Senior Manager, Media Relations

ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW

Public Rights Project (PRP) is a national nonprofit organization that helps local government officials fight for civil rights. We build their capacity to protect and advance civil rights, convene and connect them on key issues, and provide legal representation to help them win in court for residents. Since its founding in 2017, PRP has recovered significant financial relief for marginalized people;

built a nationwide network of government offices, elected officials, and community-based organizations; trained prosecutors and government lawyers across the country; and secured court victories on rights for abortion, immigrants, workers, and voting.

Learn more about our work.

Public Rights Project (PRP) is seeking a Senior Manager, Media Relations to lead and drive our earned media strategy for the organization and our growing network of local government partners. In this role, you will elevate the voices of local leaders and communities on the front lines of justice, translating complex legal and policy work into clear, compelling narratives and high-impact written materials that shape public discourse and reach national and regional audiences.

Reporting to the Director of Communications, you will directly supervise the Media Relations Coordinator while working closely with PRP's broader Communications & Marketing team. You will cultivate high-value journalist relationships, lead proactive media campaigns, and produce and oversee publication-ready content — from press releases to op-eds — that positions PRP and our partners as leading voices in civil rights, democracy, and local governance.

This role requires both strategic leadership and strong execution, with a high degree of editorial judgment, attention to detail, and the ability to deliver high-quality work under tight deadlines. It is an opportunity to operate at the intersection of law, policy, and social justice, with visibility into high-impact litigation and direct engagement with senior leaders.

• Lead PRP's proactive earned media strategy, identifying and driving opportunities to place stories with national, regional, and issue-specific media outlets.
• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with journalists, editors, and producers across a range of beats including civil rights, immigration, democracy, criminal justice, and local government.
• Support PRP's network of local government partners — including mayors and other elected officials — in developing and executing their own public relations strategies, helping amplify their voices on civil rights and justice issues in their communities.
• Serve as a primary media contact for PRP, managing inbound press inquiries and coordinating rapid response to breaking news.
• Lead the drafting and editorial review of press releases, media advisories, op-eds, statements, and other external materials, ensuring clarity, accuracy, and strategic alignment.
• Manage and coordinate embargoed releases, ensuring timely and accurate distribution to media partners.
• Lead media event production, including press conferences, media briefings, and media trainings for PRP staff and government partners.
• Partner with PRP’s external media relations consultants to align on strategy, coordinate outreach efforts, and maximize media opportunities.

• Support thought leadership strategies for PRP's executive leadership, including identifying non-media speaking opportunities (e.g., conferences, panels), op-ed placements, and Linked In and social media visibility, including supporting executive social media content beyond media coverage.
• Prepare PRP staff and local government leaders for high-profile media appearances, including developing briefing materials, talking points, and interview coaching.
• Work closely with the Director of Communications and the Chief Communications and Marketing Officer to identify moments where PRP has a distinct, additive voice, and develop compelling ways to enter those conversations.
• Advise on organizational public statements, including developing criteria, process,…