Senior Communications & PR Lead — Remote (Nonprofit)

The Business of HLTH Podcast; Washington (District of Columbia); Remote; USD 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Autism Speaks is seeking a Senior Manager, Communications and Public Relations to join our remote team. The role focuses on elevating our voice, building media connections, and supporting mission-driven storytelling.

Reporting to the Vice President Communications & Public Relations, the Senior Manager will lead proactive media relations, executive communications, and high-profile campaigns, partnering with internal teams to ensure consistent, accurate messaging in a fast-paced nonprofit

Qualifications

• 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 related role.
• Track record of pitching and securing media coverage.
• Experience drafting and editing media materials such as press releases and talking points.
• Experience with media monitoring, distribution, or reporting platforms.
• Experience in nonprofit, advocacy, healthcare, or mission-driven communications (preferred).
• Availability for occasional travel, a few times per year, including evenings or weekends.
• Commitment to respectful, community-centered communications and Autism Speaks’ mission.

Responsibilities

• Support proactive media strategies tied to organizational priorities and major announcements.
• Pitch, secure, coordinate, and staff national, regional, local, and trade media opportunities.
• Build and maintain relationships with reporters, editors, and writers.
• Draft and edit press releases, media advisories, talking points, and messaging documents.
• Prepare executives for media interviews and provide spokesperson coaching.
• Monitor news cycles and support rapid-response communications.
• Collaborate with teams to identify stories and spokespeople for proactive outreach.
• Maintain consistency across external communications and public-facing messaging.
• Manage media lists, coverage tracking, and communications resources.

Skills

Pitching media coverage

Drafting & editing materials

Media monitoring platforms

Nonprofit/advocacy healthcare

Travel availability

Strong writing & storytelling

News judgment

Multi-priority management

Professionalism & discretion

AI-enabled workflows

Education

Bachelor's degree in communications, PR, journalism or related field

Job description

Autism Speaks is seeking a Senior Manager, Communications and Public Relations to join our remote team. The role focuses on elevating our voice, building media connections, and supporting mission-driven storytelling.

Reporting to the Vice President Communications & Public Relations, the Senior Manager will lead proactive media relations, executive communications, and high-profile campaigns, partnering with internal teams to ensure consistent, accurate messaging in a fast-paced nonprofit