Senior Manager, Media Relations

About Robin Hood

We are NYC’s largest local poverty-fighting philanthropy, and since 1988, we have invested $3 billion to elevate and fuel New Yorkers’ permanent escapes from poverty. Aside from years when we've championed relief efforts, 2025 was our largest grantmaking year, distributing more than $140 million to 295 community partners. We create pathways out of poverty through our strategic partnerships on child care, child poverty, jobs, living wages, and much more. We are scaling impact at a population level for the 2.2 million New Yorkers living in poverty. At Robin Hood, we believe your starting point in life should not define where you end up. To learn more about our work and impact, read our Annual Report and follow us on X @RobinHoodNYC or go to robinhood.org. 

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

Our Approach

Focusing on results

We invest in best-in-class organizations operating effective programs. We fund research to understand how poverty persists and what strategies are effective in fighting it. And we track grant outcomes and apply cost/benefit analyses to ensure every dollar we invest demonstrably improves the lives of low-income New Yorkers. 

Building institutions that transform NYC

We offer management advice, strategic real estate consulting, board placement services, financial and communications coaching, leadership development, and other technical assistance to help our partners increase scale and impact.

Driving innovation to solve unmet needs

We invest in new leaders, new organizations, and new ideas that have groundbreaking potential.

Scaling what works

We partner with government and other funders to grow proven solutions in New York City and beyond so more people benefit from investments that work.

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:

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. 

Equal Employment Opportunity

Robin Hood is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, arrest or conviction record, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. Applicants from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

To Apply

Please visit our website to complete our online application.