Senior Manager, Communications – Media Relations

Public Rights Project

Senior Manager of Communications at Public Rights Project managing media relations and rapid response communications. Leading a team to ensure clarity and impact for civil rights narratives.

Posted 8/1/2026full-timeRemote • 🇺🇸 United StatesSenior💰 $105,600 - $158,400 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in rapid response communications, media relations, and public affairs, with a strong ability to manage high-stakes situations and cultivate journalist relationships. Proficient in developing communication strategies and supervising teams to ensure effective messaging and media engagement.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Rapid Response CommunicationsMedia Relations ManagementTeam SupervisionPress Release DevelopmentMedia Monitoring Proficiency

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Communications ExecutionEditorial BackgroundDrafting Press ReleasesEditing External MaterialsHigh-Volume CommunicationsMedia Strategy DevelopmentEscalation ProtocolsMessage FrameworksSpokesperson PreparationHigh-Stakes Environment Experience

Soft Skills

LeadershipProfessional Development SupportRelationship Cultivation

Tools & Technologies

MeltwaterMedia Monitoring Platforms

Industry Keywords

Civil RightsImmigrationDemocracyCriminal JusticePublic AffairsLegal LandscapePolicy Issues

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Serve as PRP's primary rapid response lead, monitoring the news cycle in real time and driving fast, accurate communications responses to breaking legal, legislative, and policy developments
Partner closely with PRP's legal and program teams to understand active litigation, court filings, and rulings
Develop and maintain rapid response infrastructure: message frameworks, holding statements, escalation protocols, and spokesperson activation systems
Cultivate and maintain high-value journalist relationships across civil rights, immigration, democracy, criminal justice, and local government beats
Lead media strategy and press relations, managing embargoed releases, press conferences, and media briefings
Directly supervise the Media Relations Coordinator, providing day-to-day guidance and professional development support

Requirements

What you’ll need

Seven (7) to ten (10) years of relevant professional experience in communications, media relations, rapid response, or public affairs
Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of training, education, and experience
At least three (3) years of experience directly supervising or managing staff within a communications, media relations, or public affairs function
Demonstrated track record of high-volume, high-quality communications execution
Demonstrated track record of leading rapid response communications in fast-moving, high-stakes environments
Editorial background and experience drafting, editing, and finalizing press releases, op-eds, statements, and other external materials to a publication-ready standard
Significant success securing earned media placements in national and regional outlets
Experience preparing organizational spokespersons—including elected officials or government leaders—for media appearances and high-profile press engagements
Proficiency with Meltwater or comparable media monitoring and analytics platforms
Familiarity with the legal and civil rights landscape, and comfort translating complex litigation and policy issues for broad audiences.

Benefits

Comp & perks

Fully remote organization
Core working hours aligned with Pacific Time
Opportunities for professional development