Copywriting Director

Rational is hiring a Director with experience in creative concepting & copywriting to raise the quality of the concepts and writing we produce across the firm. This leader works alongside Creative, Digital, Strategic Communications, and Public Affairs to develop sharper ideas, craft compelling copy, and help teams consistently deliver strong campaigns. This is not a role built around executing all of the firm’s copywriting. It is a player-coach role: you will shape the work directly, and you will teach colleagues what good ideas and good copy look like, lifting creative concepting quality across the board. The ideal candidate can take a complex policy or business issue, find the right angle, write concisely, and adapt brand personality and tone for different clients and audiences. Big agency campaign experience is a real asset. This is not a speechwriting role. Candidates must be eager to work in a fast-paced environment, manage a diverse workload, and bring genuine interest in public affairs.

• Partner with the Creative, Digital, Public Affairs, and Strategic Communications teams to develop strong campaign concepts and ideas for client work across public affairs, corporate, and consumer campaigns
• Craft sharp copy for campaign concepts, visual creative, and client-facing materials
• Help the firm consistently produce strong campaigns, and contribute to the brainstorming structure and culture that make that possible
• Teach and coach colleagues outside the creative team on what strong ideas and copy look like, through training, working sessions, and in-the-moment feedback
• Review and elevate creative and copy across teams, giving clear, constructive direction
• Translate complex policy and business issues into the right angle, message, and story for each audience
• Adapt brand personality and tone to fit each client and campaign
• Engage in client consultation and strategy development, leveraging creative and digital to accomplish client goals
• Jump into active client campaigns where creative and copy support is most needed

Requirements

• 5-9 years of experience in creative concepting and copywriting, with a portfolio of campaigns that shows strong ideas and proven results
• Experience developing big-picture campaign concepts, ideally at a larger agency or on large-scale campaigns
• Exceptional writing skills, with the ability to take complex ideas consistently across a larger campaign
• Demonstrated ability to adapt brand personality and tone across clients, audiences, and channels
• Interest in public affairs and the ability to apply creative skills to policy, advocacy, and reputation work (this is not a speechwriting role)
• Proven ability to coach, train, and elevate the work of colleagues
• Ability to simplify what makes an idea or piece of copy effective into plain terms so others can apply it
• Experience collaborating with creative, digital, and strategy teams on campaign development
• Experience working with clients
• Strong attention to detail, with the ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment
• Familiarity with digital media channels and how creative performs across them
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Bachelor’s Degree

About Rational Rational helps clients shape markets and move decision makers. We deliver strategic communications, full-service marketing, and integrated public affairs campaigns that drive impact. For over two decades, we’ve delivered data-driven campaigns that expand and protect the commercial markets our clients depend on. Across sectors and industries, our deep bench of experienced professionals and their relentless dedication to our clients show up in our track record of growth and retention. Rooted in the success of our longstanding bipartisan Public Affairs practice, our Strategic Communications, Marketing, Digital, and Creative teams collaborate to bring you the best minds across industries. With our suite of AI-backed digital tools and Pinpoint Targeting®, we challenge assumptions and take nothing for granted. As results-driven partners, we pursue the most effective solutions for your organization. We are employee-owned. Every member of the Rational team is personally invested in our clients’ success. That means owner level attention and always-on responsiveness, every time.

Benefits

Why Join Rational?

• Collaborative team environment with exposure to high-impact work across public affairs, strategic communications, marketing and digital
• Competitive compensation and benefits, including medical, dental, and vision, 401(k) corporate match, and paid time off
• Participation in our ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Plan)
• Professional development and growth opportunities in a dynamic, fast-paced environment
• Hybrid work model with flexibility: this role requires in-person work at our HQ located in downtown DC on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays

Salary range for this role is $85,000 - $115,000 USD annually. This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. without sponsorship now or in the future. Rational is an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity and are committed to building an inclusive workplace.