Associate, Public Relations, External Affairs & Communications

Associate, Public Relations, External Affairs & Communications Westport, CT About the Role The Associate, Public Relations is a member of Bridgewater’s External Affairs & Communications team and plays a critical role within the Press & Media pillar. The role is responsible for helping translate firm priorities and external communications strategy into high-quality execution across media engagements, external messaging, and press operations. Reporting to the Head of Public Relations and working closely with stakeholders across the firm, this role supports both reactive and proactive media efforts, manages core press operations, and helps ensure Bridgewater’s external communications are accurate, thoughtful, well-coordinated, and aligned with firm priorities. The Associate will be deeply involved in drafting and refining external-facing materials, coordinating media interactions, and supporting employees and senior leaders in high‑stakes, fast‑moving situations. This role requires strong judgement, excellent written communication skills, and the ability to operate with ownership in a complex, dynamic environment. Successful candidates are highly organized, comfortable managing multiple workstreams, and motivated by delivering consistently high‑quality outcomes while navigating risk, sensitivity, and ambiguity. You will have the following qualities and experience: Have a strong interest in press, media relations, and external communications, and are motivated by shaping how complex organizations engage externally. Are highly organized and operationally strong, with the ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining quality and follow-through materials. Take an ownership mindset — you don’t just execute tasks, you think ahead, flag risks, and look for ways to improve outcomes materials. Bring sound judgement and discretion, especially when working on sensitive, confidential, or reputationally significant topics. Are a collaborative partner who can work effectively across teams and levels, including with senior leaders. Thrive in fast‑paced, high‑stakes environments and approach challenges with pragmatism, rigor, and professionalism. You will drive the following responsibilities: Own day‑to‑day execution across the Press/Media pillar, operating within strategy and direction set by senior leadership while exercising sound independent judgement. Execute inbound media requests, including risk assessment, coordination, drafting talking points, and follow‑ups. Support proactive outbound media engagement in support of firm priorities, including senior leader prep, interview coordination, and conference and speaking opportunities. Draft, edit, and refine external‑facing written materials (e.g., talking points, briefing documents, backgrounders) with precision, judgement, and attention to risk. Support risk management efforts by proactively identifying sensitivities, flagging potential issues, and helping manage fast‑moving or confidential situations. Own core Press/Media operations, including media scans, client media monitoring, conference tracking, stakeholder updates, meeting preparation, and vendor coordination. Maintain organized systems and documentation that enable transparency, continuity, and scalability within the Press/Media function. Demonstrate an ownership mindset by continuously identifying opportunities to improve processes, quality, and impact. Minimum qualifications: 4+ years of professional experience in press, media relations, or strategic communications, ideally within an agency or similarly fast‑paced, high‑accountability environment. Demonstrated experience working directly with media, including pitching stories, managing relationships, and handling inbound requests. Strong written communicator with the ability to draft and refine external‑facing content with clarity, precision, and sound judgement. Highly organised and reliable, with a proven ability to manage multiple workstreams in high‑stakes environments. Exhibits sound judgement and discretion around sensitive, confidential, or reputationally significant topics; understands when to elevate and ask for help. Comfortable partnering with senior stakeholders and executives, including preparing materials and representing the Press/Media function with professionalism and expertise. Collaborative team player who works effectively across Communications, Content, Digital, Commercial, and other internal and external partners. Operates with an ownership mindset, taking accountability for outcomes and proactively identifying risks, opportunities, and improvements. Physical Requirements The onsite requirement for this role is four days per week at our Westport, CT campus, with occasional time spent at our New York City office. New York‑based candidates may have the opportunity to increase their NYC office presence over time. Compensation The wage range for this role is $150,000-200,000 inclusive of base salary and discretionary bonus. The expected base salary is between 80-90% of this range. Benefits Bridgewater offers a competitive suite of benefits. Explore more information about Bridgewater’s benefits on our website. Bridgewater reserves the right to change its current benefits program at any time, in a manner that is consistent with applicable federal and state regulations. This job description is not a contract and confers no contractual rights, privileges, or benefits on any applicant or potential applicant. Bridgewater has the right to change any and all terms of this job description, including, but not limited to, job responsibilities, qualifications and benefits. Nothing in this job description constitutes an offer or guarantee of employment. Please note that we do not provide immigration sponsorship for this position. Bridgewater Associates, LP is an Equal Opportunity Employer Bridgewater is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All employment decisions will be made without regard to race, color, creed, religion, ancestry, national origin, age, sex, marital status, civil union status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender identity or expression, present or past mental disability, learning disability, physical disability, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. #J-18808-Ljbffr