Position Overview

The Manager of Media Relations is a hands-on, execution-focused role responsible for driving Robin Hood's earned media strategy and day-to-day press engagement, with a particular focus on translating Robin Hood's policy and advocacy priorities and donor-facing impact for media audiences. This position spends the majority of its time proactively pitching stories, briefing reporters, and preparing Robin Hood's executives and program staff for media opportunities, with a smaller but critical role as a strategic thought partner to the Chief Communications Officer on messaging and as the owner of Robin Hood's earned media reporting and monitoring.

This is an ideal role for a communications professional who thrives on the fast pace of press relations, has strong relationships with (or a track record of building relationships with) New York-based and national reporters covering poverty, economic mobility, policy related to safety net programs, and philanthropy, and is comfortable translating complex policy, research, and donor impact into clear, compelling media narratives.

The Senior Manager, Media Relations will report to the Chief Communications Officer.

Key Responsibilities

Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Media Relations & Press Execution (~80%)
• Proactively pitch story ideas, research, and grantee/program impact narratives to reporters across print, broadcast, digital, and trade press.
• Serve as a day-to-day point of contact for incoming media inquiries, triaging and routing requests appropriately.
• Draft and manage press releases, media alerts, statements, pitch materials, and other press-facing collateral.
• Build and maintain relationships with reporters, editors, and producers covering poverty, economic mobility, philanthropy, and New York City policy - including housing, homelessness, education, workforce development, food insecurity, and the City budget.
• Prepare briefing materials and talking points for executive and program staff ahead of interviews, and coach spokespeople on message delivery.
• Coordinate logistics for interviews, press events, and media briefings.
• Track media opportunities tied to Robin Hood's research, grantmaking, and programmatic priorities, and recommend timely angles for outreach.
• Support rapid response and crisis communications efforts, including drafting holding statements, coordinating fast-turnaround media responses, and helping prepare spokespeople for sensitive or high-stakes media moments.

Policy-Focused Communications
• Draft statements, Q&As, media briefing documents, and one-pagers related to City and State policy issues that intersect with Robin Hood's grantmaking and advocacy priorities.
• Translate complex policy, research, and regulatory developments into clear, accessible, media-ready messaging.
• Coordinate closely with Robin Hood's Grants & Public Policy team and other internal stakeholders to ensure messaging is accurate, aligned, and reflects the latest policy developments.
• Monitor policy and legislative developments relevant to Robin Hood's mission and flag timely media opportunities or risks.

Donor-Focused Communications
• Draft statements, Q&As, media briefing documents, and one-pagers that translate Robin Hood's fundraising initiatives, major gifts, and donor impact for media and public audiences, especially major donors.
• Translate complex fundraising and impact data into clear, compelling, media-ready messaging for donor-facing moments (e.g., campaign announcements, major gift stories, event coverage).
• Coordinate closely with Robin Hood's Development, Marketing, and Events team to ensure media materials are accurate, aligned, and appropriately reflect donor sensitivities and attribution requirements.
• Monitor media coverage of Robin Hood's fundraising activities and major donors, and flag timely opportunities or risks.

Strategic Support & Reporting (~20%)
• Serve as a thought partner to the Chief Communications Officer on message development, narrative themes, and positioning.
• Monitor earned media coverage of Robin Hood, its grantee partners, and the broader poverty-fighting/philanthropy landscape.
• Develop and maintain routine earned media coverage reports for the executive team and staff, tracking volume, tone, topic distribution, and key placements.
• Flag emerging media trends, competitive coverage, or reputational risks for the Chief Communications Officer.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated interest in and passion for economic mobility and poverty-fighting work in New York City is imperative.
• Bachelor's degree required; degree in Journalism or English, Communications, Public Relations, or related field preferred.
• 7-10 years of experience in media relations, journalism, or communications, ideally including experience at an agency, newsroom, nonprofit, philanthropy, or government/policy environment.
• Established relationships with, or demonstrated ability to build relationships with, NYC and national media covering poverty, philanthropy, and policy areas including housing, homelessness, education, workforce development, food insecurity, and the City budget.
• Experience translating policy, legislative, or regulatory issues into clear, media-ready messaging is strongly desirable.
• Experience translating fundraising, donor, and philanthropic impact into media-ready messaging is strongly desirable.
• Some experience or exposure to best practice rapid response and crisis communications protocols.
• Excellent writing and copyediting skills, with the ability to translate complex research and programmatic detail into clear, compelling media materials.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple concurrent media opportunities.
• Demonstrated ability to brief and coach senior executives and program staff for media appearances.

Salary and Benefits

Robin Hood offers a competitive compensation package, with a salary range determined by years of experience, skills, and abilities. Each candidate's placement within the range will be based on these factors while ensuring alignment with our commitment to equitable internal pay practices, in accordance with the NYC Pay Transparency Law.

The salary range for this role is $123,000 - $155,000.

Our extensive benefits include:

• Medical insurance
• Employer-paid covered dental and vision insurance
• Employer-paid life and long-term disability insurance, plus employer-paid Paid Family Leave premiums
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer match, and a 12% employer contribution to a 401(a) retirement plan
• Employer contributions to Health Spending Account (must be enrolled into the High-Deductible Health Plan)
• Pre-tax flexible spending account (FSA) for health care and dependent care expenses
• Paid time off, including 20 days of accrued PTO (prorated for new hires), plus a separate Sick and Safe Leave bank in accordance with NYC's Earned Safe and Sick Time Act
• Paid Parental Leave and NYS Paid Family Leave

Location

This position is based in New York City and follows a hybrid work environment. Employees are required to work on-site four (4) days per week until further notice. Please note that the hybrid schedule is subject to change based on organizational priorities and team needs; any adjustments will be communicated well in advance.

To Apply

Please visit our website to complete our online application.