How to apply for Associate or Senior Associate, Strategic Communications

About Be Clear

Be Clear is a boutique communications and strategy consultancy founded by four Obama Administration alumni, dedicated to building a more progressive world by helping mission-driven organizations tell their stories. They focus on strengthening public education, defending democracy, and reducing economic inequality, offering services from strategy development to crisis management. Working here means joining a small, passionate team where your writing directly supports causes that matter.

About the role

As an Associate or Senior Associate, you'll be the writing powerhouse behind press releases, blogs, op-eds, and web copy, while also crafting social media content, pitching reporters, and developing presentations. You'll support a diverse portfolio of progressive clients, turning complex policy ideas into compelling narratives that shift public opinion and drive change. This role is ideal for someone who thrives in a fast-paced, collaborative environment and wants to use communications as a tool for social impact.

A typical day

Your day might start with a team check-in, then dive into drafting a press release for a client's new education initiative, followed by a quick graphic design task for a social media campaign. In the afternoon, you'll pitch a story to a reporter, edit an op-ed, and collaborate with colleagues on a strategy memo—all while juggling deadlines and staying responsive to client needs.

Who Be Clear is looking for

• Demonstrated strong writing skills with a portfolio of published work (press releases, op-eds, blogs, or social media content) that shows versatility across formats and issues.
• Experience in political, policy, or advocacy communications—whether through campaigns, nonprofits, or government—with a clear understanding of the progressive landscape.
• Proactive self-starter who can manage multiple projects remotely, pitch media stories, and build relationships with reporters while meeting tight deadlines.
• Team player with a creative mindset, able to generate fresh ideas for campaigns and comfortable with basic graphic design and video editing tools for social media.

Tips for this application

• Tailor your writing samples to the issues Be Clear focuses on—education, democracy, or economic inequality—and include a mix of press releases, op-eds, and social media posts to showcase range.
• In your cover letter, explicitly reference Be Clear's founding by Obama alumni and how that aligns with your own commitment to progressive causes; avoid generic statements about 'making a difference.'
• Highlight any direct experience pitching media and placing stories, as this is a key responsibility; quantify results if possible (e.g., 'secured coverage in X outlet').
• Demonstrate familiarity with social media platforms and basic design tools (e.g., Canva, Adobe Spark) by mentioning specific campaigns you've supported or content you've created.
• Since the role is remote, emphasize your ability to work independently, manage time zones, and collaborate virtually—perhaps by noting past remote work successes or tools you use to stay organized.

What to cover in your cover letter

['Your passion for storytelling as a tool for social change, with concrete examples of how your writing has influenced policy or public opinion.', "Your alignment with Be Clear's mission areas (public education, democracy, economic inequality) and why you want to work specifically with their client base.", 'Your ability to juggle multiple writing tasks—from press releases to social media—and your experience pitching media and building reporter relationships.', "Your fit with a boutique, collaborative culture: show you're a team player who can also take initiative and work remotely without constant supervision."]

Research before applying

• Explore Be Clear's website and social media to understand their client roster, recent campaigns, and the issues they prioritize—note any clients you'd be excited to support.
• Read op-eds and press releases from Be Clear's founders and team members to get a sense of their writing style and strategic approach.
• Research the progressive communications landscape: key players, influential reporters covering education, democracy, and inequality, and current debates in those areas.
• Look into the backgrounds of the four Obama alumni founders—their career paths and public statements—to understand the firm's culture and values.

Likely interview topics

Based on the job description, expect questions about:

• How would you approach writing a press release for a client fighting to protect public education funding? Walk us through your process.
• Describe a time you pitched a story to a reporter and secured coverage. What was your strategy, and what did you learn?
• Give an example of a complex policy issue you turned into accessible content for a general audience. How did you ensure accuracy and clarity?
• How do you stay up-to-date on progressive policy debates and media trends? Which outlets and journalists do you follow?
• Tell us about a time you had to manage multiple projects with tight deadlines. How did you prioritize and communicate with your team?

Common mistakes to avoid

• Submitting generic writing samples that don't reflect the progressive, policy-focused nature of Be Clear's work; instead, tailor samples to their mission areas.
• Focusing only on writing and neglecting to mention social media, graphic design, or media pitching skills—this role requires a blend of creative and strategic abilities.
• Showing a lack of familiarity with Be Clear's specific focus areas or clients, which suggests you haven't done your homework and are not genuinely interested in their mission.