Senior Director, Strategic Communications

Location: Greater Washington, D.C. area only; in-person at the downtown DC office Monday through Thursday, with remote work available on Fridays

Salary: $120,000–$190,000 per year, depending on experience and qualifications

Company

Penta is a corporate affairs advisory firm combining intelligence, stakeholder insights, and strategic counsel to help organizations navigate business, policy, culture, and reputation.

What you will do

• Manage multiple client engagements, internal teams, assignments, deadlines, deliverables, and quality processes.
• Lead client communications, provide strategic counsel, generate ideas, and ensure high-quality service and outputs.
• Coach, mentor, and develop associates while building team skills and issue expertise.
• Build knowledge of clients’ businesses, industries, and policy issues and translate complex policy topics for target audiences.
• Develop and execute public affairs strategies involving stakeholder mapping, engagement, media relations, events, messaging, and collateral.
• Contribute to proposals, pitch preparation, and client acquisition efforts.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in economics, political science or government, business, journalism, public policy, or a related field.
• 7–10 years of professional experience in communications or policy roles in a related field, including political campaigns, Capitol Hill, government administration, consultancy, nonprofits, or corporate enterprises; client-service experience is preferred.
• Ability to lead, manage, mentor, and motivate multiple high-achieving teams with a team-first mentality.
• Research experience and experience in a relevant policy field; familiarity with politics, the legislative process, and corporate industries.
• Excellent verbal, written, and presentation skills with strong analytical abilities.
• Proficiency with AI tools and emerging technologies to improve efficiency, quality, and impact.
• Ability to multitask and manage competing priorities.
• Willingness to learn new skills, participate in new projects, and embrace challenges.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Culture & Benefits

• Hybrid schedule with remote work available on Fridays.
• Medical, vision, and dental insurance, with the company covering most individual premiums and 50% of dependent premiums.
• 401(k) plan with employer matching, employer-paid disability and life insurance, and 12 weeks of paid parental leave.
• Flexible paid time off and a generous holiday schedule.
• Cell phone stipend, optional pet insurance, wellness benefits, employee assistance programs, and firm-wide social and team-building events.