ACPR State Manager

NPR; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 115,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and dental benefits

Paid time off

Hybrid work option

Job summary

NPR in Washington, DC is seeking a seasoned advocate to manage state-level campaigns for public radio stations. You will coordinate with leadership to align advocacy across states, develop tailored plans, and produce materials for lawmakers and stakeholders.

The role requires 5–7 years in nonpartisan advocacy, superb writing and project-management skills, and the ability to translate policy into clear guidance for diverse audiences. Hybrid work with occasional on-site days in DC is available.

Qualifications

• 5-7 years of experience in nonpartisan advocacy, state and local government, campaigns or some combination thereof.
• Experience in a government affairs or advocacy role, preferably at a membership organization or trade association working across multiple states and/or stakeholder groups.
• Experience producing communications and/or campaign deliverables.
• Awareness of the local media landscape.
• Proficient in the use of MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Google suite products.

Responsibilities

• Act as the primary project manager for targeted state grassroots campaigns; coordinates with the ACPR Advocacy Director as the primary contact for states/territories.
• Support grassroots mobilizations and messaging through digital content, partner updates and other communications.
• Coordinate with public radio stations to draft state advocacy plans and materials.
• Monitor state legislative and regulatory activity across assigned regions.
• Translate complex state policy impacts and budgets into plain-language summaries and talking points.
• Plan, prepare, and staff advocacy visits with state offices, identifying targets and briefing packets.
• Build and maintain relationships with state associations and stakeholders engaging on state policy for public radio.

Skills

Project management

Written communication

Policy translation

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Political Science, Public Policy, Communications or related field

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.

Responsibilities

• Act as the primary project manager for targeted state grassroots campaigns supporting public radio stations; coordinates with the ACPR Advocacy Director to serve as the primary point of contact and liaison for specified states/territories to align state advocacy capacity.
• Work in coordination with the ACPR Sr. Manager for Communications & Engagement to support grassroots mobilizations and messaging through digital content, partner updates and other forms of communication.
• Closely coordinate with public radio stations to create tailored state advocacy plans, draft model legislation, and prepare supporting materials like one-pagers and formal testimonies or organize advocacy days.
• Monitor state legislative and regulatory activity, including budget debates, hearings, and regulatory meetings, related to public radio across assigned regions and specific subject areas.
• Translate complex state policy impacts and fiscal budgets into clear, plain-language summaries, policy briefs, and talking points for clients or coalition partners.
• Plan, prepare, and staff tours or advocacy visits with state legislative and administrative offices, including identifying key targets and compiling briefing packets.
• Build and maintain relationships with state-level associations, grasstops stakeholders, and other national-level stakeholders that engage on state policy relevant to public radio.

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 of experience in nonpartisan advocacy, state and local government, campaigns or some combination thereof
• Experience in a government affairs or advocacy role, preferably at a membership organization or trade association working across multiple states and/or stakeholder groups
• Experience producing communications and/or campaign deliverables
• Awareness of the local media landscape
• Proficient in the use of MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Google suite products

Preferred Qualifications

• Existing professional network in the field of state and local advocacy, research and/or policy development
• Existing expertise in media, journalism and/or local cultural institutions
• Experience working on nonpartisan state and local campaign initiatives
• Ability to write clearly for a variety of audiences including public radio leaders, public officials, stakeholders and the general public
• Excellent administrative skills and project management
• 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 year. 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 $115,000 - $125,000 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.

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.

This company has demonstrated its commitment to being:

Respectful

Provides candidates with inclusive and positive experiences

As set forth in NPR’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy,we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

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