Senior Manager, Communications and Public Relations

Autism Speaks

Senior Manager, Communications and Public Relations managing media engagement and communication strategies at Autism Speaks. Building media relationships and supporting mission-driven storytelling to enhance visibility.

Posted 6/11/2026full-timeRemote • Illinois, New York, Washington • 🇺🇸 United StatesSenior💰 $75,000 - $95,000 per yearWebsite

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Support proactive media strategies tied to organizational priorities, campaigns, partnerships, advocacy initiatives, and major announcements
Actively pitch, secure, coordinate, and staff national, regional, local, and trade media opportunities
Build and maintain relationships with reporters, producers, editors, and freelance writers
Draft and edit communications materials including press releases, media advisories, talking points, briefing materials, statements, FAQs, and messaging documents
Support media interview preparation for executives, spokespeople, self-advocates, families, researchers, partners, and ambassadors
Monitor news cycles, identify timely opportunities for media engagement, and support rapid-response communications and sensitive media inquiries as needed
Collaborate with internal teams to identify stories, spokespeople, and community perspectives that support communications priorities and help identify gaps in available stories, voices, or subject matter relevant to proactive communications efforts
Help maintain consistency across external communications materials and public-facing messaging
Help manage media lists, coverage tracking, reporting, and communications resources
Collaborate across departments to support integrated communications efforts and ensure alignment in public-facing messaging
Coordinate with external PR agencies, consultants, partners, vendors, and other stakeholders as needed
Support internal communications processes and help manage communications approvals and workflows as needed
Serve as a communications resource for regional teams, helping support local visibility opportunities and messaging alignment
Assist with communications tied to corporate partnerships, fundraising campaigns, organizational initiatives, and community events
Assist with communications support surrounding celebrities and other high-profile supporters, and select organizational events as needed.

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, journalism, or related field preferred
6-8 years of experience in public relations, communications, media relations, journalism, or a related communications role
Track record of pitching and securing media coverage
Experience drafting and editing media materials such as press releases, media advisories, talking points, briefing materials, statements, FAQs, and messaging documents
Experience working with media monitoring, distribution, or reporting platforms
Experience working in nonprofit, advocacy, healthcare, disability, and mission-driven communications environments (preferred)
Availability for occasional travel, generally a few times per year and time-sensitive evening or weekend assignments
Commitment to respectful, community-centered communications and Autism Speaks’ mission
Strong writing, editing, proofreading, and storytelling skills with the ability to translate complex or technical topics into clear, compelling messaging
Strong news judgment, media instincts, and the ability to identify timely story opportunities
Ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines and communications needs in a fast-paced, collaborative environment
Sound judgment, professionalism and commitment to respectful, community centered communications and Autism Speaks mission
Experience using new tools and technologies, including AI, to improve workflow, efficiency, and productivity while maintaining accuracy and confidentiality.

Benefits

Comp & perks

Competitive compensation
Flex work hours
Weekly training sessions
Tuition reimbursement
Summer bonus Fridays
Creative, innovative, collaborative, inclusive, kind and fun work environment

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

media relationspublic relationscommunicationsjournalismdrafting press releasesediting media materialsstorytellingmedia monitoringreporting platformspitching media coverage

Soft Skills

strong writingeditingproofreadingnews judgmentmedia instinctstime managementcollaborationprofessionalismcommitment to community-centered communicationsability to manage multiple priorities