Press Secretary (Washington, D.C.)

Washington D.C. Hybrid (Minimum 2 days a week in office)
Minimum Salary: $95000 Maximum Salary: $105000

The Century Foundation (TCF) is seeking a relentless media-obsessed Press Secretary to drive aggressive and strategic earned media for one of the nations premier progressive think tanks. This is a role for someone who loves the chasewho lives to work with reporters break through crowded news cycles and land the story. Reporting to the Vice President of Communications the Press Secretary will serve as the primary media point of contact for TCF generating high-impact coverage for our research experts and campaigns across domestic policy.

The Press Secretary will own day-to-day press outreachpitching local regional and national reporters and producers including new media (e.g. podcasts Youtube shows Substack writers); cultivating and deepening relationships across print broadcast and digital outlets; and turning TCFs research into stories that shape the debate. The ideal candidate is a proactive creative and tenacious pitcher who has a strong network of media relationships and a sharp instinct for what makes news.

Responsibilities include:

• Develop and drive an aggressive proactive earned media strategy. Execute relentless pitching strategies to land high-profile coverage of TCFs research experts and campaigns on national TV radio and podcasts and in top-tier print digital and new media outlets. Own day-to-day press outreach identify story opportunities chase placements and follow up until the story lands.
• Write sharp persuasive press materials. Draft and edit press releases media advisories pitches op-eds letters to the editor editorial board memos talking points and messaging that cut through the noise.
• Win the news cycle through rapid response. Monitor breaking news spot openings and move fast to develop messaging and place experts and statements while the story is hot.
• Build and deepen reporter relationships. Cultivate and maintain strong trusting relationships with journalists editors and producers across TCFs issue areas and continually expand TCFs network of media contacts.
• Serve as a media point of contact. Field and coordinate interview requests prep TCF experts for appearances and sharpen TCFs message across policy areas.
• Maintain media relations infrastructure. Develop and continually update press lists across TCFs issue areas; track and report on coverage and pitch outcomes; and compile clips.
• Support strategic outreach. As needed help coordinate with partners stakeholders and alliesand support outreach to congressional and administration audiences.

Desired skills and qualifications include:

• At least five years of experience in media relations press strategic communications journalism progressive politics advocacy or a related field.
• A demonstrated track record of securing high-profile print radio podcast and TV coverageand a genuine love of the pitch and the chase.
• Experience positioning principals or senior leaders as media-facing thought leaders including landing executives in high-profile interviews profiles broadcast hits and op-ed placements.
• A strong current network of national media contacts including D.C.- and New Yorkbased reporters and producers and a talent for building new relationships fast.
• Exceptional fast writing and editing skills with the ability to make complex policy clear sharp and newsworthy.
• Comfort and poise prepping experts for high-stakes interviews.
• A proactive tenacious and creative temperamentsomeone self-motivated who thrives in a fast-paced rapid-response environment and doesnt take no for an answer.
• Sound news judgment political acuity and an instinct for what reporters want and what will break through.
• Contacts on Capitol Hill or experience in a legislative campaign or advocacy environment a plus.
• A commitment to TCFs mission and to advancing bold progressive policy change.

Compensation and Benefits

TCF offers a competitive compensation package with a salary range determined by years of experience skills and abilities. Each candidates placement within the range will be based on these factors while ensuring alignment with our commitment to equitable internal pay practices. TCF is a unionized workplace and is represented by the Communications Workers of America (CWA1180). This is a union position.

This is a hybrid work position to be based in Washington benefits include health dental vision and life insurance and an employer-funded health reimbursement account (HRA). This benefit package is in addition to generous vacation sick and personal days an employer matching 403(b) plan and up to fourteen weeks parental leave.

The salary range for this position is $95000$105000.

Please apply via BambooHR with a resume cover letter one writing sample and one example of an earned media placement you landed that you are proud of with 1-2 sentences explaining what it was and a link to the story (note: if its an op-ed this can also suffice as the writing sample).

No inquiries by third-party vendors and no phone calls please. If you have any issues accessing the hiring portal please reach out with questions to . Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. The deadline for submission of application materials is July 27 2026.

The Century Foundation is committed to diversity and building an inclusive environment for people of all backgrounds. Everyone is encouraged to apply including women LGBTQIA people people of color and people with disabilities. Applicants must be eligible to work in the United States.

About The Century Foundation

TCF is a progressive independent think tank that conducts research develops solutions and drives policy change to make peoples lives better. We pursue economic racial gender and disability equity in education health care and work and promote U.S. foreign policy that fosters international cooperation peace and security. TCF has offices in New York City and Washington D.C.

Required Experience:

Manager