The Vice President of Public Affairs leads strategic growth within the public affairs, nonprofit, and advocacy sectors. This executive-level role is responsible for shaping agency visibility in values-driven markets, cultivating long-term client relationships, and managing a team to expand mission-aligned business. The VP partners with senior leadership to guide pitch strategy, external presence, and revenue performance.
- Direct the agency's new business strategy in the advocacy and public affairs sectors.
- Oversee development of high-impact proposals, RFP responses, and pitch materials tailored to mission-driven audiences.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with consultants, foundations, advocacy organizations, and aligned agency partners.
- Serve as lead executive on large-scale campaigns, policy initiatives, and coalition-based pitches.
- Guide internal strategy sessions to align offerings with public affairs market trends.
- Represent the agency at advocacy conferences, policy events, and values-aligned networking opportunities.
- Collaborate cross-functionally to ensure proposals reflect cultural competence, audience expertise, and equity principles.
- Contribute to long-term planning, budgeting, and performance analysis for the public affairs vertical.
- Oversee team reporting and ensure CRM accuracy for forecasting and performance tracking.
- Submit expense reports and timesheet approvals accurately and on time.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Our ideal candidate may also have extensive experience in some or all of the following:
- 10+ years of experience in public affairs, campaign strategy, or mission-driven business development, preferred
- Proven experience managing sales pipelines, securing high-value contracts, and scaling strategic client work
- Deep understanding of political, nonprofit, or foundation funding ecosystems
- Demonstrated ability to lead teams and represent complex offerings externally
- Strong writing, presentation, and relationship-building skills
- Familiarity with Salesforce or similar CRM tools
Optimal is proud to offer:
- Base salary that commensurates with experience with an opportunity for limitless earning potential via commissions.
- Open leave (paid time off)
- Paid leave for new parents
- Medical, Dental, and Vision with Nationwide Coverage
- Flex Spending Plan
- Employee Assistance Program
- 401K with company matching
- Student Loan Repayment Program
- Professional development opportunities
- Rewards and recognition programs
- Mobile phone & home internet reimbursement and much more!
This position will be based out of Washington, DC or New York. We work on a hybrid basis with many team members working entirely from home. Work hours are consistently 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday - Friday, with the expectation that evening and weekend work will be required as necessary.
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