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THE ORGANIZATION

The Partnership for Public Service is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to building a better government and a stronger democracy. Central to this mission is our work to support and safeguard the apolitical civil service, the backbone of our democratic system that ensures the federal government meets its mandate to serve the public good. We prepare federal employees to navigate threats to the nonpartisan workforce, and we educate and engage the public about why the government matters and what is at stake for everyone if it is undermined. We also aim to help state and local governments deliver for those they serve, applying our 20-plus years of experience working in the federal sector to reinspire faith in government at all levels.

Our staff, diverse in experience and perspective, is mission-driven, creative, collaborative, optimistic and inclusive.

Our work is strategic, fast-paced and guided by our values:

+ Passion for public service and our work toward more effective government

+ People who promote a culture of learning, leadership, collaboration, inclusion and respect

+ Persistence to drive change, take strategic risks and deliver results

+ Promise to be trustworthy, nonpartisan and fiscally responsible

We hire smart and friendly people who are great at what they do and good to one another in the process.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Partnership for Public Service seeks a Rapid Response and Outreach Manager to lead the organization’s efforts to anticipate, shape and respond to fast-moving developments in federal government management and policy. This role will design and implement a comprehensive rapid response process, ensuring the organization can act quickly and strategically in alignment with its mission and policy priorities, elevating its voice with the media and key constituencies.

Reporting to the Senior Media Relations Manager and working closely with the press, marketing, digital, creative and government affairs teams, this role will drive coordination to craft timely messaging, develop and maintain a rapid response calendar and support media relations and policy efforts. This includes creating a range of high-quality, consistent communications materials and messaging across multiple platforms.

The role will also oversee the growth and engagement of the Partnership’s Speakers Bureau (https://ourpublicservice.org/federal-employee-speakers-bureau) , including recruiting new members, managing speaker outreach and engagement while gathering stories that help illustrate the real-world impact of public service issues.

The Rapid Response and Outreach Manager will work as part of an interdisciplinary communications and public engagement team of marketing, graphic design, social media, editorial, researchers, media, and programs and events staff, and as a result should be able to collaborate with others and contribute ideas. This person must be able to manage internal and external relationships, lead assigned projects from start to finish and work effectively in a matrixed setting.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

+ Develop and implement a rapid response process for the organization.

+ Work in coordination with the communications and government affairs teams to craft and execute the Partnership’s rapid response strategy and efforts, including identifying proactive messaging opportunities and coordinating messaging and cross-team alignment to maximize impact and reinforce organization’s mission and policy priorities.

+ Develop and manage the organization’s rapid response messaging calendar with input from communications and government affairs teams.

+ Identify proactive opportunities to accomplish messaging goals by following news events, tracking interviews, and monitoring breaking news throughout the day on a variety of national, local and nontraditional media sources, including online/print sources, social media, podcasts and cable news.

+ Support the Partnership’s media relations efforts in proactive outreach, reporter engagement and responses to press inquiries.

+ Assist issue management and policy communications by collaborating with policy staff, distilling complex issues, and ensuring timely coordination across teams.

+ Help plan and execute rapid response media campaigns, working collaboratively with colleagues in press, government affairs, digital, and creative to connect messaging across channels.

+ Draft a range of communications materials—including press releases, press statements, fact sheets, talking points, digital content, and executive briefing materials.

+ Manage existing and future members of the Partnership’s nascent Speakers Bureau, including overseeing speaker outreach and support.

+ Gather stories of impact and harms through alumni groups, the speakers bureau and other entities to help support messaging and outreach in response administration and congressional actions.

+ In collaboration across the communications, public engagement and government affairs teams, identify speaking and engagement opportunities for speakers bureau members.

+ Track and report on engagement metrics for speakers bureau.

KEY COMPETENCIES

+ A talent for making complex topics accessible to non-expert audiences and translating messaging across multiple platforms.

+ Knowledge of the relevant media landscape and how to engage journalists.

+ Skilled relationship-builder who can connect diverse stakeholders, collaborate across teams and translate advocacy priorities into communications outputs.

+ An ability to manage projects effectively from start to finish with limited oversight.

+ Excellent written and verbal communication skills and attention to detail.

+ Strong interpersonal communication skills with the ability to effectively engage both internal and external stakeholders.

+ A critical thinker with outstanding judgment and political savvy.

+ Flexible and collaborative, with an ability to work well across teams and departments, excelling in a matrix and fast-paced environment.

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

+ Minimum of 5-7 years of experience within the social impact, civic engagement, democracy and/or political space.

+ Experience writing public-facing materials including press releases, statements, fact sheets, talking points and/or similar deliverables.

+ Experience developing, leading and implementing community organizing/issue campaigns and/or narrative strategies and campaigns.

+ Proven success in working with traditional or non-traditional media outlets, influencers or others who inform the public and shape public opinion.

+ Experience in project management or working knowledge of project management best practices.

+ Experience coordinating projects in dynamic, multi-team environments.

+ A Bachelor’s degree in marketing, public relations, communications or a similar field, or a combination of experience and education in professional work or military experience.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

This job operates in a hybrid (remote + office) environment in Washington, DC. The successful candidate must be a permanent resident in the Washington, DC, Maryland or Virginia area. The person in this role is expected to work in the office, on average, three days per week – with Wednesday as the required day in-office. This position requires consistent use of office equipment such as computer, telephone, printer/scanner and MS Office.

In assessing employee performance at the Partnership, we consider collaboration, results, and demonstration of our values.

POSITION TYPE/EXPECTED HOURS OF WORK

This is an at-will, term position starting January 2026 and running through December 2027. This position is full-time and classified as exempt from overtime pay. Official business hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern, though the Partnership allows flexibility in work schedules. Occasional evenings or weekend activities may be required.

TRAVEL

If travel occurs, it is usually during the business day. Some out of the area and/or overnight travel may occasionally be required.

SALARY

The starting salary range for this position is $70,000 - $95,000. The Partnership offers a compensation package that includes a competitive salary; medical, dental and vision coverage; life insurance; long- and short-term disability insurance; a 401(k) program with a 4 percent employer match; opportunities for training and development; commuter benefits; 15 days of annual leave per year, 10 days of sick leave per year, plus all federal holidays and the day after Thanksgiving off; and use of an on-site exercise facility.

EEO STATEMENT

The Partnership adheres to all federal, state and local employment laws. Partnership for Public Service is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate against any applicants for employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, caste, national origin, citizenship, immigration status, veteran status, disability; or on any other basis prohibited by law.