Press Relations Manager

About the role

Unruled Masses (UM) is a nonpartisan 501(c)(3) nonprofit public‑interest intelligence organization focused on exposing corruption, abuse of power, and systemic exploitation while helping communities peacefully reclaim agency, accountability, and civic life. The organization combines rigorous intelligence tradecraft with public‑facing analysis and real‑world civic action, aiming to research and expose abuses of power, educate the public, empower people to counter corruption through nonviolent civic action, and inspire hope through community.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and maintain a comprehensive media relations strategy tailored to a remote, high‑stakes nonprofit environment.
• Write compelling press releases, media advisories, op‑eds, and pitch letters that translate complex investigative findings into clear, impactful news stories.
• Build and maintain a targeted database of journalists, editors, producers, and independent creators across mainstream, investigative, and alternative media.
• Actively pitch stories, investigative reports, and organization milestones to secure high‑quality print, digital, broadcast, and podcast coverage.
• Create and manage opportunities for media interviews, brief spokespeople, and prepare talking points to ensure consistent, secure messaging.
• Exceptional volunteers may serve as the Lead Communications Strategist for major global campaigns or rapid‑response investigative drops.
• Develop comprehensive media training modules and crisis communications protocols for organizational spokespeople.
• Architect long‑term public relations and brand positioning strategies as the nonprofit grows.
• Mentor and lead junior PR volunteers, copywriters, or media monitoring coordinators.

Requirements

Applicants must be located in the United States (USA residents only).

Qualifications

• Proven PR expertise: experience in public relations, media relations, or communications, with a strong grasp of how newsrooms operate and what journalists look for in a story.
• Program & campaign creation: track record of building media lists, drafting press materials, and executing successful media pitches or PR campaigns from scratch.
• Exceptional writing & communication: superior storytelling and editing skills, with the ability to distill dense intelligence or legal data into clear, punchy, and objective copy.
• Media navigation skills: strong interpersonal skills and the confidence to pitch to journalists, follow up persistently, and coordinate fast‑turnaround interview requests.
• Mission alignment & discretion: demonstrated interest in social justice and accountability, paired with an absolute commitment to organizational security and strict information barriers.
• Reliability: comfortable working independently and remotely in a fluid, dynamic, and fast‑paced media environment.

Skills

• Understanding of unique media dynamics and risks associated with investigative journalism.
• Anti‑corruption and legal reporting.
• Crisis communications & reputation management.
• High‑security & confidential environments.
• Digital/alternative media ecosystems.
• Protecting vulnerable sources/whistleblowers in the public eye.

Benefits

• Strategic leadership experience: see your PR strategies and media campaigns directly shape the public profile and impact of a global intelligence organization.
• Founding team status: be one of the original operational voices establishing the media foundation and public narrative of a new kind of nonprofit.
• Professional growth: apply your communications expertise to a highly unique, cutting‑edge environment, collaborating with investigative journalists, analysts, and activists.
• Networking: connect with a global community focused on democracy‑building, anti‑corruption, and public‑interest work, as well as top‑tier investigative journalists.
• Be part of the solution: use your talent to elevate the voices and findings that are moving communities past despair and toward organized, effective collective action.

Pay

This is an unpaid volunteer role. The organization asks for at least 2‑5 hours per week to support ongoing media outreach, pitching cycles, and press release drafting. As funding allows, paid positions or project‑based contracts may be offered in the future.