Senior Manager, Communications and Public Relations-Remote

**Autism Speaks is looking for a dynamic Senior Manager, Communications and Public Relations to join our remote team. While the role is remote, we prefer candidates located in New York, Washington, or Chicago. This is an exciting opportunity for a strong writer and media relations professional to help elevate our voice, build meaningful media connections, and support mission\-driven storytelling.** The Senior Manager, Communications and Public Relations is a creative, highly motivated, and strategic communications professional that must be comfortable supporting rapid response communications efforts and building strong relationships with contacts at journals, publications, and outlets relevant to the mission of the organization. Supports the execution of strategic communications initiatives that advance Autism Speaks’ mission, strengthen organizational visibility, and support media engagement across national, regional, and trade outlets. Reporting to the Vice President Communications \& Public Relations, this role supports proactive media relations efforts, executive communications, organizational messaging, and high\-profile campaigns, partnerships, and events. The Senior Manager will actively pitch, secure, and coordinate media opportunities while collaborating across teams to help elevate Autism Speaks’ visibility and storytelling efforts. The ideal candidate is a strong writer and media relations professional with sound judgment, strong organizational skills, and the ability to operate effectively in a fast\-moving, collaborative environment. **Primary Responsibilities** **Media Relations \& Public Relations*** Support proactive media strategies tied to organizational priorities, campaigns, partnerships, advocacy initiatives, and major announcements. * Actively pitch, secure, coordinate, and staff national, regional, local, and trade media opportunities. * Build and maintain relationships with reporters, producers, editors, and freelance writers. * Draft and edit communications materials including press releases, media advisories, talking points, briefing materials, statements, FAQs, and messaging documents. * Support media interview preparation for executives, spokespeople, self\-advocates, families, researchers, partners, and ambassadors. * Monitor news cycles, identify timely opportunities for media engagement, and support rapid\-response communications and sensitive media inquiries as needed. * Collaborate with internal teams to identify stories, spokespeople, and community perspectives that support communications priorities and help identify gaps in available stories, voices, or subject matter relevant to proactive communications efforts. * Help maintain consistency across external communications materials and public\-facing messaging. * Help manage media lists, coverage tracking, reporting, and communications resources. **Cross\-Functional Collaboration*** Collaborate across departments to support integrated commu