Application Guide
How to Apply for Director, External Communications and Media Relations
at Partnership for Public Service
🏢 About Partnership for Public Service
The Partnership for Public Service is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to building a better government and a stronger democracy. What makes it unique is its focus on nonpartisan solutions to improve government effectiveness and its reputation as a trusted voice in public service reform. Someone might want to work here to contribute to meaningful, mission-driven work that directly impacts how government serves the public.
About This Role
As Director of External Communications and Media Relations, you'll lead the strategic narrative for the Partnership, managing all external messaging and media engagement to amplify their mission of government improvement. This role is impactful because you'll shape public perception of government effectiveness and directly influence how key stakeholders understand and engage with public service reform initiatives.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might start with reviewing media coverage of government issues and identifying opportunities for Partnership commentary, followed by team meetings to coordinate content creation and media outreach. You'd likely spend time collaborating with the President's office on messaging for upcoming initiatives, preparing spokespeople for media interviews, and developing strategic communications plans to advance the organization's mission of government improvement.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Partnership for Public Service Is Looking For
- Has 8+ years experience developing and executing comprehensive communications strategies for mission-driven organizations, with proven success in media relations and spokesperson roles
- Demonstrates experience leading teams in creating compelling content about complex policy issues for diverse audiences, with specific examples of making technical topics accessible
- Shows deep understanding of the federal government landscape and can articulate how to communicate about government effectiveness to various stakeholders
- Possesses strong relationships with national media covering government, policy, and nonprofit sectors, with experience positioning organizational leaders as thought leaders
📝 Tips for Applying to Partnership for Public Service
Quantify your impact in previous communications roles with specific metrics like media placements, audience growth, or campaign results related to government or policy topics
Demonstrate your understanding of the Partnership's nonpartisan approach by avoiding politically charged language and focusing on government effectiveness metrics
Include specific examples of how you've made complex policy or government operations accessible to general audiences in your resume and portfolio
Highlight experience working directly with organizational presidents or senior leaders on communications strategy and messaging
Show familiarity with the Partnership's key initiatives like the Best Places to Work in Government rankings or their government effectiveness research
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
["Your experience developing communications strategies for mission-driven organizations and how you'd apply that to advancing the Partnership's specific goals", "Specific examples of successful media relations campaigns you've led, particularly those related to government, policy, or nonprofit sectors", 'Your approach to leading communications teams and collaborating with senior leadership on organizational messaging', "How you would position the Partnership's work on government effectiveness to different audiences including media, policymakers, and the public"]
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → The Partnership's key initiatives and research areas, particularly their Best Places to Work in Government rankings and government effectiveness reports
- → Recent media coverage of the Partnership and their leadership's public statements on government reform
- → The organization's target audiences including federal agencies, Congress, media, and the general public
- → How the Partnership positions itself as nonpartisan while advocating for government improvement
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using partisan political language or appearing aligned with one political party, given the organization's nonpartisan mission
- Focusing only on corporate communications experience without demonstrating understanding of nonprofit or government sector communications
- Failing to show specific knowledge of the Partnership's work or the broader landscape of government effectiveness organizations
- Presenting generic communications strategies without tailoring approaches to the unique challenges of communicating about government reform
📅 Application Timeline
This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.
Typical hiring timeline:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!
Ready to Apply?
Good luck with your application to Partnership for Public Service!