Careers

If you’re looking to make your next move, or to make your foray in Washington PR and public affairs, CLS Strategies may have the role you’re looking for. CLS Strategies is a privately-held, bipartisan strategic communications firm with a client success history that spans over 25 years working with many household names and Washington associations. We help our clients manage complex, high-stakes challenges across a wide variety of sectors and issues, including those that are regulatory and legislative, and we develop and execute integrated issue advocacy campaigns that help our clients win. While public affairs is a big part of what we do, so too is crisis and legal communications, and we can offer this candidate an opportunity to gain experience in those exciting and growing fields as well.

What we’re looking for:

• 5+ years experience in communications, public relations, or in a policy or public affairs role. This includes work on political campaigns.  
• Strong writing (Q&A, messaging, online content, op-eds), research, and media relations skills
• Strategic thinking to help write and develop campaign plans
• Digital fluency (reaching and engaging audiences online)
• Someone who can help manage client relationships and assist in the daily work for multiple client teams
• Versatility – Because we don’t operate in practice groups, this candidate should thrive in an environment where she or he works across sectors
• A team player – You will manage team members who support your work, and manage up as well, to the agency’s leadership and clients

What we offer:

The CLS work model is hybrid and flexible. Because we appreciate the advantages of both work-from-home and in-person collaboration, we operate a hybrid work environment that includes a state-of-the-art office in downtown DC with a gym and rooftop that colleagues can use as they wish when they aren’t working from home or elsewhere. Because we don’t believe in anemic retirement savings plans, we offer a 401(k) plan with a generous company match, along with other terrific benefits, such as health insurance plans that come with a free Pelton subscription,   up to 12 weeks of paid maternity leave and paid paternity leave.

Every account at CLS is led by one of the agency’s principals or members of senior management, and we work closely with our team members to teach them, help them grow, and ultimately lead parts of the work. This is important, because our company’s success depends on your success. 

This position does not need to be based in Washington, DC.  Candidates outside DC who are interested in being a member of our remote team are encouraged to apply. Please email your resume and cover letter to careers@clsstrategies.com with “MA – Public Affairs” in the subject line.

CLS Strategies is a Washington, D.C.-based strategic communications firm with a 25+ year track record of helping clients manage complex, high-stakes environments. We specialize in crisis and litigation communications as well as public affairs both in the U.S. and worldwide.

Notably, CLS offers a hybrid working environment. Starting in early October, we plan to re-open our Washington, DC-based office for in-person collaboration while allowing staff the flexibility to work remotely when needed or preferred.

We are looking to hire an energetic, hardworking and organized individual for the Managing Associate position to support the firm’s crisis and litigation clients. Ideal candidates will have five to eight years of experience in  crisis communications involving high stakes matters and a strong desire to do more. Litigation-related work is a plus.  Experience with a diversity of legal matters – e.g. product liability, securities, antitrust cases – and proven ability to work with litigation counsel is strongly desired.

Candidates must possess strong writing skills, experience in managing media relations, and ability to formulate effective and successful communications strategies and messages in a highly adversarial and fast-paced environment. Candidates who have worked closely with outside legal counsel and managed the development of materials that balanced legal and reputational interests will be especially strong candidates for this role.

Responsibilities for this mid-level position include:

• Lead strategic planning and account execution for multiple clients facing crisis issues
• Manage client business relationship
• Oversee and/or draft content needed to support client and communicate its story
• Lead efforts to pitch stories, and manage coverage as appropriate
• Help build the firm’s crisis communication practice through thought leadership activities and business development
• Support firm through active engagement in such activities as staff recruitment, training, mentoring.

If you thrive on the challenge of finding solutions to complex challenges and want to join our team, please apply by emailing your resume and cover letter to careers@clsstrategies.com with “MA – Crisis & Litigation” in the subject line.

CLS offers a competitive salary and benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, life, short-term and long-term disability insurance plus a 401(k) retirement savings plan. For more information about the company, visit www.clsstrategies.com.

CLS Strategies. We don’t just raise the issue. We raise the game.

Are you eager to design compelling online visuals or produce videos viewed by millions? If so, then you should apply to join the CLS team. In this hands-on position, you would help produce creative solutions at the intersection of politics, public policy and communications.

We are looking for a creative, self-motivated individual to join our team as a Digital Design & Production Associate. This is an opportunity to be a crucial part of our team by:

• Designing ads, website properties, social media graphics and more
• Creating campaign branding
• Working on multiple projects simultaneously
• Creating quality deliverables in a fast-paced work environment
• Communicating and collaborating with a team
• Assisting with the day-to-day operations of the digital team

Candidates for this position should have 1-2 years of professional experience and an interest in creative services and public affairs, with an emphasis on graphic design. Candidates who have the following skills are a good fit:

• Proficient in Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign
• Video editing software
• Extremely detail-oriented and well-organized
• Familiar with current design trends
• Can provide a portfolio of recent design samples
• Experience with HTML/CSS and various content management systems (CMS)

If you are eager to learn, enjoy coming up with creative solutions, and want to get real-world design experience with political and non-profit clients, you may be the right candidate! Interested applicants should apply by clicking the button below. Be sure to include a copy of your resume and design portfolio (or link to your online portfolio) in the email.