Senior Managing Director, Media Relations and Crisis Communications (M4)

The Role

The Senior Managing Director, Media Relations and Crisis Communications serves as the principal architect of Save the Children’s media engagement and reputation management strategies. Reporting directly to the Head of Media and Communications, this role is pivotal in shaping and executing comprehensive media relations plans that enhance the organization's visibility and credibility across national and international platforms.

This leader is responsible for developing and maintaining robust relationships with top-tier media outlets, (traditional and new media) serving as a key spokesperson, and providing strategic counsel to executive leadership on high-profile communications. The role also oversees the organization's preparedness and response to crisis situations, ensuring consistent and effective messaging that aligns with Save the Children’s mission and values.

Collaborating closely with cross-functional teams across the organization, the Senior Managing Director ensures cohesive communication strategies that support organizational objectives and uphold the organization's reputation.

Location

Hybrid – Washington DC, Fairfield, CT or Lexington, KY office locations

What You’ll Be Doing (Essential Duties)

• not inclusive of all role responsibilities. May be subject to change
  
  

Media Relations Strategy & Execution (50%)

• Develop and implement national and international media strategies that position Save the Children as a trusted, visible voice across priority issues and sectors.
• Lead outreach to top-tier media outlets and cultivate strong relationships with senior journalists, editors, and producers.
• Lead teams to craft messaging and narratives that advance the organization’s communications and advocacy efforts.
• Serve as a senior spokesperson for the organization and advise and prepare senior executives and board-level leaders for high-stakes media engagements.
• Oversee the planning and execution of high-impact media campaigns tied to enterprise initiatives and external moments.
• Compose press releases, messaging documents, thought-leadership content, and other content types.
• Ensure consistency, alignment, and quality control across all earned media content, including press releases, statements, op-eds, and media kits.
• Partner with internal stakeholders—including Program, Fundraising, and Public Policy teams—to shape compelling narratives and identify timely media opportunities.
  
  

Crisis & Issues Communications (30%)

• Lead the organization’s response to sensitive or high-risk communications scenarios, including reputational issues and humanitarian crisis situations.
• Act as the central point of contact for media escalation and rapid response.
• Establish and maintain internal protocols for media triage, message approval, and executive alignment in urgent contexts.
• Collaborate with Legal, Risk, People & Culture, and senior leadership to craft unified, values-aligned responses to real-time developments.
• Ensure the organization is prepared for crisis response through scenario planning, message frameworks, and team coordination.
  
  

Leadership & Team Management (20%)

• Supervise and mentor a team of media professionals and/or contractors; provide ongoing coaching, direction, and performance feedback.
• Serve as a senior leader within the Communications department and act as deputy to the Head of Media and Communications as needed.
• Foster a high-performance culture built on responsiveness, accountability, and strategic discipline.
• Train, develop, coach, lead, and supervise staff, clearly communicating organization, division and department priorities, and how their work contributes to our mission, ensuring that the working environment continually fosters diversity, inclusion, and belonging – supporting Save the Children values.
  
  

Required Qualifications For The Role

• Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience, with at least 13 years of relevant experience in media relations, journalism, or strategic communications.
• Deep understanding of the national and international media landscape, with strong relationships across top-tier outlets.
• Demonstrated expertise in managing complex reputational issues and crisis communications at the executive level.
• Strong judgment, discretion, and ability to operate calmly in high-pressure environments.
• Excellent writing, editing, and message development skills across a range of formats and audiences.
• Experience managing teams, mentoring staff, and leading cross-functional collaboration.
• Proven ability to collaborate with legal, executive, and program leadership to shape public positioning.
• Professional proficiency in MS Office suite.
• Professional proficiency in spoken and written English.
  
  

Compensation

Save the Children is offering the following salary ranges for this position, dependent on candidate location:

• Geo 1 - NY Metro, DC, and other locations with labor costs significantly above national average: Target Salary for this position is $156,400 – $174,800 base salary
• Geo 2 - Locations around the US National Labor Cost Average: Target Salary for this position is $141,950 – $158,650 base salary
• Geo 3 - Locations significantly below the US National Labor Cost Average: Target Salary for this position is $127,500 – $142,500 base salary
  
  

The salary ranges listed above are for US based candidates. For candidates located outside of the US, salary ranges will be based on the salary scales of the local employer of record. Actual base salary may vary based on, but not limited to, relevant experience, base salary of internal peers, business sector, and geographic location (more information on job structure is available here).

About Us

We are looking to build an inclusive team at Save the Children. We offer a range of outstanding benefits to support this goal:

• Flexible schedules and time off: Flexible schedules, generous PTO, 11 paid holidays plus 2 floating holidays and hybrid working opportunities
• Health: Competitive health care, dental and vision coverage for you and your family
• Family: A variety of paid leaves: caregiver, parental/adoption, critical child illness and fertility benefits
• Employee Rewards Program: Annual merit increases and/or additional incentives for eligible employees
• Retirement: A retirement savings plan with employer contributions (after one year)
• Wellness: 15 safety and wellness days annually (if hired on or after July 1, safety and wellness days prorated to 8 days), mental health benefits and support through Calm and company-hosted events
• Employee Assistance Program: free and confidential assessments, short-term counseling, referrals, and follow-up services
• Learning & Growth: Access to internal and external learning & development opportunities and mentorships
  
  

Click here to learn more about how Save the Children US will invest in you.

Save the Children is committed to conducting its programs and operations in a manner that is safe for the children it serves and helping protect the children with whom we are in contact. All Save the Children representatives are explicitly prohibited from engaging in any activity that may result in any kind of child abuse.

Save the Children is committed to minimizing safety and security risks for our valued employees, ensuring all are given training, support and information to reduce their risk exposure while maximizing the impact of our programs for children and families. Our shared duty, both agency and individual, is to seek and maintain safe working conditions for all.

If you require disability assistance with the application or recruitment process, please submit a request to [email protected].