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Senior Manager, Corporate Communications

NPR


Job Location:

Washington, AR - USA

Yearly Salary: USD 140000 - 155000
Posted: 1 October 2026 (Yesterday)
Application Deadline: 29 December 2026
Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

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 were 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

The Senior Manager Corporate Communications is a key driver of NPRs institutional communications helping the organization communicate clearly consistently and confidently with employees member stations donors partners policymakers and the public.

Reporting to the Vice President Communications this role develops communications strategies that strengthen NPRs reputation support organizational priorities and help audiences understand the mission impact and value of public media and NPRs wide array of content.

The Senior Manager drives corporate and executive communications execution partnering closely with colleagues across Communications Brand Legal People Development Policy and other departments to deliver high-impact communications around major organizational initiatives executive visibility media relations and institutional storytelling.

This role leads and develops Corporate Communications staff and works closely with colleagues across the Communications division to ensure message consistency and alignment with overall strategy.

The ideal candidate is an exceptional strategist writer and operator who brings sound judgment strong execution skills and the ability to communicate effectively during moments of both opportunity and change.

Responsibilities
Corporate communications strategy
  • Develop and execute communications strategies that support NPRs organizational priorities and strengthen the institutions reputation.
  • Develop and drive integrated communications strategies for key announcements strategic initiatives and major milestones.
  • Build and maintain a central communications calendar for major organizational initiatives announcements milestones and executive appearances.
  • Develop messaging that clearly communicates NPRs mission priorities and impact.
  • Ensure institutional communications are aligned across all audiences platforms and channels.
  • Identify opportunities to proactively tell NPRs story and strengthen public understanding of its work.
Executive communications
  • Drive day-to-day communications support for executive speaking and interviews.
  • Ensure end-to-end preparation for executive appearances including message development briefing documents and prep sessions.
  • Author high-impact executive speeches town hall remarks op-eds and executive social content (e.g. LinkedIn).
  • Coordinate with conference organizers and reporters to ensure opportunities are fully vetted and all relevant information is collected.
Media relations
  • Oversee corporate media relations ensuring timely and appropriate responses to incoming media requests.
  • Drive proactive media strategy for corporate priorities owning announcement planning exclusives and embargo sequencing.
  • Maintain and build relationships with key reporters and secure earned media around key milestones.
  • Serve as a press contact for sensitive and complex coverage; supporting rapid response in partnership with the VP Communications.
Stakeholder engagement
  • Build strong relationships with colleagues across NPR to develop thoughtful communications strategies.
  • Meet regularly with stakeholders to ensure visibility into corporate communications calendar and executive appearances.
  • Bring people together around shared messages and common objectives.
Team and operations
  • Support staff to effectively deliver on priorities.
  • Coach and develop communications staff.
  • Foster a collaborative inclusive and high-performing team culture.
  • Set priorities manage workloads and support professional growth.
  • Encourage thoughtful planning strong writing and continuous learning.

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 of experience in corporate communications executive communications public affairs or strategic communications.
  • Experience leading communications strategies for complex organizations.
  • Exceptional writing editing and messaging skills.
  • Demonstrated experience supporting senior executives.
  • Experience managing sensitive communications and organizational issues.
  • Strong leadership and people management experience.
  • Excellent judgment diplomacy and relationship-building skills.
Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience supporting executive leadership teams and Boards.
  • Familiarity with issues management and crisis communications.
  • Experience leading cross-functional communications initiatives.
Required Skills/Competencies
  • Exceptional strategic thinking and judgment.
  • Outstanding writing and editing skills.
  • Strong executive presence and communication skills.
  • Excellent relationship-building and collaboration abilities.
  • Calm decision-making under pressure.
  • Political awareness and organizational sensitivity.
  • Curiosity and openness to diverse perspectives.
  • Strong coaching and people leadership skills.
  • Ability to simplify complex issues into clear compelling communications.
Education Requirements
  • Equivalent hands-on experience in lieu of a bachelors degree.
Work Location & Requirements
  • NPR and SAG-AFTRA 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 be in commuting distance to Washington D.C. or New York City.
Job Type
  • This is a full-time exempt position.
Compensation

Salary Range: The U.S.-based anticipated salary range for this opportunity is $140000-$155000 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 provides comprehensive benefits for employees and dependents. Regular full-time employees scheduled to work 30 hours or more per week are eligible to enroll in NPRs 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.

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The range displayed reflects the minimum and maximum salaries NPR expects to provide for new hires for the position across all US locations.

NPR Pay Range

$140000 - $155000 USD

NPR is an Equal Opportunity Employer. NPR is committed to being an inclusive workplace that welcomes diverse and unique perspectives all working toward the same goal to create a more informed public. Qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race color ethnicity national origin ancestry age religion religious belief sex (including pregnancy childbirth and related medical conditions lactation and reproductive health decisions) sexual orientation gender gender identity or expression transgender status gender non-conforming status intersex status sexual stereotypes nationality citizenship status personal appearance marital status family status family responsibilities military status veteran status mental and physical disability medical condition genetic information genetic characteristics of yourself or a family member political views and affiliation unemployment status protective order status status as a victim of domestic violence sexual assault or stalking or any other basis prohibited under applicable law.

If you are a person with a disability needing assistancewith the application process please reach out to .

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Senior Manager


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