ACPR Federal Manager

NPR; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 132,000 - 139,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Paid time off

Retirement plan

Job summary

NPR seeks a policy and advocacy professional to build and maintain relationships with Capitol Hill and federal agencies, guiding ACPR’s federal initiatives and engagement strategies.

The role involves researching policy developments, briefing leadership, and coordinating with communications to advance NPR’s public radio mission.

Qualifications

• 5–7 years in government affairs or advocacy.
• Experience in Congress with emphasis on House and farm bill issues.
• Existing professional networks on the Hill.
• Experience navigating the federal appropriations process.
• Experience with nonpartisan advocacy initiatives.
• Proficient in MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Google Suite.
• Ability to communicate clearly to diverse audiences including officials.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain a sophisticated political network across Capitol Hill and federal agencies.
• Proactively manage a dynamic advocacy strategy for ACPR federal initiatives.
• Track, analyze, and brief leadership on legislative, regulatory, and policy developments.
• Design and execute engagement plans supporting public radio station relationships with Capitol Hill.
• Meet regularly with Hill staff to educate on public radio updates.
• Conduct in-depth research on Members of Congress to develop strategies.
• Research upcoming hearings and monitor policy announcements for internal teams.
• Collaborate with the Sr. Manager for Communications & Engagement to develop materials.

Skills

Government affairs

Congress experience (House focus)

Hill networking

Federal appropriations process

Nonpartisan advocacy

Policy communication

Collaborative work style

Bipartisan engagement

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Political Science/Public Policy/Communications

Tools

MS Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Google Suite

Job description

Washington, District of Columbia, United States

OVERVIEW

A thriving, mission-driven multimedia organization, NPR produces award-winning news, information, and music programming in partnership with hundreds of independent public radio stations across the nation. The NPR audience values information, creativity, curiosity, and social responsibility – and our employees do too. We are innovators and leaders in diverse fields, from journalism and digital media to IT and development. Every day, our employees and member stations touch the lives of millions worldwide.

Across our organization, we’re building a workplace where collaboration is essential, diverse voices are heard, and inclusion is the key to our success. We are committed to doing the right thing in our journalism and in every role at NPR. This means that integrity, adherence to our ethical standards, and compliance with legal obligations are fundamental responsibilities for every employee at NPR.

Under NPR’s Employee Code of Conduct, this employee will be considered an “Outward-Facing Employee”, and as such should (i) avoid public participation in political and partisan activities in order to protect NPR’s reputation and its ability to pursue its mission; and (ii) refrain from public statements or actions that might call into question NPR’s commitment to accuracy and fairness.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain a sophisticated political network across Capitol Hill and federal agencies, serving as a registered lobbyist; manage LDA compliance activities pertaining to ACPR.
• Proactively manage a dynamic advocacy strategy for ACPR federal initiatives in support of public radio stations.
• Track, analyze, and brief internal leadership on legislative, regulatory, and policy developments impacting ACPR’s federal strategy.
• Design and execute proactive engagement plans, including policy briefings, staff delegations, and advocacy days that support public radio station relationships with Capitol Hill.
• Regularly meet with Hill staff, including all Committees relevant to public radio, to educate them, utilizing all available communications means to keep them informed on relevant public radio updates.
• Conduct in-depth research on Members of Congress and executive branch officials to develop effective political and advocacy strategies.
• Research and track upcoming congressional hearings, monitor administrative policy announcements, and distribute notes to internal teams and coalition partners.
• Partner with the ACPR Sr. Manager for Communications & Engagement to develop and transmit ACPR advocacy materials, including hill blasts, factsheets, testimony, and blog posts.

The above duties and responsibilities are not an exhaustive list of required responsibilities, duties and skills. Other duties may be assigned, and this job description can be modified at any time.

Minimum Qualifications

• 5-7 years experience in a government affairs or advocacy role
• Time spent working in Congress with an emphasis on the House of Representatives, or working on agriculture or Farm Bill issues
• Existing professional networks on the Hill, with an emphasis on the House of Representatives
• Experience navigating the federal appropriations process
• Experience with nonpartisan advocacy initiatives
• Proficient in the use of MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Google suite products

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrable experience creating new programs, championing appropriations on behalf of a member organization and/or trade association, and/or establishing or adapting appropriations
• Awareness of local media ecosystems, emergency communications networks, rural development, and/or local cultural institutions
• Ability to communicate clearly to a variety of audiences including public radio leaders, public officials, stakeholders and the general public
• Experience working with bipartisan lawmakers and a commitment to working in a nonpartisan environment
• Willingness to work collaboratively with an evolving team
• Enthusiasm for the mission of public radio

Education Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Political Science, Public Policy, Communications or a related field, or equivalent work experience

Work Location & Requirements

• Hybrid Permitted: This is a hybrid permitted role. Some aspects of this role require duties better performed at an NPR facility. The employee will be required to be in the office at the Washington, D.C. location at least 3 days a week- Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday. The employee must also reside in an NPR-supported location based on the number of on-site days they choose.

Job Type

• This is a full-time, exempt position.

Compensation

Salary Range: The U.S.-based anticipated salary range for this opportunity is $132,000 - $139,000 plus benefits. The range displayed reflects the minimum and maximum salaries NPR expects to provide for new hires for the position across all US locations.

NPR Benefits: NPR provides comprehensive benefits for employees and dependents. Regular, full-time employees scheduled to work 30 hours or more per week are eligible to enroll in NPR’s benefits options. Benefits include access to health and wellness, paid time off, and financial well-being. Plan options include medical, dental, vision, life/ accidental death and dismemberment, long-term disability, short-term disability, and voluntary retirement savings to all eligible NPR employees.

NPR Pay Range

$132,000 - $139,000 USD

NPR is an Equal Opportunity Employer . NPR is committed to being an inclusive workplace that welcomes diverse and unique perspectives, all working toward the same goal – to create a more informed public.

If you are a person with a disability needing assistancewith the application process, please reach out to [e-mail].

You may read NPR’s privacy policy to learn about how NPR may handle information you submit with any application.

The application deadline for this role is October 9, 2026