Senior Manager, Editorial Communications & Influence

Intro to Position

NPR is evolving its communications function for the most consequential period in public media's history. In an era of shifting revenue models and technological change, media organizations have a unique opportunity to thrive by focusing on breakthrough journalism that truly resonates with modern audiences. 

NPR's journalism reaches audiences outside of our owned platforms through a wider, more fragmented set of channels than ever before — traditional press, creator and podcast networks, distribution platforms, industry conversations, events, and AI-driven discovery. The Senior Manager, Editorial Communications & Influence, plays a key role in how NPR's work breaks through across all of them.

This is an NPR editorial role covered under the terms of the NPR Ethics Handbook. All editorial staff are bound by this guidance. Editorial staff are staff members who play a role in shaping the journalistic or creative direction of NPR's content, including events.

Application Instructions

In addition to a resume, please submit a resume, a short cover letter, and 3–5 examples of editorial influence work you've led — placements, creator partnerships, cross-promotion deals, event moments, or narrative-defense work.

Responsibilities

• Amplification Strategy: Lead the strategy for amplifying NPR's journalism and talent, driving influence and recognition for the work and the people who make it.
• Media Relations: Promote major investigations, exclusive interviews, and podcast launches through deep relationships with bookers, media-desk reporters, and consumer press.
• Creator Economy Engagement: Build influence by engaging podcasters, newsletter writers, and Substack creators to drive audience growth through cross-promotion and organic mentions.
• Talent Positioning: Oversee Talent Relations to position NPR’s journalists as leading voices across external media and new platforms, ensuring alignment with editorial publicity.
• Emerging Channel Pilots: Identify and pilot new ways to extend reach when traditional press isn't the right tool, including AI visibility and emerging distribution platforms.
• Strategic Events: Partner with leadership to direct NPR's event presence as a channel for creator relationships, talent visibility, and cross-promotion deals.
• Newsroom Partnership: Build connections with newsroom leadership to support editorial moments that define the brand and provide narrative defense for coverage decisions.
• Team Leadership: Manage and mentor a team of publicists and talent professionals, setting a modern KPI framework that values influence over simple placement counts.

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

• 7+ years in communications, PR, media relations, or audience strategy.
• 3+ years of experience inside a news, media, or content organization.
• 3+ years of experience managing communications professionals.
• Proven track record of amplifying editorial work across multiple channels (press, creators, platforms, and events).
• Direct experience operating within a 24/7 news cycle.
• Willingness to work flexible hours, including weekends, as editorial events require.

Preferred Qualifications

• Existing relationships within the podcast and audio creator community.
• Experience promoting TV or video journalism 
• Direct experience handling editorially sensitive coverage and high-profile newsroom dynamics.
• Background in the audio industry, press or creator-economy media,

Required Skills/Competencies

• Strategic Influence Mapping: Ability to identify non-traditional nodes of influence (newsletters, creators) that drive the audience.
• Narrative Defense: Capability to partner with executives on high-stakes coverage decisions and brand reputation.
• Cross-Platform Literacy: Deep understanding of how journalism performs on AI discovery tools and distribution platforms.
• High-Stakes Relationship Management: Experience holding relationships with top-tier bookers and industry leaders.
• Modern KPI Development: Ability to move beyond "clip counting" to measure true editorial influence and impact.

Education Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Journalism, or a related field, or equivalent work experience.

Work Location & Requirements

• Hybrid Permitted: This is a hybrid permitted role. The employee will be required to be in the office at the Washington, D.C. or New York City location at least 3 days a week. The employee must also reside in the Washington, D.C., Maryland, Virginia, or New York City Metro Areas.

Job Type

• This is a full-time, exempt position.

Compensation

Salary Range: The U.S. based anticipated salary range for this opportunity is $135,000 – $165,000 plus benefits. The range displayed reflects the minimum and maximum salaries NPR expects to provide for new hires for the position across all US locations.

NPR Benefits: NPR offers access to comprehensive benefits for employees and dependents. Regular, full-time employees scheduled to work 30 hours or more per week are eligible to enroll in NPR’s benefits options. Benefits include access to health and wellness, paid time off, and financial well-being. Plan options include medical, dental, vision, life/ accidental death and dismemberment, long-term disability, short-term disability, and voluntary retirement savings to all eligible NPR employees. 

Does this sound like you? If so, we want to hear from you.

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