ACPR Federal Manager

OVERVIEW

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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 a policy or program that you played a role in changing, developing or creating from 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

• Build and maintain a sophisticated political network across Capitol Hill and federal agencies, serving as a registered lobbyist; manage LDA compliance activities pertaining to ACPR.
• Proactively manage a dynamic advocacy strategy for ACPR federal initiatives in support of public radio stations. 
• Track, analyze, and brief internal leadership on legislative, regulatory, and policy developments impacting ACPR’s federal strategy.
• Design and execute proactive engagement plans, including policy briefings, staff delegations, and advocacy days that support public radio station relationships with Capitol Hill.
• Regularly meet with Hill staff, including all Committees relevant to public radio, to educate them, utilizing all available communications means to keep them informed on relevant public radio updates.
• Conduct in-depth research on Members of Congress and executive branch officials to develop effective political and advocacy strategies.
• Research and track upcoming congressional hearings, monitor administrative policy announcements, and distribute notes to internal teams and coalition partners.
• Partner with the ACPR Sr. Manager for Communications & Engagement to develop and transmit ACPR advocacy materials, including hill blasts, factsheets, testimony, and blog posts.

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 experience in a government affairs or advocacy role
• Time spent working in Congress with an emphasis on the House of Representatives, or working on agriculture or Farm Bill issues
• Existing professional networks on the Hill, with an emphasis on the House of Representatives
• Experience navigating the federal appropriations process 
• Experience with nonpartisan advocacy initiatives 
• Proficient in the use of MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Google suite products

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrable experience creating new programs, championing appropriations on behalf of a member organization and/or trade association, and/or establishing or adapting appropriations
• Awareness of local media ecosystems, emergency communications networks, rural development, and/or local cultural institutions

Required Skills/Competencies

• Ability to communicate clearly to a variety of audiences including public radio leaders, public officials, stakeholders and the general public
• Experience working with bipartisan lawmakers and a commitment to working in a nonpartisan environment
• 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 week- Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday. 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.

Compensation

Salary Range: The U.S.-based anticipated salary range for this opportunity is $132,000 - $139,000 plus benefits. The range displayed reflects the minimum and maximum salaries NPR expects to provide for new hires for the position across all US locations.

NPR Benefits: NPR provides comprehensive benefits for employees and dependents. Regular, full-time employees scheduled to work 30 hours or more per week are eligible to enroll in NPR’s benefits options. Benefits include access to health and wellness, paid time off, and financial well-being. Plan options include medical, dental, vision, life/ accidental death and dismemberment, long-term disability, short-term disability, and voluntary retirement savings to all eligible NPR employees. 

Does this sound like you? If so, we want to hear from you.

#LI-HYBRID

NPR is an Equal Opportunity Employer. NPR is committed to being an inclusive workplace that welcomes diverse and unique perspectives, all working toward the same goal – to create a more informed public. Qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, national origin, ancestry, age, religion, religious belief, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions, lactation, and reproductive health decisions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, transgender status, gender non-conforming status, intersex status, sexual stereotypes, nationality, citizenship status, personal appearance, marital status, family status, family responsibilities, military status, veteran status, mental and physical disability, medical condition, genetic information, genetic characteristics of yourself or a family member, political views and affiliation, unemployment status, protective order status, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking, or any other basis prohibited under applicable law.

If you are a person with a disability needing assistance with the application process, please reach out to employeerelations@npr.org.

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