Senior Account Executive - Public Affairs

Pinkston’s Senior Account Executives manage day-to-day account operations, oversee media relations activities, coordinate account team workflows, and maintain regular client relationships. They bring strong public relations experience and media instincts to developing and executing communications strategies, securing media coverage, and helping clients navigate complex regulatory issues. The role also supports public affairs initiatives for clients addressing legislative, regulatory, and policy issues, incorporating government relations, advocacy, and stakeholder engagement into broader communications efforts.

Additional Details

• Status: Exempt Salaried
• Work Location: Falls Church, Virginia
• Travel: 5-10%
• Salary range $70k - $77k

Role Responsibilities (Pitching/writing, media intel, client relations)

• Develop and execute strategic earned media campaigns and broader public relations initiatives, including integrated public affairs efforts.
• Identify media opportunities, develop targeted pitches, build reporter relationships, and secure meaningful coverage for clients.
• Monitor media coverage, news cycles, and relevant legislative, regulatory, and political developments to identify opportunities and potential challenges.
• Develop and coordinate messaging, talking points, press releases, media pitches, briefing documents, and other strategic communications materials.
• Manage day-to-day client activities, deliverables, and communications while providing strategic counsel and execution support to Account Leads.
• Advise clients on media engagement, including preparing for high-profile opportunities and navigating sensitive situations.
• Coordinate with account teams to advance client priorities, manage competing deadlines, and ensure high-quality work.
• Provide guidance, feedback, and day-to-day support to junior team members.

Skills & Qualifications

Required

• Undergraduate degree or relevant experience in public relations, communications, journalism, or a related field.
• 3+ years of relevant experience in public relations, strategic communications, or a related field.
• Strong writing, editing, and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage diverse audiences.
• Experience developing communications campaigns, pitching media, and securing earned media coverage.
• Strong understanding of the media landscape and ability to identify newsworthy opportunities and emerging trends.
• Proven ability to manage multiple client accounts, competing priorities, and time-sensitive projects.
• Strong organizational skills, adaptability, and attention to detail.
• Alignment with Pinkston’s guiding principles.

Preferred

• Experience supporting public affairs, advocacy, or policy-related communications initiatives.
• Experience working directly with client executives and senior leadership.
• Experience providing guidance and mentorship to junior staff.

Culture

• Possesses a sense of persistence in all tasks; seeks to push through challenges and ensure excellence in deliverables
• Commitment to excellence and drive to exceed expectations
• Seeks to see the broader story of client work and understand how individual work contributes to a greater narrative
• Possesses a collaborative spirit, values teamwork and has strong ability to give and receive feedback and instruction
• Awareness of how actions impact internal organization and external stakeholders

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.

Benefits

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 30% of the time remotely. 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.