Communications Manager, Media and Public Relations

The Heritage Foundation heritage.org Open · verified Sep 16, 2026

Washington Full-time Manager Public Relations

Mid-level Public Relations role at The Heritage Foundation. Washington · full-time · $78,000–$97,000 base.

SalaryStated by The Heritage Foundation

$78,000 – $97,000

Base salary for this role, in USD per year, as published in the posting.

This role, from The Heritage FoundationOur estimate for the market: $95,000–$118,000

In line with the market median of $95,000 for mid-level public relations roles in Washington.

Worked out from 5 postings that stated pay, median $95,000. Last updated Mar 10, 2026.

Role brief

Growth Roles summary, based on the employer's posting.

What you'll do

Shape communications plans for government spending, economic, and energy issues
Create daily media pitches plus releases, web copy, and talking points
Build press relationships and arrange media appearances for Heritage policy experts
Coordinate messaging with policy, government relations, campaign, and communications teams
Track coverage, brief the director, and maintain shared media contact lists

What you bring

At least four years of related communications experience
Strong writing, editing, interpersonal, and broader communications skills
Working ability with Microsoft Suite
Established relationships with print reporters and broadcast producers
Knowledge of newspaper operations and economic, energy, tax, and spending policy

Who this fits

You’ll suit a detail-focused, creative communicator who supports Heritage’s mission and can present its policy priorities consistently. The role is full-time in Washington and centers on media work across print, television, radio, and digital channels.

From the employer

Title: Communications Manager, Media and Public Relations

Reports to: Director, Media and Public Relations

Job Summary: The Communications Manager is responsible for managing all aspects of communications relating to government spending, the economy, and energy issues. This position also coordinates with other communications managers and outside vendors to align with Heritage policy priorities and achieve results for the strategic communications portfolio.

Job Duties:

Develop messaging and communications strategies for issues within the portfolio, working with policy experts to maximize their impact in the media and use public relations tactics to drive Heritage’s policy message.
Contribute to Heritage’s media strategy, generating daily pitches on relevant issues on multiple platforms including print, broadcast, and digital. Draft news releases, web content, and talking points.
Build and maintain relationships with media who cover relevant issues including print, television, radio, and digital.
Book and prep Heritage policy experts for national media appearances and high-profile interviews by securing opportunities and providing guidance on messaging and media skills.
Proactively work with the Government Relations team and policy experts to identify key legislation to drive media coverage.
Coordinate with other communications departments within the Heritage enterprise to ensure unified messaging on policy priorities.
Monitor media for experts through various means and brief the Director on media coverage of Heritage.
Maintain and share media lists on relevant issues for institutional use.
Work closely with campaign leads and Heritage management in leveraging the media to accomplish policy goals.

Qualifications:
Education: College-level experience encouraged

Experience: 4+ years of related experience

Communication: Excellent interpersonal and communications skills, including demonstrated proficiency in writing and editing

Technology: Microsoft Suite

Other Requirements:

Understand and support the Heritage mission and vision for America, and the department’s goals and objectives.
Promote policies consistent with Heritage’s priorities; speak with one voice.
Existing contacts among print reporters and broadcast producers.
Knowledge of daily newspaper operations and needs.
General knowledge of policies related to economics, energy, tax, and spending.
Ability to create compelling messaging across a wide variety of issue areas.
Must be aggressive, detail-oriented, and highly creative.

Benefits and Salary:

The Heritage Foundation offers a highly competitive benefits package that includes, but is not limited to, best-in-class health care, vision, and dental insurance, employer-sponsored retirement funding, “take what you need” PTO and sick leave, 14 weeks of paid leave for new moms and 6 weeks of paid leave for new dads, among other programs.

The salary range for this role is $78,000 - $97,000 annually. This range is a good-faith estimate, and the final salary offered to a selected candidate depends on a variety of factors including, but not limited to, the candidate’s experience, education, and other qualifications; internal and external market pay for comparable jobs; and level of hire based on aforementioned qualifications.