Public Relations- Senior Account Manager - Policy & Advocacy

Position Summary

Pinkston is seeking a Senior Account Manager with expertise in policy and advocacy communications to join our growing team. This role is ideal for a communications professional with a strong understanding of the policy and political landscape, preferably with experience working on Capitol Hill or within public affairs. The ideal candidate will be comfortable working with a wide range of advocacy-focused clients, including those with conservative-leaning policy perspectives.

Senior Account Managers at Pinkston work closely with senior leadership to direct client accounts, manage staff, and drive strategy. This position requires a deep understanding of media relations, messaging strategy, and crisis communications, particularly within the policy and political communications sector. The successful candidate will demonstrate strong client engagement skills, the ability to navigate politically sensitive issues, and a strategic mindset that contributes to client impact and business growth.

Additional Details

Location: Falls Church, Virginia

Status: Exempt, Full-Time
Travel: 5-10%

Reports to:  VP - Policy & Advocacy

Role  Responsibilities

Client & Media Strategy

• Lead media campaign strategy, execution, and message development for policy and advocacy clients
• Guide clients on communications approaches that resonate within diverse and politically sensitive environments.
• Lead a team to proactively engage media, pitch stories, and secure placements for advocacy initiatives.
• Identify media risks and navigate sensitive issues and reputational concerns with confidence.
• Develop strategic messaging documents, op-eds, and thought leadership content on behalf of clients.
  

Client & Account Management

• Serve as day-to-day lead for assigned clients, managing priorities, expectations, and communication strategy.
• Provide strategic counsel to advocacy and policy clients, many of whom operate in complex political landscapes.
• Understand and anticipate client goals, adapting plans as needed in dynamic news or political cycles.
• Build trusted relationships with key client stakeholders, including executives, policy leaders, and donors.

Team Leadership & Collaboration

• Manage and mentor junior team members, contributing to their professional development.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams and ensure alignment with client scopes of work.
• Collaborate with directors and VPs on onboarding new clients and supporting new business proposals.
• Ensure quality and timeliness of deliverables while balancing multiple fast-moving accounts.

Skills and Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in communications, public relations, political science, journalism, or a related field
• 5–7+ years of experience in PR, public affairs, or strategic communications
• Direct experience working with or in proximity to Capitol Hill, a policy organization, or issue advocacy group
• Demonstrated ability to manage client relationships and lead project teams
• Media relations, strong writing, and storytelling skills, especially in policy/political contexts
• Comfort and maturity in working with ideologically diverse clients, including conservative-leaning organizations
• Alignment with Pinkston’s guiding principles

Preferred

• Previous experience in a Congressional communications office or on Capitol Hill

Cultural Competencies

• Strategic Thinker: Sees the big picture of client work and how messaging fits into broader advocacy or policy goals
• Politically Savvy: Comfortable navigating communications in complex or polarized environments
• Mission-Driven: Committed to advancing client objectives with clarity, creativity, and precision
• Collaborative Leader: Values teamwork, mentorship, and growing others
• Outcome-Oriented: Maintains high standards and strives to exceed expectations.
• Empathetic Communicator: Understands client sensitivities and approaches messaging with discernment and care
  

Who We Are

Pinkston is a full-service branding, marketing, and communications agency offering integrated public relations, creative, digital, and research services to transform companies and organizations. As an outcome-driven agency, Pinkston is committed to delivering customized, strategic solutions that drive real-world impact.

Pinkston offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes company-sponsored health, dental, and vision plans accompanied by employer-funded life insurance, HRA, and short-term disability plan. Optional long-term disability and additional Life Insurance are also available. Pinkston provides a 401k retirement plan and contributes to each employee’s retirement annually regardless of employee participation.

At Pinkston, we believe great things happen when people come together and are committed to building a collaborative in-person work environment. Pinkston is also committed to a healthy work-life balance. We offer flexibility through an innovative hybrid work model that gives team members the opportunity to work from home up to 30% of the time. Pinkston provides generous holiday and vacation policies, paid parental leave, and an additional week of paid “volunteer time off” to encourage employees to invest time in a 501C non-profit of their choice.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Pinkston is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all employment practices within our organization, including hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, training, and apprenticeship. Pinkston makes hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs at the time.