ACPR State Manager

OVERVIEW

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Across our organization, we’re building a workplace where collaboration is essential, diverse voices are heard, and inclusion is the key to our success. We are committed to doing the right thing in our journalism and in every role at NPR.

This means that integrity, adherence to our ethical standards, and compliance with legal obligations are fundamental responsibilities for every employee at NPR.

Application Deadline and Instructions:

Please submit your resume and cover letter by 5:00 pm EST October 9th, 2026

Please answer the following prompt in your cover letter:

Tell us about something that you have worked on or helped to create from generating the original idea to the execution. Please include what you learned from that experience.

Under NPR’s Employee Code of Conduct, this employee will be considered an “Outward-Facing Employee”, and as such should (i) avoid public participation in political and partisan activities in order to protect NPR’s reputation and its ability to pursue its mission; and (ii) refrain from public statements or actions that might call into question NPR’s commitment to accuracy and fairness.

Responsibilities

• Act as the primary project manager for targeted state grassroots campaigns supporting public radio stations; coordinates with the ACPR Advocacy Director to serve as the primary point of contact and liaison for specified states/territories to align state advocacy capacity.
• Work in coordination with the ACPR Sr. Manager for Communications & Engagement to support grassroots mobilizations and messaging through digital content, partner updates and other forms of communication.
• Closely coordinate with public radio stations to create tailored state advocacy plans, draft model legislation, and prepare supporting materials like one-pagers and formal testimonies or organize advocacy days.
• Monitor state legislative and regulatory activity, including budget debates, hearings, and regulatory meetings, related to public radio across assigned regions and specific subject areas.
• Translate complex state policy impacts and fiscal budgets into clear, plain-language summaries, policy briefs, and talking points for clients or coalition partners.
• Plan, prepare, and staff tours or advocacy visits with state legislative and administrative offices, including identifying key targets and compiling briefing packets.
• Build and maintain relationships with state-level associations, grasstops stakeholders, and other national-level stakeholders that engage on state policy relevant to public radio.
• The above duties and responsibilities are not an exhaustive list of required responsibilities, duties and skills. Other duties may be assigned, and this job description can be modified at any time.

Minimum Qualifications

• 5-7 years of experience in nonpartisan advocacy, state and local government, campaigns or some combination thereof
• Experience in a government affairs or advocacy role, preferably at a membership organization or trade association working across multiple states and/or stakeholder groups
• Experience producing communications and/or campaign deliverables
• Demonstrable experience educating bipartisan lawmakers
• Awareness of the local media landscape
• Proficient in the use of MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Google suite products

Preferred Qualifications

• Existing professional network in the field of state and local advocacy, research and/or policy development
• Existing expertise in media, journalism and/or local cultural institutions
• Experience working on nonpartisan state and local campaign initiatives
• Required Skills/Competencies
• Ability to write clearly for a variety of audiences including public radio leaders, public officials, stakeholders and the general public
• Excellent administrative skills and project management
• Willingness to work collaboratively with an evolving team
• Enthusiasm for the mission of public radio
• Education Requirements
• Bachelor’s degree in Political Science, Public Policy, Communications or a related field, or equivalent work experience
• Work Location & Requirements
• Hybrid Permitted: This is a hybrid permitted role. Some aspects of this role require duties better performed at an NPR facility. The employee will be required to be in the office at the Washington, D.C. location at least 3 days a year. The employee must also reside in an NPR-supported location based on the number of on-site days they choose.
• Job Type
• This is a full-time, exempt position.