Communications Manager

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title: Communications Manager

Job Group: Level 4

Reports to: VP of Public Affairs

Salary Range: $85,000 - $95,000

FLSA Status: Exempt

Job Location: Remote (within the U.S.)

JOB SUMMARY

The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) is a non-profit, nonpartisan membership organization dedicated to supporting and advancing the work of economic development professionals. Representing more than 4,500 members worldwide, IEDC is the largest organization of its kind. In 2026, IEDC celebrates its 100th year of impact, marking a century of convening practitioners, policymakers, researchers, and community leaders to address complex economic challenges - from job creation and workforce transformation to resilience, equity, and sustainable growth.

IEDC is seeking a Communications Manager to lead the development and execution of an integrated communications and storytelling strategy that demonstrates the Economic Recovery Corps’ (ERC) impact, elevating its visibility to support fundraising and partnerships. This role involves designing impactful messaging, managing a comprehensive communications portfolio, and building collaboration across a diverse set of partners and stakeholders to amplify ERC’s mission. The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker with expertise in public relations, media engagement, donor communications, and digital content creation.

The Communications Manager will report to the Vice President of Public Affairs and work closely with IEDC’s Vice President of Emerging Practices to ensure programmatic and strategic alignment. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced communications leader to shape the narrative of a transformative program, driving visibility and engagement for ERC’s mission to promote equity-driven economic development.

This position is grant-funded and is contingent upon the availability of funding. Continued employment may depend on the renewal or extension of the grant.

Essential Job Functions & Key Outcomes

Strategic Communications Leadership

• Develop and implement a comprehensive communications strategy to advance ERC’s mission, emphasizing equity-driven economic development.
• Align communications with ERC’s goals of visibility, community engagement, and stakeholder support.
• Oversee the creation of cohesive, multi-channel messaging that resonates with diverse audiences, including donors, government entities, media, and underserved communities.

Media Relations and Public Engagement

• Cultivate relationships with journalists, editors, and influencers to secure earned media coverage in mainstream and technical outlets.
• Draft and pitch press releases, op-eds, and articles, ensuring impactful media engagement.
• Serve as a strategic advisor to senior leadership on media strategies and public statements.
• Represent ERC at events and networking opportunities, ensuring alignment with the program’s branding and messaging.
• Collaborate with IEDC’s Marketing and Communications team on the broader IEDC communications strategy.

Content Development and Storytelling

• Create compelling content for fundraising campaigns, donor updates, reports, and promotional materials.
• Collaborate with program teams to identify and highlight success stories, case studies, and impactful narratives.
• Manage multimedia content creation, including podcasts, video storytelling, and visual design, to amplify ERC’s reach.

Coalition Management and Vendor Oversight

• Organize communications with and across ERC’s six national partners, fostering collaboration and cohesive messaging to elevate the program’s visibility and impact.
• Oversee contractors in media relations, graphic design, photography, video production, and editing, ensuring timely and high-quality deliverables.
• Develop RFPs and manage projects related to ERC’s communication needs.

Digital and Social Media Strategy

• Collaborate with IEDC’s Marketing and Communication team to oversee ERC’s digital presence, including the ERC website, its representation on IEDC’s social media platforms, and a shared digital content calendar.
• Develop strategies to increase engagement and visibility, leveraging analytics to refine approaches.

Stakeholder and Partner Communications

• Provide guidance and support to ERC’s national partners, host organizations and fellows, ensuring their materials align with brand guidelines and messaging standards.
• Facilitate knowledge sharing and best practices among hosts and fellows to enhance communications efforts at the local level.
• Facilitate capacity-building sessions on communications best practices, including writing impactful success stories.

Completes other duties and related projects as assigned

Education, Experience & Credentials

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, Public Relations, Marketing, Journalism, or related field (Master’s degree preferred)
• Minimum five years of experience with progressive responsibilities in strategic communications, public relations, or journalism
• Proven track record in launching programs and securing media coverage
• Experience creating donor and stakeholder engagement content
• Writing and Editing: Exceptional ability to produce high-quality written content
• Project Management: Skilled in managing projects, RFPs, budgets, and deadlines
• Team Leadership: Ability to build a team and manage external vendors
• Strategic thinker with a creative mindset
• Data-driven approach to communications
• Strong interpersonal skills and a commitment to equity and inclusion
• Passion for economic resilience and addressing systemic inequities
• A collaborative and innovative mindset
• Commitment to the mission and values of IEDC

Competencies

Core Competencies

• Accountability
• Adaptability
• Collaboration & Teamwork
• Critical Thinking & Problem Solving
• Diplomacy & Confidentiality
• Member & Stakeholder Engagement
• Outcomes & Solutions Oriented
• Program & Project Management
• Technical Expertise & Credibility
• Values & Prioritizes Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

WORKING CONDITIONS

This position is eligible for remote work within the United States. Candidates within commuting distance of Washington, DC have the option to work from IEDC’s office on a hybrid basis. Candidates must have reliable access to dedicated high-quality internet service, and be willing to work primarily on an Eastern U.S. schedule of operations. This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. 

In addition, this position requires: 

• Occasional weekend, evening, or night work hours
• Some overnight, out-of-town travel is required (10-20%) 
  • Occasional travel to the IEDC office in Washington, DC

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to occasionally talk, hear, stoop, bend, kneel, frequently sit for extended periods of time; and continuously operate a computer and use manual dexterity for tasks such as keyboarding. The job requires occasional sedentary physical effort of lifting, pushing, pulling, and carrying objects weighing up to 25 lbs. The mental demands of the job include continuous comprehension, organizing and reading and writing; frequently engage in reasoning, decision making, and interpreting and analyzing data; and occasionally requires resilience. Physical activities include sitting for longer periods, walking, bending, or specific lifting requirements.

International Economic Development Council is an Equal Opportunity Employer who encourages applications from women, people of color and other members of underrepresented groups who will contribute to the diversity of its staff. 

About IEDC

IEDC is a non-profit, non-partisan membership organization that, for nearly 100 years, has been helping economic developers around the world facilitate economic well-being in their communities. It is the largest organization of its kind supporting the economic development profession. IEDC participates in E-verify.