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Public Affairs Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Scout Motors

Public Affairs Specialist

Charlotte, NC · On-site

The Role As Public Affairs Specialist , you'll become part of the team that is set to reimagine the iconic Scout brand and disrupt the American pickup truck and rugged SUV marketplace. Reporting to ...

Prsala

Director of Public Affairs

Culver City, CA · On-site

$205.69 - $249.99/hr

Position Director of Public Affairs Job Classification Chief Public Affairs & Community Engagement Officer Location & Employer City of Culver City, CA Salary Up to $205,691 - $249,995 DOE/DOQ ...

West 4th Strategy

Public Affairs Specialist

Petersburg, VA · On-site

$75K - $110K/yr

Public Affairs Specialist ROLE We need an experienced Public Affairs Specialist at the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA). This role supports public affairs, strategic communications, and ...

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Public Affairs information

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$36.5K

$85.7K

$117K

How much do public affairs jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 29, 2026, the average yearly pay for public affairs in the United States is $85,669.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $66,000.00 and $112,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is public affairs?

Public affairs refers to the management of relationships between organizations and governments, the media, and the public. Professionals in this field work to influence public policy, communicate key messages, and advocate for their organization’s interests. They often monitor legislative and regulatory developments, build relationships with stakeholders, and execute communication strategies. Public affairs roles are common in government agencies, corporations, non-profits, and trade associations.

How does a public affairs professional typically collaborate with other departments within an organization?

Public Affairs professionals frequently work cross-functionally, collaborating closely with departments such as Communications, Legal, Government Relations, and Marketing. They help ensure that messaging is consistent and align organizational objectives with public policy or stakeholder expectations. This collaboration often involves joint planning of campaigns, coordinating responses to regulatory changes, and managing external communications during sensitive situations. Building strong relationships with internal teams is key to effectively representing the organization’s interests to external audiences.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a public affairs professional, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Public Affairs professional, you need strong written and verbal communication skills, a background in political science, communications, or public relations, and often a relevant degree. Familiarity with media monitoring tools, social media platforms, stakeholder management systems, and sometimes certifications like APR (Accredited in Public Relations) are beneficial. Exceptional interpersonal skills, strategic thinking, and adaptability help professionals build relationships and navigate complex, dynamic environments. These skills are crucial for effectively managing public perception, fostering stakeholder engagement, and supporting organizational objectives.

What is the difference between Public Affairs vs Public Relations?

AspectPublic AffairsPublic Relations
Primary FocusGovernment relations, policy advocacy, stakeholder engagementBrand image, media relations, reputation management
Work EnvironmentGovernment agencies, non-profits, corporations engaging with policymakersMedia outlets, marketing firms, corporate communication departments
Required CredentialsCommunications, political science, public policy degrees; often requires understanding of legislationCommunications, marketing, journalism degrees; focus on media and messaging skills
Common UsageUsed by organizations to influence policy and government decisionsUsed to shape public perception and media coverage

While both roles involve strategic communication, Public Affairs primarily focuses on government relations and policy advocacy, whereas Public Relations centers on managing a company's public image and media relations. Understanding these differences helps organizations target their communication efforts effectively.

Is public affairs a stressful job?

Public affairs professionals often face stress due to managing multiple stakeholders, tight deadlines, and the need for clear communication. The job can involve high-pressure situations, especially during crises or policy changes, but workload and stress levels vary depending on the organization and specific role. Strong organizational skills and resilience help manage these challenges effectively.

What degree do I need for public affairs?

A bachelor's degree in public affairs, political science, communications, or a related field is typically required for public affairs roles. Advanced positions may require a master's degree or specialized certifications, and strong skills in policy analysis, communication, and stakeholder engagement are important.

What does a public affairs job do?

A public affairs job involves managing an organization’s relationships with government agencies, media, and the public to promote its interests and reputation. Professionals in this field develop communication strategies, monitor policy developments, and often work with stakeholders to influence public policy or public opinion. Strong communication skills and knowledge of government processes are essential for success in this role.
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Cities with the most Public Affairs job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Public Affairs jobs?

The most popular types of Public Affairs jobs are:

What states have the most Public Affairs jobs?

States with the most job openings for Public Affairs jobs include:

What job categories do people searching Public Affairs jobs look for?

The top searched job categories for Public Affairs jobs are:

Public Affairs jobs near you
Infographic showing various Public Affairs job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 81% Full Time, 14% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 93% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $85,669 per year, or $41.2 per hour.

Director, Public Affairs

Sacramento, CA • On-site

Lucas Public Affairs
Public Relations Agencies • 11 - 50 employees
Learn more about Lucas Public Affairsexternal

Full-time

Re-posted 3 days ago

Job description

About Us

As a women-led, Sacramento-based public affairs firm, Lucas Public Affairs is known for its high-level reputation, issue management, and strategic communication campaigns. On every project, we lead with smart strategy, diversity of thought, and deep-rooted connections to get the right people to care about issues that define California's future.


LPA is also a member company of Public Policy Holding Company, Inc., providing us with the unique ability to collaborate with both domestic and international leading government relations and public affairs firms to best serve client needs, and to provide employees with the benefits that come from working in a dual-listed, publicly traded company listed on NASDAQ in the US and on the London Stock Exchange.


Position Overview

The Director is a strategic partner to senior leadership, responsible for account management, client team performance, and account team supervision and development. The Director is responsible for ensuring client expectations are met and that the client service team is on-time and on-strategy for completing strategic communications program deliverables and commitments. The Director is also responsible for providing continual mentorship and guidance to the account teams. This role requires occasional travel to attend client meetings and/or events.


As a Director, you will:

  • Spearhead public affairs/strategic communications key client account activities, work deliverables and strategic planning; be independently accountable for implementation of public affairs strategies.
  • Support new business initiatives, departmental growth, and company marketing and branding; be forward-thinking on expanding past existing scope of client work and requests.
  • Lead client meetings; develop and present proposals, manage strategic plans, disseminate client memos/correspondence, and deliver client performance reports.
  • Develop and monitor account team activity against client budgets and project team hours for accounts.
  • Deliver integrated programs (owned, earned, and paid); consistently meet billability and capacity targets.
  • Approve and disseminate press releases, fact sheets, news advisories, and social content.
  • Simultaneously manage multiple client reports and deliverables; manage client expectations of deliverable due dates.
  • Provide continual feedback, mentor, and assist with the professional development of account teams; consistently check in with team to ensure deliverables are on time, in-budget, and high quality.
  • Support the supervision and delegation of tasks to junior staff including but not limited to tracking news clips, maintaining and updating key client files, documenting client updates, and other essential client support activities; oversee quality of work deliverables and professional development targets.
  • Contribute to the firm's culture, through agency initiatives & events to support a collaborative and collegial work environment.
  • Perform other duties as needed to achieve departmental and company goals.

To be successful, you will need:

  • Bachelor's degree with a major in public affairs, government relations, journalism, or related degree field
  • A minimum of 6 years of experience in public affairs, government affairs/lobbying, journalism, or related experience
  • Proven success in developing, implementing, and executing successful strategic communications programs
  • Demonstrated ability to lead teams, drive performance, and foster a positive work environment
  • Industry knowledge and experience, including a broad knowledge of concepts related to multiple industries, such as: energy, higher education, public health, tourism, technology, health care, insurance and transportation
  • Strong knowledge and understanding of California's political and public affairs environment, regulatory issues, and the news media
  • Demonstrate social and digital media enthusiasm and have proven success delivering innovative ways to leverage the latest trends and platforms
  • Proven track record of implementing/executing strategic communications programs
  • Ability to simultaneously manage multiple projects and collaborate with senior level staff
  • Excellent interpersonal and communications skills (e.g., verbal, written, and over the phone)
  • Superior organizational skills and attention to detail
  • Ability to work in a fast-paced environment 

We prefer that you have:

  • Agency experience, specifically in public affairs/public policy, is highly preferred
  • Bachelor's degree with a major in public affairs, government relations, journalism, or related degree field
  • Legislative and/or media experience

Schedule:

  • Typical office hours - Monday through Friday, 8:30-5:30
  • Hybrid - Minimum of three days per week in the Sacramento office

What We Offer

  • Unlimited vacation policy and 6 sick days
  • Competitive Medical/Dental/Vision coverage for employees and families
  • 401K plan with traditional and Roth options
  • $100 monthly phone stipend and company paid parking
  • Company paid basic life insurance of $50,000, long-term disability, and short-term disability coverage
  • Professional development, mentoring, and community engagement opportunities
  • Access to a wide range of health and well-being resources and services including telephonic counseling, legal advice, and other services


Core Values | Philosophy

Our core value as a strategic partner is defined not by what we do, but by what we help our clients achieve. We are a diverse, talented and well-connected team that is 100% committed to delivering results. Put simply, we are problem solvers who are unequivocally committed to our clients' success.   


Diversity Commitment & Vision

LPA is an equal opportunity employer. LPA recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, veteran status, and other protected status as required by applicable law. At LPA, we have a strategic vision: to be a diverse and inclusive community of passionate, talented people dedicated to delivering creative solutions for our clients. We believe deeply in diversity of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, national origin, political affiliation, and all the other enriching characteristics that make us different and inform our point of view.


Additional Information

While performing the duties of this job, employees are regularly required to sit, walk, and stand; talk or hear, both in person and by telephone; use hands repetitively to handle, feel, or operate standard office equipment; reach with hands and arms; and lift up to 25 pounds. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.