Careers
Punchbowl News is a membership-based news community founded by Anna Palmer, Jake Sherman, John Bresnahan and Rachel Schindler focused on power, people, and politics in Washington. Punchbowl News’ theory is that power in Washington emanates from the Capitol—and that’s the center of our focus.
CURRENT OPENINGS
The Punchbowl News team is growing! Browse our current openings, or learn more about Punchbowl News on our About page.
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Chief Operating Officer
Washington DC-Baltimore Area
About Our Organization: Punchbowl News is a news content company founded by Anna Palmer, Jake Sherman, John Bresnahan, and Rachel Schindler, focused on power, people, and politics in Washington. We are looking for a Director of Marketing to join our growing team. Punchbowl News’ primary focus is breaking news about power, the nation’s political leadership and explaining to our audience of political junkies how Washington works. We produce (at least) three newsletters each day, a daily podcast, dozens of events, and more across our growing product suite. Punchbowl News’ theory is that power in Washington emanates from the Capitol – and that’s the center of our focus. Our audience includes members of Congress, high-ranking members of the Biden administration, lobbyists, top-level reporters, media executives, Wall Streeters, tech and Hollywood executives, and everyday political fans. We are looking for a Director of Marketing to help us grow Punchbowl News’ business. You will work closely with the founding team to build Punchbowl News.
FLSA Status: Exempt
Employment Status: Full-time Regular
Primary Location: Washington, DC
Job Summary: The COO will manage teams across various functions, including finance, HR, and operations, and will be responsible for ensuring that the company’s day-to-day operations run smoothly and efficiently.
Primary Job Responsibilities:
- Oversee day-to-day operations, including managing teams and external contractors across various functions to ensure the company operates efficiently and effectively.
- Work closely with the CEO and other executives to develop and implement business strategies that align with the company’s goals and objectives.
- Identify areas of the business where operational processes can be improved and develop and implement plans to optimize these processes.
- Manage financial management, including budgeting, forecasting, and ensuring that the company is operating within budgetary constraints.
- Identify and mitigate potential risks to the business, including developing and implementing risk management strategies.
- Ensure regulatory compliance and oversee legal and compliance-related matters.
- Act as a key member of the executive team, making critical decisions that impact the company’s growth and success.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in business administration, management, or related field.
- At least 10+ years of experience in a leadership role, preferably in a startup or high-growth environment.
- Strong operational expertise across various functions, including finance, marketing, HR, and operations.
- Proven track record of developing and implementing business strategies that align with company goals and objectives.
- Excellent leadership, communication, creative thinking and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to think strategically and adapt to changing business environments.
- Entrepreneurial mindset and passion for building and growing businesses.
Compensation & Benefits: $150,000 to $300,000, does not include health benefits, 401K, annual performance bonus. Final compensation will be based on scope, work experience and relevant skills.
In addition to salary, Punchbowl News is pleased to offer other benefits:
- Punchbowl News offers a 401K plan and employer-matching contributions after six months of employment.
- Punchbowl News offers robust health insurance (medical, dental and vision).
- Punchbowl News covers health insurance premiums for individuals and any qualified family members.
- Punchbowl News offers a generous and fair vacation policy with 20 days (excluding federal holidays and office-wide closures).
- Punchbowl News offers an additional two weeks of Punchbowl News wide-office vacation (end of August, end of December).
- Punchbowl News offers birth parents up to five consecutive months (20 weeks) of paid leave at full salary. Partners or non-birth parents are eligible for a total of 12 weeks of paid leave.
- Punchbowl News offers opportunities for learning and development through programs, classes and regular internal training sessions.
This job is based in Washington D.C.
Punchbowl News is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer committed to excellence through diversity. We understand the importance of fostering a workplace where every individual is valued, respected, and can contribute their best work. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals, regardless of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We are dedicated to hiring the best talent for the role and encourage candidates from underrepresented groups in tech to apply. Our commitment to inclusion drives our innovation and success.
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Marketing Director
Washington DC-Baltimore Area
About Our Organization: Punchbowl News is a news content company founded by Anna Palmer, Jake Sherman, John Bresnahan, and Rachel Schindler focused on power, people, and politics in Washington. We are looking for a Director of Marketing to join our growing team. Punchbowl News’ primary focus is breaking news about power, the nation’s political leadership and explaining to our audience of political junkies how Washington works. We produce (at least) three newsletters each day, a daily podcast, dozens of events, and more across our growing product suite. Punchbowl News’ theory is that power in Washington emanates from the Capitol – and that’s the center of our focus. Our audience includes members of Congress, high-ranking members of the Biden administration, lobbyists, top-level reporters, media executives, Wall Streeters, tech and Hollywood executives, and everyday political fans. We are looking for a Director of Marketing to help us grow Punchbowl News’ business. You will work closely with the founding team to build Punchbowl News.
FLSA Status: Exempt
Employment Status: Full-time Regular
Primary Location: Washington, DC
The Job: The Marketing Director’s primary responsibility is to supervise the marketing department. In this capacity, you are tasked with the evaluation and development of the Punchbowl News marketing strategy and marketing plan, as well as the subsequent coordination, planning, and direction of marketing initiatives. While conducting competitor research, the Marketing Director also investigates the demand for an organization’s services and products
Education and Experience
- Bachelor’s Degree in business administration, marketing and communications or relevant field
- 7–10+ years of marketing experience
- Proven experience as a Marketing Director for a consumer-facing brand
- Experience leading a team focused on growth, email, and SaaS marketing.
- Proven success growing audience and subscribers of products from 0 to 1 across free products, paid subscriptions and SaaS products
- Proven track record of driving subscription growth and managing successful marketing campaigns.
- Exquisite communication and interpersonal skills
- Excellent leadership and organizing skills analytical and creative thinking
- Experience working within Hubspot is preferred
Primary Job Duties
- Identify, develop, and evaluate marketing strategy, focusing on key subscriber goals for free-to-paid products.
- Lead a lean marketing team and oversee a marketing budget in coordination with the team
- Design and execute initiatives to drive subscription growth, including acquisition and retention strategies.
- Monitor and analyze subscription data to identify trends and opportunities for subscription improvement.
- Oversee digital marketing efforts, including SEO/SEM, email marketing, social media, and content marketing.
- Ideate and execute new opportunities for marketing opportunities outside of current channels and strategies.
- Initiate market research studies or analyze their findings.
Note: This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) incumbent in this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments. All duties and responsibilities are essential functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. To perform this job successfully, the incumbents will possess the skills, aptitudes, and abilities to perform each duty proficiently. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health or safety of themselves or others. The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills, or abilities. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at will” relationship.
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Sales Director, Subscription Revenue
Washington DC-Baltimore Area
Punchbowl News is a news company founded by Anna Palmer, Jake Sherman, John Bresnahan and Rachel Schindler focused on power, people and politics in Washington.
The Job: Ready to blend your passion for politics with the thrill of driving revenue? You cut your teeth on the Hill, transitioned to the world of public affairs or corporate government relations, and now you’re ready for a new challenge. At Punchbowl News, we’re assembling a dynamic team of Sales Directors who are as committed to our mission as they are to their career growth.
Join us to leverage your expertise and make a real impact in a high-growth, mission-driven media company.
Key Responsibilities:
- Pipeline Powerhouse: Cultivate and sustain a vibrant sales pipeline within the policy professional market, driving consistent and impressive revenue growth.
- Congressional Savvy: Use your deep knowledge of Congress and policy to craft personalized sales pitches that close deals and win over clients.
- Relationship Architect: Build and maintain long-lasting relationships with clients and key stakeholders, becoming a trusted advisor in their policy needs.
Requirements:
- Hill Experience: You’ve been in the trenches as a Legislative Assistant or Legislative Director, gaining first-hand experience in Congress.
- Legislative Intelligence: You’re familiar with legislative intelligence products and services and can speak the language of policy professionals.
- Sales Curious: We’ll train you to leverage your expertise into a high-performance Challenger Sales Leader.
- News Enthusiast: You’re an avid consumer of non-partisan political journalism and believe deeply in its crucial role in democracy.
Compensation & Benefits:
The starting salary for this role is in the range of $100,000-$150,000 base plus commission. Final compensation will be based on scope, work experience and relevant skills. In addition to salary, Punchbowl News is pleased to offer other benefits:
- Punchbowl News offers a 401K plan and employer-matching contributions after six months of employment.
- Punchbowl News offers robust health insurance (medical, dental and vision).
- Punchbowl News covers health insurance premiums for individuals and any qualified family members.
- Punchbowl News offers a generous and fair vacation policy with 20 days of vacation (excluding federal holidays and office-wide closures).
- Punchbowl News offers an additional two weeks of Punchbowl News wide-office vacation (end of August, end of December).
- Punchbowl News offers birth parents up to five consecutive months (20 weeks) of paid leave at full salary. Partners or non-birth parents are eligible for a total of 12 weeks of paid leave.
- Punchbowl News offers opportunities for learning and development through programs, classes and regular internal training sessions.
This job is based in Washington D.C.
Punchbowl News is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer committed to excellence through diversity. We understand the importance of fostering a workplace where every individual is valued, respected, and can contribute their best work. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals, regardless of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We are dedicated to hiring the best talent for the role and encourage candidates from underrepresented groups in tech to apply. Our commitment to inclusion drives our innovation and success.
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Sales Associate, Subscription Revenue
Washington DC-Baltimore Area
Punchbowl News is a news company founded by Anna Palmer, Jake Sherman, John Bresnahan and Rachel Schindler focused on power, people and politics in Washington.
Overview: You came to Washington to change the world. Maybe you’ve worked on the Hill or are just finishing up on the campaign trail. Now, you’re ready to build your career, leverage your passion for politics and policy, and explore the world of sales. Punchbowl News is looking for someone like you, where your passion for politics will drive our growth and mission forward.
Key Responsibilities:
- Scheduler: Partner with the Sales Director to set up appointments with potential clients in an assigned territory or account list.
- Sales Process Partner: Help manage the sales cycle from the first contact to closing the deal, ensuring everything runs smoothly and efficiently.
- Insight Analyst: Conduct thorough research on potential clients, providing key insights and trends to help shape personalized pitches.
- Client Success Champion: Ensure that prospective clients have a seamless and positive experience from initial contact through to successful onboarding and beyond.
Requirements:
- Political Experience: 1-3 years of work experience ideally in Congress or on the campaign trail.
- Communicator Extraordinaire: Your communication skills are top-notch, and you’re great at organizing and managing details.
- Team Player: You thrive in a collaborative environment, always ready to support your team.
- News Enthusiast: You’re an avid consumer of non-partisan political journalism and believe deeply in its crucial role in democracy.
Compensation & Benefits:
The starting salary for this role is in the range of $75,000- $95,000 base plus commission. Final compensation will be based on scope, work experience and relevant skills. In addition to salary, Punchbowl News is pleased to offer other benefits:
- Punchbowl News offers a 401K plan and employer-matching contributions after six months of employment.
- Punchbowl News offers robust health insurance (medical, dental and vision).
- Punchbowl News covers health insurance premiums for individuals and any qualified family members.
- Punchbowl News offers a generous and fair vacation policy with 20 days of vacation (excluding federal holidays and office-wide closures).
- Punchbowl News offers an additional two weeks of Punchbowl News wide-office vacation (end of August, end of December).
- Punchbowl News offers birth parents up to five consecutive months (20 weeks) of paid leave at full salary. Partners or non-birth parents are eligible for a total of 12 weeks of paid leave.
- Punchbowl News offers opportunities for learning and development through programs, classes and regular internal training sessions.
This job is based in Washington D.C.
Punchbowl News is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer committed to excellence through diversity. We understand the importance of fostering a workplace where every individual is valued, respected, and can contribute their best work. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals, regardless of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We are dedicated to hiring the best talent for the role and encourage candidates from underrepresented groups in tech to apply. Our commitment to inclusion drives our innovation and success.
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Spring 2025 Editorial Internship
Washington DC-Baltimore Area
Duration: Feb. 4 – April 24, 2025
Hours: Tuesday – Thursday, up to 24 hours per week
Compensation: $23 per hour
Punchbowl News is hiring two editorial interns for spring 2025 in Washington, D.C. We’re looking for ambitious journalism and media students interested in learning the ropes of covering the power, people and politics surrounding Congress.
Our internship program is an exciting opportunity for aspiring journalists to gain first-hand Washington reporting experience, hone the skills they’ve learned in school and launch their careers in journalism.
This internship will be in person in Washington, D.C. Interns can expect to spend much of their time on Capitol Hill, reporting and interviewing lawmakers and collaborating with the rest of the editorial team.
What to expect:
- Hands-on coaching on the basics of covering Congress, Washington and the election, including following the most important legislative efforts moving on Capitol Hill
- Opportunities to pitch stories and break news on key people and issues driving the day in Washington
- One-on-one weekly coaching and mentorship with Punchbowl News’ seasoned editorial staff
- The intern will report to work three days a week from Tuesday through Thursday. Students can be enrolled in classes with their respective colleges on Mondays and Fridays.
- Expect to contribute to multiple items each week for our flagship newsletters, Punchbowl News AM, Midday and PM
- Pitch in on Punchbowl News’ editorial projects, including researching, reporting and writing
Qualifications:
Internship candidates must:
- Be at least juniors, seniors or graduate students enrolled in an accredited college for the duration of the internship. Proof of enrollment will be required.
- Have a keen interest in pursuing a career in journalism and media
- Be willing and able to work in a fast-paced environment
- Be willing to learn and grow with the guidance of Punchbowl News staff
- Eligible to work in the U.S.
How to apply
Please email your complete application materials to internship@punchbowl.news by Nov. 22, 2025.
Your application must include:
- A resume
- Cover Letter
- Proof of college enrollment
- A letter of recommendation from an academic advisor, professor or previous internship manager
- 3-5 story clips that showcase your best work
Prospective applicants must be available Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays in person for the duration of the internship.
About Punchbowl News
Punchbowl News was founded by Anna Palmer, Jake Sherman, John Bresnahan and Rachel Schindler in 2021. We focus on covering power, people and politics in Washington. We’re committed to building a diverse and collaborative workplace.
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