Communications Manager

At NCYL, communications is a strategic function. It helps shape public understanding, elevate urgent threats and solutions, and ensure that the rights of children and youth remain part of the national conversation.

Position
NCYL seeks a strategic and nimble Communications Manager to drive earned media and external visibility for the organization and its senior leaders.

This person will monitor daily developments across our issue areas, identify the moments that require a public response, and turn those moments into meaningful media and thought leadership opportunities. They will build relationships with reporters, editors, producers, podcast hosts, and other influential partners, while working closely with NCYL's writers to shape an editorial calendar that strengthens the organization's public voice.

This is a high-judgment role for someone who understands how to connect policy, litigation, and advocacy to the news cycle and how to elevate leaders and experts in ways that are timely, disciplined, and impactful.

The position reports to NCYL's Managing Director, Public Affairs & Advancement.

Essential Functions

• Manage NCYL's earned media strategy, monitoring daily news and developments relevant to NCYL's work, identify emerging opportunities and risks, and recommend when and how NCYL should engage publicly, including securing interviews, podcast appearances, and other thought leadership opportunities for NCYL's leaders
• Help implement the strategic communications plan for the Communications team and organization, including setting priorities and goals, measurable objectives, strategies, and tactics.
• Manage strong cross-functional partnerships with organizational leadership, program leads, and the development team to identify communications goals, define target audiences, and execute timely, strategic opportunities that advance shared priorities.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with reporters, editors, producers, podcast hosts, newsletter writers, and other external partners, with a focus on high-impact and national outlets.
• Draft and edit press releases, statements, talking points, media materials, and other public-facing content.
• Partner with NCYL's writer to develop and maintain an editorial calendar for blogs, op-eds, statements, and related thought leadership content.
• Ensure earned media, thought leadership, and digital distribution are aligned and mutually reinforcing and lead digital rollout for major moments, including reports, campaigns, events, rapid-response efforts, and fundraising communications.
• Lead the Communications team, which includes supervising team members, developing their workplans, delegating work, and identifying goals.

Required Qualifications

• A minimum of five (5) years of experience in media relations, strategic communications, journalism, public affairs, advocacy communications, or related fields.

Other Qualifications

• A deep record of securing media coverage, interviews, podcasts, op-eds, and other thought leadership opportunities.
• Experience elevating the public profile of senior leaders, experts, or spokespersons.
• Sharp news judgment, strong editorial instincts, and a clear understanding of how to move quickly without losing discipline.
• Excellent writing and editing skills, including experience drafting for media, executives, and public audiences.
• Experience managing editorial calendars and translating complex issues into compelling public language.
• Experience supervising the work of a small team.

Location note: NCYL is registered to do business in California, Colorado, Illinois, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Texas, Virginia, Washington DC, and Wisconsin (with Minnesota and Washington state registration pending). The candidate must reside in one of these locations.

How to Apply: Please submit a cover letter, resume, and portfolio at the link below by September 16, 2026.