Public Relations Associate Jobs in Silver Spring, MD

Description

The Cato Institute seeks a strategic, proactive, and highly organized Media Relations Manager to help drive national media engagement for one of the world's leading public policy organizations. This role is responsible for building and maintaining relationships with journalists, securing high-impact media placements, managing rapid-response communications, and positioning Cato scholars as trusted experts across breaking news and long-term policy conversations.

The ideal candidate thrives in a fast-paced news environment, understands the modern media landscape, and can balance strategic planning with day-to-day execution. This position reports to the Associate Director of Media Relations and works closely with scholars, Public Affairs, Government Affairs, Publications, Digital, and external media partners.

This is a hybrid position in Washington, DC.

The salary range for this role is $75,000 - $120,000 per year. Compensation is based on the successful candidate's educational background, experience, and skills.

About Cato

The Cato Institute is a public policy research organization - a think tank - dedicated to the principles of individual liberty, limited government, free markets, and peace. Its scholars and analysts conduct independent, nonpartisan research on a wide range of policy issues.

Founded in 1977, Cato owes its name to Cato's Letters, a series of essays published in 18th-century England that presented a vision of a society free from excessive government power. Those essays inspired the architects of the American Revolution. And the simple, timeless principles of that revolution - individual liberty, limited government, and free markets - turn out to be even more powerful in today's world of global markets and unprecedented access to information than Jefferson or Madison could have imagined. Social and economic freedom is not just the best policy for a free people; it is an indispensable framework for the future.?

The Cato Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Responsibilities:

• Develop and execute proactive media outreach strategies to elevate Cato scholars, research, events, and institutional priorities
• Build and maintain relationships with national, regional, trade, and broadcast journalists
• Identify timely news hooks and rapidly respond to breaking news cycles with expert commentary and media opportunities
• Draft and distribute media pitches, expert advisories, statements, press releases, and talking points
• Coordinate interviews, media appearances, editorial board meetings, and reporter briefings
• Support opinion media strategy, including op-ed placement opportunities and commentary outreach
• Collaborate with internal teams to align media efforts with broader organizational campaigns and priorities
• Monitor media coverage, track trends, and identify emerging opportunities across policy areas
• Assist scholars with media preparation, messaging development, and interview coaching
• Maintain accurate records of outreach, placements, and journalist engagement using media databases and tracking tools
• Represent Cato at media events, conferences, and networking opportunities as needed
• Contribute to reporting on media outcomes, coverage metrics, and strategic impact

Requirements

Education/ Experience

• Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, public relations, political science, or related field
• 3-6+ years of experience in media relations, public affairs, journalism, communications, or related field
• Strong understanding of the US media landscape and news cycle dynamics
• Experience working with media monitoring and CRM tools such as Meltwater, Muck Rack, or similar platforms preferred
• Interest in public policy, economics, civil liberties, foreign policy, or related issue areas preferred
• A strong understanding of, and alignment with, libertarian or classical liberal principles preferred

Skills

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills
• Proven ability to pitch and secure earned media placements
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Professionalism and confidence working with senior scholars, journalists, and institutional leadership
• Strong news judgment and ability to identify compelling story angles
• Comfortable operating in a rapid-response environment
• Collaborative mindset with the ability to work across departments
• Self-starter who can independently manage projects and relationships
• Experience supporting high-profile media campaigns or policy communications initiatives

Benefits

All Cato employees are provided with:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Employer contribution to a Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Generous vacation and sick days
• Paid parental leave
• Employer-provided life and disability insurance
• 401(k) employer match
• Transit/ Parking benefits
• Pet discount plan

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. This position does not offer visa sponsorship.