Manager, Communications
About Builders
Builders is a non-partisan movement of millions, uniting Americans across lines of difference - grounded in the belief that curiosity, compassion, courage, and creativity can move us beyond division. Founded by Daniel Lubetzky, our community spans 5M+ citizens, 650M video views, and 400+ movement partners including José Andrés, Katie Couric, Adam Grant, Lonnie Ali, and Karl Rove. Through a growing ecosystem of content, tools, partnerships, and activations, we turn civic engagement into meaningful action - empowering people to participate, collaborate, and deliver real-world impact to enact lasting change.
About the Position
The media landscape has fundamentally changed - and Builders needs someone who not only knows that, but is already living it. We’re looking for a communications professional who has mastered the brass tacks of traditional PR - the pitch, the placement, the press release, the relationships - and who also sees clearly where media is heading and knows how to operate there.
Reporting to the Editorial Director and CMO, you will be the engine behind Builders’ day-to-day earned media operation - driving coverage across traditional outlets, independent media, and creator platforms alike. You think in audiences, not just outlets. You use technology to move faster and smarter. And you bring a point of view on where the media ecosystem is going - not just where it has been.
This is an ideal role for a PR professional who has done the foundational work and is ready to help define what modern communications looks like for one of the most important civic movements in the country.
Responsibilities
Earned Media & Pitching
- Own the daily pitch operation - proactively identifying story angles, drafting sharp pitches, and relentlessly following up to secure coverage across national media outlets and key regional markets (most notably, Texas).
- Monitor the news and culture cycle in real time to spot reactive opportunities where Builders’ voice, insights, or programs can be inserted credibly and quickly.
- Draft compelling press releases, media advisories, op-ed drafts, and story memos that make it easy for journalists to say yes.
- Develop and maintain a robust media list across national political, civic, and cultural beats.
- Treat creators as a core earned media channel - identifying, vetting, and building relationships with podcasters, newsletter writers, YouTube channels, and social creators whose audiences align with Builders’ mission and reach demographics traditional press doesn’t. Managing execution in collaboration with the Social team.
Media Relationships
- Build and maintain genuine, trust-based relationships with journalists, producers, editors, and bookers across print, digital, broadcast, and podcast platforms.
- Serve as a consistent, reliable point of contact for media - responding quickly, providing useful background, and positioning Builders as a go-to source for cross-partisan civic stories.
- Identify and cultivate relationships with emerging media voices and non-traditional platforms where Builders’ message can reach new audiences.
- Support the placement and preparation of Builders spokespeople and Movement Partners for media appearances, interviews, and contributed content opportunities.
Technology & Tools
- Leverage AI tools actively across your workflow - pitch drafting, media research, coverage analysis, and contact list building - staying ahead of emerging PR tech.
- Own the team’s media monitoring and outreach stack (Muck Rack, SmartSuite, TVEyes) - maintaining lists, tracking coverage, and generating regular performance reports to sharpen strategy.
- Use social listening and trend-monitoring tools to identify story opportunities early and keep Builders positioned to move quickly when moments arise.
- Bring a continuous improvement mindset to the comms tech toolkit - evaluating new tools, testing what works, and making recommendations to the Editorial Directo