Managing Director

As Arc builds new ventures alongside its core public affairs and communications practice, we're seeking a Managing Director whose full focus will be the core practice. The Managing Director joins our executive team and runs that practice day-to-day, working closely with the partners on strategy, clients, and growth. The Opportunity You'll set direction for Arc's consulting business alongside experienced colleagues, including people who have helped shape the firm for more than a decade. With support from fellow executives and practice heads, you'll own the consulting team's performance and growth, establish its management rhythm, and align teams around clear priorities and accountability. This is a hands-on role with a visible, in-person presence for staff and clients. You'll support experienced practitioners, coach emerging talent, and help people take on greater responsibility as the business grows. You'll understand the full range of work Arc delivers without needing to be the top practitioner in every discipline. Your expertise is in leading people, building teams, and turning strong ideas into action. The role is heavily performance-based, and the right person will be rewarded for the growth they drive. What You'll Own 37 Firm leadership: turn the firm's priorities into clear plans, owners, and goals, run recurring all-staff meetings, and serve as a trusted partner on strategy, staffing, and growth37 Team performance: you're accountable for revenue and new business goals, client retention, and making sure client teams deliver on their contracts37 Business development: own the firm's pipeline, build relationships, sharpen pitches, and close new work alongside the partners37 Structure and talent: own roles, reporting lines, and expectations across the consulting team, and performance management37 Building for growth: identify the capabilities Arc will need next and decide whether to build them through hiring, development, or partnerships37 Accountability and reporting: build the management rhythm across the firm, including marketing and business development reporting, and present results to Arc's Partners and executive team37 Senior Leader: step in as the senior strategist when a client or team hits a hard problem, carry a select group of client relationships of your own, and bring new tools and tactics into the firm What Success Looks Like in Year One Working alongside Arc's executive team and practice heads, you'll bring dedicated focus to the consulting business. In your first year, success will include: 37 Arc's consulting team runs on an established management rhythm you've shaped, with clear roles, reporting lines, and accountability37 Experienced and emerging managers have the support and authority to develop their teams and deliver on business goals37 The consulting pipeline grows, with new business wins against targets agreed with the partners37 A shared talent and capability strategy guides investment in Arc's next stage of growth37 Staff, clients, and executive colleagues know you as a trusted, visible presence who builds lasting relationships About You You're conversant across the range of campaign, communications, and advocacy tactics, including paid media and creative, digital, creator and influencer programs, public affairs, and lobbying. You don't need to be a deep expert in every discipline, but you should understand how they fit together and be able to guide the specialists who deliver the work. Your deepest expertise is in structure, team management, accountability, and systems. You're someone who: 37 Turns a talented group of people into a cohesive, high-performing team37 Sets clear expectations and follows through on them37 Asks "How are we actually going to do that?" and holds people to the answer37 Uses strong judgment about people, priorities, clients, and resources37 Is commercially minded and comfortable owning business development and firm performance37 Brings fresh thinking about modern campaigning, communications, and technology37 Wants to be the leader in the room: in our DC office Monday through Thursday and some Fridays, and the senior person staff see and come to day to day What You Bring 37 Typically 15+ years in political consulting, campaigns, government, advocacy, or public affairs, including significant time leading teams and running an organization, practice, or department37 Senior operational and political experience, such as chief of staff on a major campaign or in government, a senior role at a party committee or campaign headquarters, or leadership at a lobbying or public affairs firm37 A record of managing senior professionals and building organizations that perform37 Experience winning business and growing senior client relationships37 Experience managing budgets, revenue goals, and staffing decisions37 A strong consultant's instincts and a clear understanding of how a consulting business makes money37 A deep commitment to progressive causes Please keep in mind: Research has shown that candidates from underrepresented backgrounds only apply to jobs when they meet 100% of the requirements vs. their majority counterparts, which apply at a much higher rate if they meet 50-60% of the requirements. To that end, if you are interested in the role, we would love to hear how you can leverage your talents to be an excellent addition to the Arc Initiatives team. The Details 37 Base salary: Base salary of $220-250,000, depending on experience37 Performance bonus tied to firm goals, including revenue, new business, and team leadership37 Salaried, non-equity leadership position37 Health coverage (CareFirst PPO, 80% employer-paid), plus dental and vision37 Short- and long-term disability insurance37 401(k) with employer match up to 4%37 FSA with a $500 employer contribution37 Cell phone reimbursement up to $150 a month37 Paid leave, medical days, and paid parental leave We're looking for the right fit and will keep this position open until we find that person. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis