Senior Specialist, Public Affairs

POSITION SUMMARY: 

The American Council on Education (ACE) is the major coordinating body for the nation's colleges and universities. ACE is a membership organization that mobilizes the higher education community to shape effective public policy and foster innovative, high-quality practices. With a diverse base of member institutions, ACE represents nearly 1,700 college and university presidents and executives, serving as the only major higher education association to represent all types of U.S. accredited, degree-granting institutions. ACE's mission includes serving 280 minority serving institutions, 25,000 higher education professionals, and 7.7 million students enrolled in colleges and universities. ACE membership extends to all 50 states, Washington DC, Puerto Rico, Guam, and 21 other countries.

The Public Affairs Senior Specialist reports to the Executive Director of Public Affairs and Policy Communications and assists in a wide range of activities to promote ACE’s initiatives and public policy and advocacy work, including writing content for ACE newsletters and the website, media pitches, and other public policy/advocacy outreach documents; compiling daily headlines; maintaining and posting web content; posting to social media; and responding to media inquiries. This role will also perform other duties as required. 

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES OR TASKS:  

• Maintains up-to-date knowledge of and assists in the development and implementation of communications outreach plans to help promote visibility and awareness of ACE and its initiatives, including preparing for special events and briefings, writing press releases, compiling talking points, and providing regional and national media support. 
• Researches and helps prepare a wide range of materials for external audiences including newsletters (Higher Education and National Affairs and President to President), advocacy letters, press releases, media advisories, statements, and community letters. Will act as a backup when needed to format, test, and schedule Public Affairs newsletters. 
• Sources and assembles daily headlines and posts on website. 
• Assists the Public Affairs team with ACE’s dotEDU Live, including taking notes during meetings and prep calls, proofing show notes, uploading files and descriptions to Libsyn, and sending the audio files through Rev for the transcript 
• Screens and responds to media queries from national, local, and regional media, in coordination with the Executive Director of Public Affairs and Policy Communications.  
• Provides support as needed to some special-focus higher education community-wide activities, such as ACE’s Higher Education Builds America campaign, including planning, publications, media, and special events.  
• Represents ACE to professional associations, such as the Education Writers Association (EWA), Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) and other organizations. 
• In collaboration with the Marketing team, helps manage calendar, writing, and posting of ACE’s social media efforts,  including for the dotEDU podcast. 
• In collaboration with the rest of the Communications Department, plans and executes the public affairs promotions for ACE events (eg. ACE Annual Meeting) including writing promotional materials and press releases, helping to schedule and conduct press interviews, organize logistical arrangements, and assisting with the Annual Meeting press office.  
• Assists Director of Public Affairs and others in Communications in proofing Government Relations and Public Affairs content on the ACE website, including press releases, news stories, community letters, amicus briefs, as needed. 
• Manage media lists and track and compile quarterly report on ACE media citations. 
• Monitor online sources for all local, regional, and national press coverage of ACE and its staff members for internal distribution and posting on the website to ACE in the News page. 
• Completes additional duties as directed. 

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE/SPECIALIZED KNOWLEDGE AND COMPETENCY REQUIREMENTS: 

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent experience) 
• A minimum of 4-6 years of relevant experience. (An advanced degree may substitute for work experience.)  
• Excellent editing and writing skills.  

Preferred:  

• Experience using social media in a business or academic setting.  
• Ability to work independently and meet frequent deadlines.  
• Excellent interpersonal and communications skills and demonstrated ability to collaborate and work effectively.  
• Association, campus or political grassroots experience. 

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL EFFORT:

This role is designed as a primarily onsite position, with an expectation of four (4) days per week in the office and one (1) telework day per week. Core onsite days are Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. The fourth onsite day will typically occur on either Monday or Friday, with the alternate day serving as the telework day, in coordination with the team. The standard work schedule is 35 hours per week.

This onsite structure reflects the current design and expectations of the position and should be considered a core component of the role. While the organization periodically evaluates workplace flexibility, any future changes are not guaranteed. Candidates should apply with the understanding that this position will operate primarily onsite.

TARGETED SALARY RANGE: 76,509.00 - 95,636.00

HOW TO APPLY: 

Please submit a resume and cover letter with your application for consideration. 

APPLICATION DEADLINE: 
Applications will be accepted through April 20, 2026 or until we receive a minimum of 300 applications, whichever comes first. We encourage interested candidates to apply as early as possible, as the posting may close ahead of the listed deadline based on volume.

BENEFITS OVERVIEW: 

We offer a comprehensive and competitive benefits package, including: 

• Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance
• Flexible Spending Account
• 403B with matching incentive employer contribution
• Short term disability/Long term disability/Life insurance
• Generous PTO package
• Paid Parental Leave
• 13 paid holidays week between Christmas Eve & New Years Off
• Professional Development Opportunities
• ....and more!

For a full summary of our benefits, please reach out to the Recruiting Team.

Please Note: ACE does not accept unsolicited resumes or candidate referrals from third-party recruiters or staffing agencies. Any resumes submitted without a prior signed agreement will be considered the property of ACE, and no fees will be paid.