Autism Speaks is seeking a creative, highly motivated, and strategic communications professional to serve as the Senior Manager, Communications and Public Relations. The Senior Manager must be comfortable supporting rapid response communications efforts and building strong relationships with key members of the media, as well as contacts at journals, publications, and outlets relevant to the mission of the organization.
PURPOSE: The Senior Manager, Communications and PR supports the execution of strategic communications initiatives that advance Autism Speaks' mission, strengthen organizational visibility, and support media engagement across national, regional, and trade outlets.
Reporting to the Vice President Communications & Public Relations, this role supports proactive media relations efforts, executive communications, organizational messaging, and high-profile campaigns, partnerships, and events. The Senior Manager will actively pitch, secure, and coordinate media opportunities while collaborating across teams to help elevate Autism Speaks' visibility and storytelling efforts.
The ideal candidate is a strong writer and media relations professional with sound judgment, strong organizational skills, and the ability to operate effectively in a fast-moving, collaborative environment.
Primary Responsibilities
Media Relations & Public Relations
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.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
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.
Partnerships & Campaign Support
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 .
(The responsibilities listed above are representative and not all inclusive. Other duties may be assigned by supervisor/s. As outlined in your performance goal setting forms, you will be responsible for achieving the goals provided by and agreed upon with your manager).
RELATIONSHIPS:
Key Internal Relationships : Communications; Marketing; Digital/Social; Corporate Initiatives, Advocacy; Community Engagement; Services & Supports, Science; Signature Events
Key External Relationships : Corporate partners, Public Relation Agency Partners
Requirements:
Education and Experience: 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.
Skills and Knowledge:
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.
Core Competencies:
Building Collaborative Relationships
Professional Behavior
Results Driven
Customer Orientation
Flexibility
You are responsible for protecting the confidentiality, integrity and availability of all Autism Speaks data and information to which you have access.
Autism Speaks is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to fostering a diverse, multicultural, and inclusive workplace. We recruit, evaluate, employ, and promote candidates without regard to race, color, religion, age, gender identity or expression, protected veteran or military status, disability or other legally protected status. Qualified individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply for job openings. Reasonable accommodation will be provided. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.
About Autism Speaks:
At Autism Speaks, our mission is to promote solutions, across the spectrum and throughout the life span, for the needs of people with autism and their families. We do this through advocacy and support; increasing understanding and acceptance of people with autism spectrum disorder; and advancing research into causes and better interventions for autism spectrum disorder and related conditions. Together with our broad and diverse community, we strive every day to achieve our vision of a world where all people with autism can reach their full potential.
Salary range is $75,000 - $95,000
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