Senior Manager, Communications and Public Relations

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in Illinois, +2 more states.

📋 Description

• Assist in the development of proactive media strategies aligned with organizational goals, campaigns, partnerships, advocacy initiatives, and key announcements.

• Proactively pitch, secure, coordinate, and support national, regional, local, and trade media opportunities.

• Cultivate and maintain relationships with journalists, producers, editors, and freelance writers.

• Create and refine communication materials including press releases, media advisories, talking points, briefing documents, statements, FAQs, and messaging materials.

• Aid in the preparation of executives, spokespeople, self-advocates, families, researchers, partners, and ambassadors for media interviews.

• Track news cycles, spot timely media engagement opportunities, and assist with rapid-response communications and sensitive media inquiries as necessary.

• Work with internal teams to uncover stories, identify spokespeople, and gather community perspectives that support communication priorities while pinpointing any gaps in available narratives, voices, or topics relevant to proactive communication efforts.

• Ensure consistency across external communication materials and public-facing messaging.

• Manage media lists, coverage tracking, reporting, and communication resources.

• Collaborate across departments to enhance integrated communication efforts and ensure alignment in external messaging.

• Coordinate with external PR agencies, consultants, partners, vendors, and other stakeholders as required.

• Assist in internal communication processes and manage communication approvals and workflows as needed.

• Act as a communication resource for regional teams, facilitating local visibility opportunities and messaging consistency.

• Support communications related to corporate partnerships, fundraising initiatives, organizational projects, and community events.

• Provide communication assistance around celebrities and other high-profile supporters, as well as selected organizational events when necessary.

⛳️ Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, journalism, or a related field is preferred.

• 6-8 years of experience in public relations, communications, media relations, journalism, or a similar communications role.

• Proven history of pitching and securing media coverage.

• Proficiency in drafting and editing media materials such as press releases, media advisories, talking points, briefing documents, statements, FAQs, and messaging documents.

• Experience with media monitoring, distribution, or reporting platforms.

• Background in nonprofit, advocacy, healthcare, disability, and mission-driven communication environments is preferred.

• Willingness to travel occasionally, typically a few times a year, including time-sensitive evening or weekend assignments.

• Dedication to respectful, community-centered communications and Autism Speaks’ mission.

• Excellent writing, editing, proofreading, and storytelling abilities, with a knack for translating complex or technical subjects into clear, engaging messaging.

• Strong news judgment, media instincts, and capacity to spot timely story opportunities.

• Ability to juggle multiple priorities, deadlines, and communication needs in a fast-paced, collaborative setting.

• Sound judgment, professionalism, and commitment to respectful, community-centered communications and Autism Speaks' mission.

• Familiarity with new tools and technologies, including AI, to enhance workflow, efficiency, and productivity while ensuring accuracy and confidentiality.

🏝️ Benefits

• Competitive compensation.

• Flexible work hours.

• Weekly training sessions.

• Tuition reimbursement.

• Summer bonus Fridays.

• A creative, innovative, collaborative, inclusive, kind, and enjoyable work environment.