Senior Associate

Position: Senior Associate

Location: Santa Monica or Sacramento, CA

We are Actum.

We create conversation in the public sphere and shape narratives on the most pressing issues in California. We transform complex issues into salient and resonating messages and active allies to reinforce those messages. We drive what the news covers. We are a certified woman-owned and led small business. We have offices in Sacramento and Los Angeles.

Our clients are trailblazers, disrupters, and leaders. We work with the best people and high-profile companies. Our partners including, start-ups, tech companies, nonprofits, developers, and Fortune 200 companies. Our team develops solutions at the local, state, and federal levels of government.

Our Values.

At Actum we value the work we do and the team we do it with. Our culture is driven by our values and our values impact our approach with our clients, our team and our community. Our values: 

• Together with Integrity. We value teamwork and collaboration across all work streams and are committed to excellence. We seek to understand all perspectives and act with empathy. We do what’s right. 
• Relentlessly Pursue Knowledge. We perform our work with a proactive, thorough results-driven approach that often leads to the unconventional route. We set the standard. 
• Improve Always. At the heart of Actum is a growth mindset that drives our creativity and innovations for both ourselves and clients. We create impact.
• Invest in Team. We create lasting change for our clients, but our biggest priority is creating servant leaders and investing in the well-being of our team. We champion success.

What You Will Do.

• Develop and maintain targeted media lists to ensure outreach is strategic, timely, and aligned with client priorities. 
• Craft and deliver compelling reporter pitches that secure meaningful media coverage and elevate client visibility.
• Research, draft, and edit high-quality written materials including press releases, op-eds, fact sheets, FAQs, and talking points.
• Monitor, track, and evaluate communications performance by analyzing metrics such as media impressions, website traffic, and social media engagement, and provide actionable recommendations for improvement.
• Contribute to campaign and client strategy by conducting background research, synthesizing insights, and drafting persuasive key messages that resonate with target audiences.
• Prepare and schedule engaging social media content to support integrated communications campaigns and amplify client initiatives.
• Build and manage coalition lists; initiate outreach and foster relationships with community organizations and stakeholders to broaden support and engagement.
• Provide hands-on support for events and public forums such as press conferences, city council hearings, planning commission meetings, and community engagement activities.
• Ensure the highest standard of accuracy and professionalism through meticulous attention to detail, proofreading, and quality control for all external-facing materials.

What You Will Bring.

• 2-3 years of experience in one or more of the following areas: media relations, digital/paid media, coalition or community engagement, or related communications work.
• Bachelor’s Degree in communications, public relations, journalism, political science, marketing, or a related field preferred.
• Strong writing and editing skills with proven ability to draft press releases, op-eds, talking points, fact sheets, FAQs, and social media content with accuracy and clarity.
• Media relations experience, including developing targeted media lists, pitching stories to reporters, and supporting press events.
• Analytical skills with the ability to track and interpret communications metrics (e.g., media impressions, web traffic, social engagement) and translate them into actionable insights.
• Research and strategy capabilities to gather information, analyze data, and draft persuasive key messages that resonate with target audiences.
• Attention to detail and proofreading excellence, ensuring all externally shared materials are polished and error-free.
• Strong organizational and multitasking abilities to support press conferences, city council and planning meetings, coalition outreach, and community engagement activities simultaneously.
• Interpersonal skills and professionalism to build relationships with media, stakeholders, community organizations, and coalition partners.
• Proficiency with digital tools and platforms (e.g., Microsoft Office Suite, Google Workspace, social media platforms, and media-monitoring tools).

Benefits & Perks.

We work hard and play harder. Our culture is strong at Actum and we believe in investing in and supporting our team. Some of the benefits and perks include:

• Medical, Dental, Vision benefits (with generous company contribution to premiums)
• 401k with company contribution
• Paid time off
• 12 holidays (plus time off between Christmas and New Years Day)
• ½ days ahead of Christmas, Thanksgiving and Easter
• Cell phone and home internet stipend up to $100 a month
• Team lunches, birthday celebrations, holiday celebrations, and monthly team breakfasts and happy hours
• Modern office setting with a hybrid work schedule and WFH Fridays 
• Team activities from sporting events, to hikes, volunteer opportunities, and more 
• Direct access to leadership for feedback, development, and mentorship

Compensation for the role is between $75,000 - $92,000 annually. Salary offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. 

How to Apply.

Please submit your resume and any additional portfolio materials to kgifford@actumllc.com. We look forward to reviewing your application and potentially having you as part of team Actum. 

Actum is committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive workplace for everyone. We value and celebrate our differences because those differences are what make our team shine. We hire great people from different backgrounds because it's the right thing to do and it makes us stronger as a whole. Actum is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against candidates on the basis of race, color, age, national origin/ethnicity, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, disability status, veteran status, or any other legally protected status.