Sr. Manager, Communications & Public Relations - Remote

About the role

This is a remote role for a Senior Manager, Communications and Public Relations to help elevate Autism Speaks’ voice, build meaningful media connections, and support mission-driven storytelling. The position supports rapid response communications, executive communications, organizational messaging, and high-profile campaigns, partnerships, and events. Reporting to the Vice President of Communications & Public Relations, the role involves proactive media relations, pitching, securing coverage, and collaborating across teams to increase visibility and storytelling impact.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute proactive media strategies aligned with organizational priorities, campaigns, partnerships, advocacy initiatives, and major announcements.
• Pitch, secure, coordinate, and staff media opportunities across national, regional, local, and trade outlets.
• Build and maintain relationships with reporters, producers, editors, and freelance writers.
• Draft and edit communications materials including press releases, media advisories, talking points, briefing materials, statements, FAQs, and messaging documents.
• Prepare executives, spokespeople, self-advocates, families, researchers, partners, and ambassadors for media interviews.
• Monitor news cycles, identify timely media engagement opportunities, and support rapid-response communications and sensitive inquiries.
• Collaborate with internal teams to identify stories, spokespeople, and community perspectives that advance communications priorities.
• Maintain consistency across external communications and public-facing messaging.
• Manage media lists, coverage tracking, reporting, and communications resources.
• Collaborate across departments to align public-facing messaging and support integrated communications efforts.
• Coordinate with external PR agencies, consultants, partners, vendors, and stakeholders as needed.
• Support internal communications processes, including approvals and workflows.
• Serve as a communications resource for regional teams to support local visibility and messaging alignment.
• Assist with communications for corporate partnerships, fundraising campaigns, organizational initiatives, and community events.
• Support communications for high-profile supporters and select organizational events.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, Public Relations, Journalism, or a related field preferred.
• 6–8 years of experience in public relations, communications, media relations, journalism, or a related role.
• Track record of pitching and securing media coverage.
• Experience drafting and editing media materials such as press releases, media advisories, talking points, briefing materials, statements, FAQs, and messaging documents.
• Experience with media monitoring, distribution, or reporting platforms.
• Experience in nonprofit, advocacy, healthcare, disability, or mission-driven communications environments is preferred.
• Availability for occasional travel (a few times per year) and time-sensitive evening or weekend assignments.
• Commitment to respectful, community-centered communications and Autism Speaks’ mission.
• Strong writing, editing, proofreading, and storytelling skills with the ability to translate complex topics into clear, compelling messaging.
• Strong news judgment and media instincts to identify timely story opportunities.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, and communications needs in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
• Sound judgment, professionalism, and commitment to respectful, community-centered communications.
• Experience using new tools and technologies, including AI, to improve workflow, efficiency, and productivity while maintaining accuracy and confidentiality.

Core Competencies

• Building Collaborative Relationships
• Professional Behavior
• Results Driven
• Customer Orientation
• Flexibility

About Autism Speaks

Autism Speaks promotes solutions across the spectrum and throughout the life span for the needs of people with autism and their families. The organization advances understanding and acceptance, supports advocacy, and funds research into causes and better interventions. Autism Speaks strives to achieve a world where all people with autism can reach their full potential, and employees are inspired by the mission’s collective impact. The workplace emphasizes collaboration, inclusion, and innovation, with benefits including flex work hours, weekly training sessions, tuition reimbursement, and summer bonus Fridays.

Pay

Salary range: $75,000 – $95,000