Associate, Communications at Whiteboard Advisors in Washington, DC

Whiteboard Advisors is a unique strategy consulting, communications, and advocacy firm built to help change-making organizations and entrepreneurs make an impact. Our insights and experience guide the nation’s most respected and impactful philanthropies, companies, nonprofit organizations, and investors. We are multidisciplinary by design: sitting at the intersection of business, policy, practice, and the media.

We're looking for a sharp, entrepreneurial Associate to join our communications practice. This is a role for someone who wants to do meaningful work, move fast, and grow quickly.

As an Associate, you'll manage a portfolio of 5-7 clients, working side-by-side with senior leaders to develop and execute communications strategy across K-12 and higher education. You'll write and edit across a range of formats — press releases, op-eds, research reports, and media pitches — and hold yourself to a high standard on every deliverable. You'll be part of a team that blends advocacy, research, and communications into a multi-dimensional approach, and you'll be expected to navigate that mix with curiosity and confidence.

The best candidates will be fast, resourceful researchers who can get up to speed on a new issue quickly, find the right angle, and communicate it clearly. You're comfortable managing competing client timelines, asking smart questions, and taking ownership of your work.

You'll report directly to an experienced senior manager who is invested in your development — with real opportunities to grow your client relationships and take on expanded responsibility as you build your track record.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute communications strategies in collaboration with senior team members

• Produce strong first drafts across a range of formats: press releases, op-eds, media pitches, talking points, event proposals, and blogs

• Conceptualize story ideas and angles that resonate with journalists and move in the current media environment

• Support and manage media relations, building relationships with reporters across education and policy beats

• Manage client engagements: run meetings, set agendas, track action items, and ensure timely execution

• Conduct quick, accurate research to inform communications strategy and written deliverables

• Operate with speed and precision across multiple client accounts simultaneously

• Contribute to a team culture that values candid feedback, continuous learning, and shared accountability

• 1–3 years of professional experience, ideally in a communications agency, PR firm, or similar environment managing multiple clients or projects

• Demonstrated success in media relations, including placing stories, building reporter relationships, or supporting earned media campaigns

• Strong writing skills with the ability to produce clean, compelling first drafts across formats

• Proven project management ability: organized, deadline-driven, and comfortable juggling competing priorities

• Strong interpersonal skills and a client-first mindset

• Familiarity with education, workforce development, or social impact strongly preferred — though intellectual curiosity and a willingness to build subject matter expertise matter more than a pre-existing background

Whiteboard Advisors offers a highly competitive salary and benefits package as part of our commitment to attracting, developing and retaining top talent, including

• 401(k) retirement plan with generous employer match
• Paid health, dental and vision insurance benefits for employees (100% paid premium for employees and 50% premium subsidization for dependents)
• Company-paid basic term life insurance equal to two times your annual salary
• Company-paid long term disability insurance
• Unlimited/flexible vacation plan
• Extensive paid time off including 14 paid annual holidays and two week-long company recesses in July and December.
• Monthly phone/data reimbursement
• Pre-tax employee payroll contributions for commuter transit benefits
• Monthly health and wellness stipend
• Professional Association and Licensing Fees reimbursement with manager approval

The starting salary range for an associate is $60,000 - $70,000. The range is based on national compensation benchmark data and may vary depending on skills, experience, job-related knowledge, variations in cost of labor, and in some cases, geographic location. The exact job offer will be determined based on several factors such as the candidate’s individual skills, qualifications, and experience relative to the requirements of the role.

The company also reviews and considers internal equity (current employee salary) when hiring new employees to the organization. The range is the expected starting base salary for someone hired into this position with room to grow professionally, including increased earning potential beyond the starting pay range. Beyond a new hire’s base salary, Whiteboard Advisors also offers all full-time employees a comprehensive employee benefit package, as described above.