Deputy Director, Executive Communications

Human Rights Watch • New York, New York, United States • 1d ago

FIXED-TERM FULL-TIME VACANCY
Deputy Director, Executive Communications
Communications Department
New York Office
Application Deadline: September 30, 2026

Reporting to the Global Communications Director, the Deputy Director, Executive Communications will serve as a senior strategic partner to Human Rights Watch’s leadership, shaping executive visibility, organizational narrative, and high-stakes public engagement across global priorities.

The Deputy Director will lead the strategy to build the global profile of Human Rights Watch’s leadership through high-impact message development, media opportunities, speaking engagements and social media support to build trust and authority on human rights, international justice, and accountability.

Working closely with senior leaders across Communications, Program, Advocacy, and Development departments, the Deputy Director will set priorities for executive thought leadership across top-tier global media, emerging platforms, and global policy forums, while overseeing the management and growth of key social media accounts to build influence with priority audiences.

This includes developing proactive visibility plans, preparing leaders for media interviews and public appearances, creating and scheduling social content, and identifying avenues to expand Human Rights Watch’s reach among decision makers, donors and partners, and the general public.

This is a fixed-term (three year), full-time position that will work closely with the Executive Director in New York and report to Global Communications Director based in London. The successful candidate will be expected to work from the New York office at least three days per week.

Responsibilities

Partner with the Director, Global Communications to set and lead an executive communications strategy that positions Human Rights Watch’s Executive Director and senior leaders as authoritative voices in global debates on human rights, international justice and governance.
Shape and steward a distinctive executive voice across media, op-eds, social media and high-impact public engagements, reaching priority audiences including policymakers, media, donors and the broader human rights movement.
Identify, cultivate, and secure the platforms that matter most to influential audiences, from top-tier media and global forums to emerging spaces such as podcasts, newsletters, and digital convenings.
Lead close coordination with HRW’s communications team and other colleagues across the organization, aligning executive communications with editorial and advocacy priorities and maximizing opportunities for strategic amplification.
Serve as a trusted senior adviser to executive leadership on tone and positioning, bringing informed judgement about where influence is shifting and how HRW can remain relevant and authoritative.
Direct the preparation and briefing of senior leaders for interviews, panels, speeches, and critical advocacy moments, ensuring each engagement advances strategic objectives and reinforces HRW’s credibility and mission.
Set and uphold high editorial standards across all content, balancing authenticity, intellectual authority, political sensitivity, and strategic clarity.
Maintain a sophisticated understanding of the evolving influence landscape and advise senior leaders on where, when and how they should engage to shape critical conversations.
Strengthen organizational media readiness and learning, including through executive media training, performance analysis, and the systematic application of insights and feedback.

Qualifications
Education: A bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience in journalism, marketing, communications, media, human rights, or similar related field is required. An advanced degree is desirable.

Experience: A minimum of ten years' relevant work experience is required, preferably within a global, large-scale, diverse, and dynamic mission-driven organization operating internationally.

Required Skills and Knowledge

Exceptional writing and editorial leadership: Produces outstanding content across formats and provides authoritative editorial direction, translating complex and sensitive issues into clear, compelling language.
Strategic judgement and rigor: Brings intellectual integrity, political sensitivity, and strong editorial discipline, with the ability to make sound decisions and deliver quickly and accurately in high-stakes contexts.
Executive counsel and influence: Builds trusted relationships with senior leaders, anticipates opportunities and risks, and provides confident, constructive, and strategically grounded advice.
Media and network fluency: Demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of the global news and influence landscape, with strong relationships and the instinct to place and position content for maximum impact.
Organizational leadership and collaboration: Works effectively across teams at all levels, regions and disciplines; building alignment around priorities and leading colleagues and partners towards high-quality outcomes.
Adaptability and innovation: Anticipates changes in platforms, formats, and audience behavior, and makes informed strategic decisions about where to invest time, attention, and resources.
Proficiency in French is desirable but not required.

Other: Applicants for this role should possess valid work authorization for the US, HRW cannot guarantee the ability to sponsor work authorization for this role.

Salary and Benefits: HRW seeks exceptional applicants and offers competitive compensation and employer-paid benefits. The salary range for this position is US$ 140,000 - 160,000.

How to Apply: Please apply immediately by visiting our online job portal at https://careers.hrw.org/ and attaching a cover letter and a resume or CV, preferably as PDF files. No calls or email inquiries, please. Only complete applications will be reviewed and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

If you are experiencing technical difficulties with your application submission, or if you require accommodations during the application process, please email recruitment@hrw.org. Due to the large response, application submissions via email will not be accepted and inquiries regarding the status of applications will go unanswered.

Human Rights Watch is strong because it is diverse. We actively seek a diverse applicant pool and encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply. Human Rights Watch does not discriminate on the basis of disability, age, gender identity and expression, national origin, race and ethnicity, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, or criminal record. We welcome all kinds of diversity. Our employees include people who are parents and nonparents, the self-taught and university educated, and from a wide span of socio-economic backgrounds and perspectives on the world. Human Rights Watch is an equal opportunity employer.

Human Rights Watch is an international human rights monitoring and advocacy organization known for its in-depth investigations, its incisive and timely reporting, its innovative and high-profile advocacy campaigns, and its success in changing the human rights-related policies and practices of influential governments and international institutions.