Senior Media Relations & Communications Lead — Remote

Autism Speaks; United States; Remote; USD 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work hours

Weekly training sessions

Tuition reimbursement

Summer bonus Fridays

Job summary

Autism Speaks is seeking a dynamic Senior Manager, Communications and Public Relations to join our remote team. You will lead proactive media relations, draft strategic messaging, and coordinate executive communications to elevate our mission-driven storytelling across national and regional outlets.

The role requires strong writing, media instincts, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment. Occasional travel for events and high-profile campaigns is possible.

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 field.
• Proven track record pitching and securing media coverage.
• Experience drafting and editing press releases, advisories, talking points, and messaging documents.
• Experience with media monitoring, distribution, or reporting platforms.
• Experience in nonprofit, advocacy, healthcare, disability, and mission-driven environments preferred.

Responsibilities

• Support proactive media strategies tied to organizational priorities, campaigns, partnerships, advocacy initiatives, and major announcements.
• Pitch, secure, coordinate, and staff national, regional, local, and trade media opportunities.
• Build and maintain relationships with reporters, editors, and freelance writers.
• Draft and edit communications materials including press releases, advisories, talking points, and FAQs.
• Prepare executives for media interviews and staff spokespersons as needed.
• Monitor news cycles and identify timely opportunities for media engagement.
• Collaborate across teams to identify stories, spokespeople, and community perspectives.
• Maintain consistency across external communications materials and public-facing messaging.
• Help manage media lists, coverage tracking, and reporting resources.
• Coordinate with external PR agencies and partners as needed.

Skills

Media pitching

Editing materials

News judgment

Storytelling

Project management

Nonprofit comms

Education

Bachelor's degree in communications

Tools

Media monitoring platforms

Job description

Autism Speaks is seeking a dynamic Senior Manager, Communications and Public Relations to join our remote team. You will lead proactive media relations, draft strategic messaging, and coordinate executive communications to elevate our mission-driven storytelling across national and regional outlets.

The role requires strong writing, media instincts, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment. Occasional travel for events and high-profile campaigns is possible.