Manager, Communications

NPR · Washington, District of Columbia, United States

  • Senior
  • Full-time
  • $93,067 – $95,859
  • Posted 2026-09-21
  • Confirmed live on 25 September 2026

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Job description

OVERVIEW

A thriving, mission-driven multimedia organization, NPR produces award-winning news, information, and music programming in partnership with hundreds of independent public radio stations across the nation. The NPR audience values information, creativity, curiosity, and social responsibility – and our employees do too. We are innovators and leaders in diverse fields, from journalism and digital media to IT and development. Every day, our employees and member stations touch the lives of millions worldwide.

Across our organization, we’re building a workplace where collaboration is essential, diverse voices are heard, and inclusion is the key to our success. We are committed to doing the right thing in our journalism and in every role at NPR. This means that integrity, adherence to our ethical standards, and compliance with legal obligations are fundamental responsibilities for every employee at NPR.

Application Deadline: Please submit your application by 5:00 pm EST on Friday, October 2nd, 2026.

Intro to Position

This is a union-represented role covered under the terms of a collective bargaining agreement with DMU.

The Manager, Communications supports NPR's institutional communications, helping manage day-to-day media inquiries, departmental logistics, coverage tracking, and social media execution.

Reporting to the Senior Manager, Corporate Communications, this role serves as an operational engine for the Communications team, ensuring efficient handling of incoming press requests, smooth execution of speaking appearances, and dynamic public engagement across social channels.

The Manager plays a central role in managing the main media relations queue, facilitating approvals, producing media coverage reports, and contributing to NPR Extra social channels to highlight organizational milestones, champion journalists and talent, and share behind-the-scenes content that reinforces NPR's value to the public.

The ideal candidate is a proactive, highly organized, and media-savvy communicator with strong attention to detail, sound judgment, and the ability to balance multiple fast-moving priorities.

Responsibilities

Media relations and speaker queue management

• Manage the central media relations and speaker queues for all incoming press and event requests involving NPR talent, journalists, and executives.

• Oversee the vetting process for incoming media inquiries and speaking invitations, ensuring proper routing, internal reviews, and executive approvals.

• Escalate sensitive, complex, or high-risk requests to the Senior Manager and Vice President, Communications.

• Serve as a responsive, professional primary contact point for journalists, event organizers, and external organizations.

Departmental coordination and logistical support

• Manage end-to-end logistics for executive and talent speaking appearances, panel invitations, and press interviews.

• Coordinate scheduling, gather briefing materials, and prepare logistical details for leadership and talent appearances.

• Draft backgrounders, event prep notes, briefing documents, and administrative materials to support engagements.

Social media and digital PR

• Drive content development for NPR Extra social channels to highlight organizational milestones, champion journalists and talent, and share behind-the-scenes content that reinforces NPR's value to the public.

• Translate corporate milestones, institutional announcements, and PR wins into compelling social content tailored for industry and public audiences.

• Coordinate with internal design, brand, and social teams to align visuals and messaging across channels.

Media monitoring and analytics

• Track, compile, and distribute regular media coverage reports to internal stakeholders and executive leadership.

• Monitor industry trends, news developments, and mentions of NPR across digital and print publications.

• Oversee PR analytics, tracking campaign performance, media reach, and social engagement metrics to evaluate communications impact.

The above duties and responsibilities are not an exhaustive list of required responsibilities, duties and skills. Other duties may be assigned, and this job description can be modified at any time.

Minimum Qualifications

• 3–5 years of experience in public relations.

• Excellent writing, editing, and proofreading skills.

• Strong project management and organizational abilities.

• Experience coordinating projects involving multiple stakeholders.

• Ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines.

• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills.

• Ability to train more junior staff at basic skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience managing stakeholder communications.

• Familiarity with project management software and collaboration tools.

• Experience developing presentations and briefing materials.

Required Skills/Competencies

• Exceptional writing and editing skills.

• Strong organization and attentio

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