Communications and Public Relations Specialist

Rainbow Railroad

Reports to the Director of Communications Full-time, permanent (40 hours/week)

Location: Remote in New York, Washington, DC or Los Angeles Start Date: January 7, 2026

About Rainbow Railroad

Rainbow Railroad is an international nonprofit organization that helps LGBTQI+ people facing persecution find pathways to safety. Since our founding in 2006, we have supported nearly 40,000 at-risk LGBTQI+ people and have become a global leader in advocating for LGBTQI+ rights within the context of forced displacement. We work at the intersection of LGBTQI+ identities and forced displacement as direct service providers, advocates, thought leaders, and movement strategists. Our mission is guided by a commitment to becoming a refugee-led and refugee-informed organization, centering the voices, leadership, and experiences of LGBTQI+ people affected by forced displacement.

Rainbow Railroad is a U.S. 501(c)3 organization and a registered charity in Canada with offices in New York and Toronto.

Position Overview

Rainbow Railroad is seeking an experienced and dynamic communications professional to join our team as Communications and Public Relations Specialist. Reporting to the Director of Communications and working closely with the Director of Policy, Advocacy, and Government Relations, this role is responsible for crafting compelling narratives, building strong media relationships and ensuring Rainbow Railroad’s voice is present in critical public conversations about LGBTQI+ forced displacement. The ideal candidate is a skilled storyteller and strategic communicator with an existing U.S. media network, strong geopolitical awareness, and a deep understanding of the state of global LGBTQI+ persecution. The Specialist is expected to thrive in a fast-paced environment, crafting rapid-response statements under tight deadlines, and knowing how to translate complex humanitarian issues into impactful messages that resonate with policymakers, donors, journalists, and the public.

Key Responsibilities

Communications & PR

• Create multi-channel meaningful content that centers the voices, lived experiences and perspectives of refugees, to support a refugee-led and refugee-informed organizational orientation.
• Develop and maintain media lists that include print, online, radio, podcast and TV journalists, to ensure Rainbow Railroad is well-positioned to proactively engage media in key target markets such as New York, DC, Chicago, Houston, Atlanta, and San Francisco.
• Cultivate and nurture relationships with journalists, editors, and media outlets,
• proactively pitching stories, op-eds, interviews, and expert commentary to keep Rainbow Railroad top-of-mind for storytelling opportunities.
• In collaboration with the Senior Communications Officer, review and respond to media inquiries that result in favourable media coverage that promote Rainbow Railroad’s strategic priorities.
• With support from the Director of Policy, Advocacy, and Government Relations, monitor global and domestic (U.S. & Canada) news and political developments to identify rapid response opportunities and issue high-impact statements, media materials, and talking points within 24-48 hours.
• Execute Rainbow Railroad’s organic social media strategy, including: planning content mix, content creation, posting, resharing, and amplifying relevant partner content, scheduling, tracking performance, monitoring online conversations and relaying key information to appropriate staff, while replying to direct messages and comments in a timely manner.
• Coordinate storytelling and media engagement opportunities for LGBTQI+ refugees, including interview logistics and media prep.
• Develop and distribute the monthly newsletter to support donor acquisition and retention, and drive donations.

Advocacy & Impact

• Support the conception and implementation of advocacy campaigns that influence policymakers, decision-makers and other stakeholders to adopt, change or implement policies, programs and practices that advance the organization’s strategic priorities.
• Co-develop and externalize thought leadership and advocacy products, including reports, op-eds, white papers, guidance notes, position papers, and articles, to convey our advocacy goals and positioning on LGBTQI+ forced displacement.
• Develop and distribute social media content and toolkits informed by advocacy priorities that encourage collaboration and amplification among donors, civil society organizations, international development partners, government agencies, people with lived refugee expertise, and the global queer and ally community.

Marketing & Advertising

• Develop and maintain influencer lists, ensuring current and prospective creators reflect the diversity of the individuals we support, with a focus on the U.S.
• Co-develop and manage an influencer intake form on Rainbow Railroad’s website that empowers the organization to strategically leverage influencer interest.
• Review and respond to influencer requests, prioritizing creators that share our values and mission of helping at-risk LGBTQI+ individuals get to safety.
• Actively cultivate and nurture lasting relationships with influencers that foster consistent and meaningful collaboration.
• Support the creation of content that drives awareness and engagement through influencers’ channels.
• Work closely with the Director of Communications to manage and execute media partnerships to deliver multi-channel awareness and engagement that advance organizational priorities.

Measurement

• Monitor news media for coverage and industry trends and insights.
• Support the development of the monthly Communications reports to track, analyze, and report on the progress and impact of communications and marketing initiatives.

Qualifications

• A post-secondary degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing or a relevant field.
• 4+ years of communications or marketing experience, with knowledge of advocacy and/or policy strongly preferred.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to develop written and visual content for diverse platforms and audiences.
• Experience interfacing with media, including the development of media materials, media pitching, and crafting talking points and briefing notes.
• Existing relationships with U.S.-based journalists and creators, and familiarity with the U.S. media landscape, are considered strong assets
• Expertise in advocacy communications and marketing in the charitable sector.
• Proven track record in managing the social media profiles of a major organization.
• Familiar with the technology we love: Google Apps, Mac Environment, Salesforce, Slack, Meltwater, and Canva.
• Ability to work effectively in a dynamic environment, both independently and as part of a team.
• Strong commitment to LGBTQI+ rights and humanitarian protection.
• Experience working directly with displaced or marginalized communities.

Application Details

Application Deadline:

October 31, 2025

Compensation Package:

$75,000 USD starting salary plus a comprehensive benefits package including health and dental insurance, three weeks vacation, 16 wellness days, and a two-week holiday closure at the end of the year.

Application Process:

Please submit your application through the portal link here in Collage.

Rainbow Railroad is dedicated to building an organization that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. This includes diversity across race, ancestry, culture, languages spoken, immigration status, age, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and socioeconomic background. Requests for accommodation due to disability can be made at any stage in the recruitment process. Please email hire@rainbowrailroad.org for inquiries.

We thank all applicants for their interest in this position, however, we will only contact those selected for next steps.