Senior Manager, Media Relations

ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW

Public Rights Project (PRP) is a national nonprofit organization that helps local government officials fight for civil rights. We build their capacity to protect and advance civil rights, convene and connect them on key issues, and provide legal representation to help them win in court for residents. Since its founding in 2017, PRP has recovered significant financial relief for marginalized people; built a nationwide network of government offices, elected officials, and community-based organizations; trained prosecutors and government lawyers across the country; and secured court victories on rights for abortion, immigrants, workers, and voting. Learn more about our work.

JOB SUMMARY

Public Rights Project (PRP) is seeking a Senior Manager, Media Relations to lead and drive our earned media strategy for the organization and our growing network of local government partners. In this role, you will elevate the voices of local leaders and communities on the frontlines of justice, translating complex legal and policy work into clear, compelling narratives and high-impact written materials that shape public discourse and reach national and regional audiences.

Reporting to the Director of Communications, you will directly supervise the Media Relations Coordinator while working closely with PRP's broader Communications & Marketing team. You will cultivate high-value journalist relationships, lead proactive media campaigns, and produce and oversee publication-ready content — from press releases to op-eds — that positions PRP and our partners as leading voices in civil rights, democracy, and local governance.

This role requires both strategic leadership and strong execution, with a high degree of editorial judgment, attention to detail, and the ability to deliver high-quality work under tight deadlines. It is an opportunity to operate at the intersection of law, policy, and social justice, with visibility into high-impact litigation and direct engagement with senior leaders.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Earned Media & Press Relations

• Lead PRP's proactive earned media strategy, identifying and driving opportunities to place stories with national, regional, and issue-specific media outlets.
• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with journalists, editors, and producers across a range of beats including civil rights, immigration, democracy, criminal justice, and local government.
• Support PRP's network of local government partners — including mayors and other elected officials — in developing and executing their own public relations strategies, helping amplify their voices on civil rights and justice issues in their communities.
• Serve as a primary media contact for PRP, managing inbound press inquiries and coordinating rapid response to breaking news.
• Lead the drafting and editorial review of press releases, media advisories, op-eds, statements, and other external materials, ensuring clarity, accuracy, and strategic alignment.
• Manage and coordinate embargoed releases, ensuring timely and accurate distribution to media partners.
• Lead media event production, including press conferences, media briefings, and media trainings for PRP staff and government partners.
• Partner with PRP’s external media relations consultants to align on strategy, coordinate outreach efforts, and maximize media opportunities.

Thought Leadership & Executive Communications

• Support thought leadership strategies for PRP's executive leadership, including identifying non-media speaking opportunities (e.g., conferences, panels), op-ed placements, and LinkedIn and social media visibility, including supporting executive social media content beyond media coverage.
• Prepare PRP staff and local government leaders for high-profile media appearances, including developing briefing materials, talking points, and interview coaching.
• Work closely with the Director of Communications and the Chief Communications and Marketing Officer to identify moments where PRP has a distinct, additive voice, and develop compelling ways to enter those conversations.
• Advise on organizational public statements, including developing criteria, process, and messaging for when and how PRP speaks publicly on key issues.

Strategy & Analytics

• Lead media monitoring and analysis using Meltwater and similar platforms, generating insights that inform and shape strategy — including updating the annual media strategy and individual media plans based on coverage trends and performance data — and demonstrate PRP's impact.
• Track news cycles and issue area developments, and evolving trends in the journalism field and the broader civil rights and democracy spaces, identifying opportunities for proactive media engagement and recommending strategic responses.
• Develop and maintain media lists across issue areas, markets, and audiences.
• Produce regular media coverage reports and present findings to leadership.

People Management

• Directly supervise the Media Relations Coordinator, providing day-to-day guidance, ongoing feedback, and professional development support.
• Set clear goals and priorities for the Coordinator, delegating effectively and creating opportunities for growth.
• Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performing team culture consistent with PRP's values.
• Partner with the Director of Communications on team planning, capacity, and performance management.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

• Seven (7) to ten (10) years of relevant professional experience in communications, media relations, or public affairs, ideally within a legal, civil rights, advocacy, or policy environment.
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of training, education, and experience.
• Demonstrated track record of securing earned media placements in national and regional outlets.
• Deep experience developing senior leadership communications and thought leadership content.
• Experience preparing organizational spokespersons for media appearances and high-profile press engagements.
• At least three (3) years of experience directly supervising or managing staff, with a demonstrated ability to develop and support team members.
• Proficiency with Meltwater or comparable media monitoring and analytics platforms is required.
• Familiarity with the legal and civil rights landscape, and comfort translating complex litigation and policy issues for broad audiences.
• Passion and commitment to using the power of government to protect marginalized communities' civil rights and freedoms.
• Commitment to the mission and core values of Public Rights Project, especially diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Exceptional writer and editor — produces clear, compelling, and publication-ready materials with strong attention to tone, structure, and audience, even under tight deadlines.
• Strategic storyteller — ability to translate complex legal and technical issues into accessible, human-centered narratives that highlight real-world impact.
• Strong media instincts —understands news value, timing, and how to position stories for impact.
• Detail-oriented and accurate — maintains high standards for precision and fact-checking, particularly in fast-moving environments.
• Relationship builder — — cultivates trust with journalists and media partners across a range of beats and outlets.
• Experienced people manager — provides clear direction, constructive feedback, and mentorship to support team growth.
• Executive communications partner— comfortable advising senior leaders on communications strategy and representing PRP externally.
• Curious and accurate — deeply curious about PRP's subject matter (law, civil rights, policy), and committed to accuracy even when working fast; takes measures to verify facts, understand context, and get the details right.
• Highly responsive and adaptable — able to manage multiple priorities and shift quickly with the news cycle.
• Collaborative and proactive — a self-starter who thrives in a fast-paced, remote team environment and brings solutions and anticipates needs
• Strong proficiency in Meltwater, Asana, Salesforce, G-Suite, Microsoft Office, Slack, and Zoom.
• Mission-driven — passionate about civil rights and justice, with a strong commitment to PRP's values of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.

OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Other duties as assigned.

ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIP

Reports to the Director of Communications. Directly supervises the Media Relations Coordinator.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Requires sitting, talking and listening for up to 8 hours per day. Certain situations may require lifting items up to 20 pounds.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Fully remote organization and team. This role may require travel a few times a year to PRP events or meetings. We currently have remote staff in Oakland, Los Angeles, Boston, Chicago, Philadelphia, Portland (Oregon), and Washington, D.C., as well as other cities.

APPLICATIONS

Please submit a resume and cover letter outlining your interest in this role and how your experience aligns with the qualifications. Apply directly via the PRP website.

COMPENSATION

The determined salary range for this role is set between $105,600 - $158,400.Exact salary will be based on candidate experience. For internal equity purposes, PRP will not negotiate with candidates outside of the role’s designated range.

PRP HIRING COMMITMENT

PRP is committed to the principles and practices of equal employment opportunity. A diverse and inclusive workplace, both at PRP and within the government offices we serve, is a key ingredient for achieving our mission of building equitable enforcement capacity within state and local government.

We aim to assemble a team that reflects the world we live in and the communities we serve with respect to race, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability and immigration status. People with personal or family experience with the type of harms we seek to combat, including wage theft, predatory lending, fraud, discrimination, and environmental degradation are particularly encouraged to apply.