and approach beyond the obvious.
  • Keen analytical mind and ability to problem solve.
  • Ability to remain calm and professional in a fast-paced, rapid-response environment.

Previous Experience

  • 5-10 years of experience in a mid-level position in the Administration or a Governor’s office; a mid-level position in a presidential campaign; as a Legislative Director for a US Senator or Representative; a senior position in a state campaign; or in a mid-level position at a corporation.


Public Strategies hires superior people. If doing exceptional work at the speed of light with passionate people sounds like heaven to you, then you might just fit in. We're a fast-growing company with a fast-moving environment and plenty to offer — competitive salaries, benefits, and a solid 401k program.