Senior Director, Public Affairs Partnerships

For more than a century and a half, The Atlantic has chronicled the forces shaping American democracy and culture. Now we seek a seasoned strategist and connector to steward our presence in Washington, D.C.—a city where our journalism has singular resonance.

This role calls for sales acumen, but it is not a traditional sales position. It is a consultative business development role for someone who knows how to win trust, open doors, and build lasting partnerships. We are looking for someone who brings both market fluency and imagination : a professional with a strong D.C. network, a keen sense of how trade associations and public‑affairs agencies operate, and the creativity to position The Atlantic as a vital partner to those institutions. The person in this role will be motivated by creating something enduring : a stronger Atlantic position in the Washington market. They will act as our ambassador in the capital, bringing both a network and the know‑how to position The Atlantic as a vital partner to associations, agencies, and advocacy groups.

Responsibilities

Reintroduce and elevate The Atlantic’s standing in the D.C. market by cultivating relationships with industry trade associations, advocacy organizations, and public affairs agencies

Represent The Atlantic as both strategist and connector, positioning The Atlantic’s brand and core products—custom content, newsletters, live events, and policy‑focused journalism—as essential platforms for the D.C. market

Collaborate with business, product, and editorial colleagues to shape market‑facing opportunities tailored for public affairs

Act as a builder : establishing the systems, relationships, and presence needed to secure The Atlantic’s rightful share of Washington’s public‑affairs market

Qualifications

Demonstrated knowledge of the Washington media and public‑affairs landscape, with an existing network across trade associations and agencies

Experience in consulting, business development, or marketing in the D.C. market, with the ability to move seamlessly between client‑facing meetings and internal brainstorms

Strong consultative skills—able to pair business instincts with long‑term positioning and creative problem‑solving

Excellent communication and relationship‑building ability; regarded as a connector and trusted advisor

A creative, entrepreneurial approach to problem‑solving—able to break through barriers and invent new pathways

A passion for The Atlantic’s journalism and its civic mission

Must be based in Washington, D.C.

What We’re Looking For

We are looking for a strategic operator who wants to own The Atlantic’s relationships in Washington, and help reestablish and build upon our reputation in the market. This is a chance to bring imagination, persistence, and passion to one of the country’s most vital media markets—and to help secure The Atlantic’s rightful place within it.

Salary minimum $115,000 + Commission; Salary maximum : $180,000 + Commission

Location : Washington, D.C.

About The Atlantic :

The Atlantic has, for more than 160 years, advanced ideas that matter and sparked global conversation on the most important issues of our time. We aim to bring clarity and original thinking to questions of consequence, on topics ranging from politics, the economy, and global affairs to technology, science, and culture. As the third‑longest‑running magazine in America, we find ourselves at a remarkable moment : one of both continuation and transformation, of upholding our legacy while continuously reinventing ourselves for the future.

The Atlantic Monthly Group LLC ("The Atlantic") is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The Atlantic is committed to diversity and encourages members of traditionally underrepresented communities to apply, including women, LGBTQ people, people of color, and people with disabilities. We do not discriminate against our applicants because of race, color, religion, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation, and pregnancy), national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable law.

Job offers to work at The Atlantic are contingent upon the candidate’s successful completion of reference checks and compliance with The Atlantic's COVID‑19 vaccination policy. The Atlantic requires all employees to be vaccinated against COVID‑19, including subsequent boosters, and submit proof of vaccination status. Employees who cannot receive the vaccine because of a disability / medical contraindication or sincerely‑held religious belief may request an accommodation (e.g., an exemption) to this requirement.

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