How to apply for Senior Communications Officer, Media & Public Affairs

About GiveWell

GiveWell is a nonprofit that researches cost-effective giving opportunities in global health and development. It directed more than $400 million in 2025 and expects to approach or exceed $1 billion this year. People who want their work to directly influence how hundreds of millions of dollars are donated may find this relevant.

About the role

This role leads how GiveWell is represented in media and public conversations. You set media strategy, build relationships with journalists, and lead external responses in fast-moving situations. The work matters because GiveWell's growth depends on public understanding and trust as it scales toward directing billions.

A typical day

A typical day might include reviewing incoming journalist inquiries, meeting with your team on media strategy, and coordinating with the VP of Communications on a response to a public question. You might also brief a reporter on GiveWell's research or prepare talking points for a fast-moving situation. Exact routines are not described in the posting; ask about team cadence and decision-making in interviews.

Who GiveWell is looking for

• Has led media strategy or public affairs at a senior level, including handling rapid-response situations.
• Has built and maintained relationships with journalists and influential voices, not just pitched stories.
• Can manage a small team and work with a VP of Communications and two peer senior communications officers.
• Understands or can quickly learn GiveWell's research-driven approach to global health and effective giving.

Tips for this application

• Read GiveWell's published research and recent media coverage before writing anything. Reference specific articles or interviews in your application.
• Explain how you have set media strategy, not just executed it. GiveWell wants someone who decides what to pursue and what to decline.
• Describe a specific fast-moving situation you handled externally. State what you did, what you said publicly, and what changed.
• Note that this is one of three new senior communications roles. Show you can coordinate with peers leading strategic communications and editing.
• Since the role is remote in the US, state how you have worked effectively with journalists and teams across time zones.

What to cover in your cover letter

Your cover letter should address: (1) a media strategy you built and the results it produced; (2) how you have handled a public-facing crisis or rapid response; (3) your experience managing or growing a team; (4) why GiveWell's research-driven approach to global health appeals to you specifically, not just nonprofit communications in general.

Research before applying

• Read GiveWell's latest research on top charities and its annual metrics on dollars directed.
• Review recent media coverage of GiveWell and effective altruism to understand the current public conversation.
• Look up Steven Profaizer, Vice President of Communications, and any public statements about GiveWell's communications strategy.
• Understand the relationship between GiveWell and Coefficient Giving, noted in the job posting, and how that may affect media questions.

Likely interview topics

Based on the job description, expect questions about:

• How would you decide which media opportunities to pursue for GiveWell and which to decline?
• Describe a time you led external communications during a fast-moving situation. What did you do and what was the outcome?
• How would you explain GiveWell's cost-effectiveness research to a journalist who is skeptical of effective altruism?
• How would you build relationships with journalists who cover global health and philanthropy?
• How would you coordinate with the Senior Communications Officer, Strategic Communications and the Senior Communications Officer, Editor?

Common mistakes to avoid

• Treating this as a generic nonprofit communications role. GiveWell's work is research-heavy and media coverage often involves scrutiny of effective altruism.
• Focusing only on pitching stories. This role requires setting strategy and leading external response, not just media outreach.
• Ignoring the scale of GiveWell's grantmaking. Candidates who do not mention the $400 million to $1 billion range show they have not read the job details.