Director, Media

Human Rights Watch’s Communications Department shapes the organization’s public voice and influence, ensuring our research and advocacy informs global debates, reaches key decision makers, and drives accountability for human rights abuses wherever they occur. Reporting to the Global Communications Director, the Media Director manages a team across the US, Americas, Europe, Middle East, Asia, and Africa to maximize strategic coverage of HRW’s research on traditional and emerging media platforms. The position is based within commuting distance of one of the following HRW offices: New York, Washington DC, or London. Candidates must be willing to work from the office 2‑3 days per week.

Responsibilities

• Set and lead editorial vision for HRW’s media engagement to advance advocacy priorities, strengthen institutional voice, and maintain prominence and relevance across traditional and emerging platforms.
• Provide strategic leadership to the media division, driving performance, cohesion, and accountability while aligning divisional priorities with the goals of the wider Department and organization.
• Translate HRW’s global strategy into clear media priorities, ensuring the division’s work is focused on moments, audiences, and channels where influence is most effectively exercised.
• Oversee the development and deployment of media products and interventions to meet the changing influence and technology landscape.
• Direct budget planning and resource allocation to prioritize high‑impact interventions and emerging opportunities while maintaining operational discipline.
• Build and sustain relationships with influential external audiences, including senior journalists, editors, commentators, podcasters and newsletter writers.
• Work closely with senior leadership, especially the Executive Director, to strategically shape their visibility and thought leadership.
• Act as a strategic advisor internally, working closely with leadership in the Communication Division, the Executive Committee and Program teams.
• Lead HRW’s crisis communications capability, ensuring rapid and authoritative responses during high‑risk moments.
• Set and maintain high editorial standards across all media outputs.
• Direct HRW’s media planning, managing the editorial calendar and making deliberate decisions on activations.
• Drive a data‑informed approach to media outreach, using audience and performance insights to guide engagement.
• Strengthen organizational media readiness and learning, including media training, performance review, and continuous improvement.
• Perform other tasks as may be required.

Qualifications

• Education: A bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience in communications, media, journalism, marketing, human rights, or a similar related field is required.
• Experience: A minimum of ten years of relevant work experience and at least five of team management experience is required.

Required Competencies

• Collegiate: Engages with staff, external partners, donors, and Board members in collegial and collaborative consultation.
• Strategic: Works strategically to leverage the diversity of skillsets, expertise, experience, and identities.
• Inclusive: Creates an inclusive and positive work environment.
• Compassionate: Creates organizational systems and processes that enable a safe, well, and resilient workplace.
• Ambitious: Drives change and improvement at the organizational level.
• System‑oriented: Designs and enables processes and systems that allow for more efficient organizational operations.
• Accountable: Models integrity, ownership, and accountability in all aspects of the work.
• Vision‑driven: Contributes to overall organizational leadership, culture, and strategy.
• Supportive: Utilizes coaching and mentoring to develop staff of all levels.
• Organized: Actively leads and participates in planning and strategy processes for the organization.

Other Requirements

• Proficiency in English is required; proficiency in other languages, particularly French or Arabic, is desirable.
• Applicants must possess valid US work authorization; HRW cannot guarantee sponsorship for this role.

Salary and Benefits

HRW offers competitive compensation and employer‑paid benefits. The salary range for this position is US$150,000–165,000.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Human Rights Watch is an equal‑opportunity employer and strongly values diversity. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, age, gender identity or expression, national origin, race and ethnicity, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, or criminal record. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds.