Senior Manager, Communications

FIXED-TERM JOB VACANCY
Senior Manager, Communications
Media Division
Multiple Locations Considered
Application Deadline: Friday, April 24^th, 2026

The Media Division of Human Rights Watch (“HRW”) is seeking highly qualified candidates for the position of Senior Manager, Communications to pitch research and news products to journalists and support the Media Division in the Communications department. The Media Division works to determine the best messages, the right audiences, and the best vehicle to raise public awareness of the human rights violations HRW investigates and documents. The successful candidate for this position will have substantive knowledge of human rights and the US media landscape.

The Senior Manager, Communications will report to the Communications Director, will be based in our New York or Washington DC office, and will be expected to work from the office as needed. This is a fixed-term, twelve-month position.

Responsibilities:

1. Developing clear and persuasive messaging and talking points on US Program priority issues, including racial justice and equity, democracy and authoritarianism, criminal legal system, and immigration, especially as it relates to the current administration;
2. Pitching Human Rights Watch experts and products to national and local news platforms - television, radio, digital and print – in both legacy and new media outlets and formats, discussing both domestic and foreign policy priorities. This includes pitching producers and editors, developing relationships, and being an internal champion for this work. Because of HRW’s existing strengths in mainstream national print, the focus for this role will be on broadcast, digital, and social media, including in local markets;
3. Executing a regional media strategy to support our advocacy at federal, state, and local levels. This includes identifying key markets, and mapping targets, such as regional newspapers, radio, and network television affiliates;
4. Developing and maintaining our database of US media contacts, and tracking sentiment and trends on human rights issues in the US media;
5. Developing strategies to ensure that stories with human rights perspective on US domestic and foreign policy are heard in formats in addition to traditional “hard” news, including morning shows, daytime, and talk, as well as podcasts and social media outlets;
6. Identifying possible media partners who might use our content;
7. Drafting and editing op-eds, press releases, quotes and tweets for US Program staff;
8. Representing Human Rights Watch in civil society coalitions that work on our issues, as needed;
9. Provide media analytics on the performance of research products; and
10. Perform other tasks as may be required.

Qualifications:

We are looking for someone with a strong background in journalism or communications, preferably both. The best candidates will understand how to translate complex issues into punchy, accessible pitches, and prioritize reaching audiences that the marquee press does not.

The best candidate believes that the best journalism is motivated by a demand for justice, and that excellent human rights research is its natural ally, while developing and participating in creative new ways to get the message out.  The best candidate sees opportunities in unlikely places, and cares as much about convincing a columnist in a state capital, a talk radio host, and an editor at the New York Times.

The best candidate will be comfortable with both carefully planned long-term projects, and real-time responses to developing news, in an environment which demands both rigor and relevance.

Candidates who are traditionally underrepresented in the human rights sector are enthusiastically encouraged to apply if they feel they have the ability to succeed in this role, even if they do not have all of the exact skills and qualifications listed. Especially given the US Program’s substantive work focus and theory of change, Black, Indigenous and other people of color, as well as people impacted by the criminal legal and/or immigration systems are encouraged to apply.

Education: A Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent working experience in journalism, communications, international relations, or other relevant subject is required. An advanced degree is desirable.

Experience: A minimum of six years of journalism or communications experience and a deep knowledge/understanding of the US national and regional media landscape are required.

Related Skills and Knowledge

1. Exceptional oral and written communication skills in English are required
2. Proven track record pitching human rights/civil liberties content to media outlets is required
3. Ability to express ideas clearly and logically is required
4. Self-motivation and ability to work in a fast-paced environment both independently and as a member of a team is required.
5. Flexibility in responding quickly to events as they occur and producing excellent written material under tight deadlines is required.
6. Ability to multi-task effectively, including having good planning and organizing skills and ability to work under pressure are required.
7. Strong interpersonal skills in order to work collaboratively within HRW as well as with external partners are required.
8. Experience with a wire service, newspaper, or online journalism site or other news organization is strongly desirable.
9. A broad range of knowledge about human rights and international affairs is strongly desirable.

Other: Applicants for this position must possess valid US work authorization. HRW is unable to provide immigration sponsorship from this role.  

Salary and Benefits: HRW seeks exceptional applicants and offers competitive compensation and employer-paid benefits including medical, dental, vision, disability and life insurance. The salary range for this position is US$ 88,000 – 96,000.

How to Apply: Please submit a cover letter, resume, and writing sample of up to 800 words to apply by 11:59 PM ET on April 24^th, 2026 by visiting our online job portal at http://careers.hrw.org. Candidates who use generative AI tools to support their application will be automatically disqualified. Only complete applications will be reviewed, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

If you are experiencing technical difficulties with your application submission, please email [email protected]. Due to the large response, application submissions via email will not be accepted and inquiries regarding the status of applications will go unanswered.

Human Rights Watch is strong because it is diverse. We actively seek a diverse applicant pool and encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply. Human Rights Watch does not discriminate on the basis of disability, age, gender identity and expression, national origin, race and ethnicity, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, or criminal record. We welcome all kinds of diversity. Our employees include people who are parents and nonparents, the self-taught and university educated, and from a wide span of socio- economic backgrounds and perspectives on the world. Human Rights Watch is an equal opportunity employer.

Human Rights Watch is an international human rights monitoring and advocacy organization known for its in-depth investigations, its incisive and timely reporting, its innovative and high-profile advocacy campaigns, and its success in changing the human rights-related policies and practices of governments and international institutions.