22 Characters: Manager OR Director

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JOB DESCRIPTION

22 Characters is seeking a Manager or Director to lead client engagements and set communications strategy across a portfolio of accounts. Founded by veteran communicators Xochitl Hinojosa and Josh Schwerin, 22 Characters is a strategic communications firm working at the intersection of government, politics, and business. The firm advises institutions, executives, and organizations on strategic communications, message development, media relations, public affairs, and issue advocacy campaigns, and helps them navigate high-stakes moments, from crises and congressional investigations to legal proceedings.

As a Manager or Director, you will lead multiple client initiatives or programs from conception through execution and be the primary point of contact for several clients. You will write and edit high-impact content, shape media narratives, and mentor junior staff.

The ideal candidate will thrive in a start-up environment, bringing flexibility and creativity to the role.

We are accepting resumes for both Manager and Director tiers, and will offer interviews and shape ultimate job duties based on applicant skills and experience.

What You’ll Do

Client and team leadership

• Own client relationships as a trusted advisor and lead point of contact

• Develop strategic and tactical plans that advance client goals

• Manage engagements from concept to execution, tracking timelines and deliverables and anticipating issues before they arise

• Mentor associates and fellows with clear, actionable feedback

Content and messaging

• Draft and oversee message frameworks, strategy memos, press releases, talking points, op-eds, statements, and speeches

• Edit and finalize work from junior staff to a high standard

Press and media relations

• Build relationships with reporters, producers, and bookers

• Shape storylines and secure coverage across local and national print, broadcast and digital outlets to meet client needs

• Lead rapid response and earned media for issue advocacy campaigns, crises, and other high-stakes moments

Other duties as assigned

What You’ll Bring

• 4+ (Manager) or 7+ (Director) years of communications or digital work (agency, campaign, advocacy, government, or in-house experience)

• Experience managing fast-paced workflows, teams, and/or several projects at once in a high-stakes, deadline-driven setting

• Proven media relations skills and wide-ranging press relationships, with spokesperson experience a significant plus

• Excellent writing and editing skills, with published or externally shared work samples

• Sharp research skills and sound judgment about source credibility

• Experience handling sensitive communications issues and reputation management

• A strategic, proactive, solution-focused mindset and meticulous attention to detail

• Discretion with confidential information, plus a collaborative, client-focused approach and a sense of humor

Even if you don’t check every single box above, we encourage you to apply if your experience, skills, and drive make you a strong fit for the role.