Communications & Engagement Manager

Job Title: Communications and Engagement Manager

Reports to: Chief Public Affairs Officer

Salary range: $80,000 - $95,000

FLSA Status: Exempt

Job Location: Remote Eligible

JOB SUMMARY

The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) seeks a creative, multitalented Communications and Engagement Manager to design and implement day-to-day marketing and communications functions that support IEDC’s mission and strategic priorities.

The primary objective of this role is to effectively promote the organization’s goals, programs, and initiatives to our diverse audiences, while ensuring alignment with our mission of advancing economic development. This position will be instrumental in further establishing IEDC as a preeminent leader in economic development, driving growth, innovation, and collaboration for our members and stakeholders.

By significantly contributing to the marketing and communications team and championing a collaborative, innovative work environment, the Manager will play a pivotal role in implementing strong internal and external communications strategies and enhancing IEDC’s reputation, engagement capabilities, and influence within the industry and beyond.

Reporting to the Chief Public Affairs Officer, this position is responsible for collaborating across teams to devise and execute compelling tactics across IEDC’s communications channels, including IEDC.org, social media, and email. The Communications and Engagement Manager will serve as an operational lead on marketing and communications.

Essential Job Functions & Key Outcomes

Communications and Marketing

• Develop engaging materials for marketing campaigns and promotions for training courses, membership recruitment and retention, conferences and events, awards, grant programs, research, policy advocacy, fundraising efforts, and IEDC’s 100th anniversary activities in 2026.
• Manage an editorial calendar and publish content across digital communications channels, including IEDC.org; IEDC’s primary newsletters, ED Now and IEDC News; action alerts and standalone email messaging; conference app; and social media.
• Develop and execute a media relations strategy, including paid and earned media, and serve as a primary contact for media outlets.
• Design ads for print publications and digital marketing.
• Assist with IEDC’s organizational rebranding and new website development, including the current site audit, new site architecture and design, and CMS integrations and implementation.
• Design graphics and curate other visual assets, including photography, gifs, and videos for digital platforms and print marketing materials such as event signage and presentations, brochures, reports, and flyers.
• Execute a social media strategy to increase IEDC’s reach and engagement across platforms such as LinkedIn, Facebook, X, and Instagram.
  • Monitor and engage with our online community, responding appropriately to comments, messages, and inquiries.
  • Contribute to the communications aspects of IEDC conferences and events, including promotional materials, agendas and presentation templates, and post-event follow-ups.
  • Manage website content, ensuring information is accurate and current.
  • Fulfill sponsorship marketing and branding deliverables.
  • Provide regular analytics reports and data-driven tactical recommendations, including SEO for web traffic, to cultivate deeper membership and stakeholder engagement.
  • Adhere to IEDC’s brand and stylistic guidelines in all content creation and manage brand standards and governance across IEDC.
• Complete other duties and projects as assigned.

Cross-Departmental Collaboration

• • Collaborate with teammates across IEDC to generate dynamic, action-oriented content that aligns with organizational strategic priorities and brand guidelines.
  • Foster a professional, mission-driven culture that values innovation, accountability, and results.
  • Facilitate internal systems and processes, including internal communications and customer service, necessary for efficient, productive collaboration.

Education, Experience & Credentials

Education & Credentials:

• • Minimum 5-7 years of progressive communications and marketing experience in a nonprofit, membership association, or related environment.
  • Proven success implementing comprehensive communications strategies and achieving growth in digital engagement.
  • Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, journalism, graphic design, or related field required.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:

• • Strong writing and creative abilities, with a focus on crafting clear, compelling content for a variety of platforms and audiences.
  • Proficiency in graphic design and video editing tools (e.g. Canva, Adobe Creative Suite, Final Cut Pro, or similar software) for creating visually appealing and brand-compliant materials.
  • Familiarity with email marketing platforms (e.g. HubSpot) and best practices for campaign development.
  • Basic web content management skills (e.g. HTML)
  • Expertise in media relations and messaging, including drafting and distributing press releases, targeted pitching, and op-ed writing and placement.
  • Excellent project management and communications skills, with strong attention to detail, the ability to balance multiple tasks and deadlines, and collaboration with various stakeholders.
  • Experience with data analytics tools (e.g., Google analytics and social media insights).
  • Knowledge of the economic development field or a related sector (community development, workforce, infrastructure, public-private partnerships) is preferred but not required.

Competencies

Successful candidates will demonstrate the skills and behaviors aligned in IEDC’s Competency Framework, which defines what success looks like across all roles. These competencies reflect the expectations for how we work and deliver meaningful impact for our team and members, regardless of function or job level.

Core Competencies

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

WORKING CONDITIONS

This position is eligible for remote work within the United States. If not located within commuting distance of our Washington, DC office, candidates must have reliable access to dedicated high-quality internet service and be willing to accommodate an Eastern U.S. schedule of operations. This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

In addition, this position requires:

• • Occasional weekend and evening work 
  • Some overnight, out-of-town travel
  • Occasional travel to the IEDC office

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. 

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

Compensation and Benefits

IEDC offers a competitive salary commensurate with experience and a generous benefits program that currently includes medical, dental, vision, life, disability insurance, sick and vacation leave, federally recognized holidays, a generous non-elective 401(k) contribution, remote work allowance. and an annual professional development stipend.

To Apply

Click Here to submit your resume and cover letter. Please note that both a cover letter and resume are required for consideration. Applications must be submitted through our HR system; applications submitted outside of the system will not be considered.

About IEDC

The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) is the largest nonprofit professional association for economic developers in the world. For 100 years, IEDC has been the leading voice of the profession, providing leadership, education, and best practices to help communities foster growth, innovation, and opportunity. As IEDC approaches its centennial year in 2026, the organization is expanding its partnerships, thought leadership, and programs to meet the evolving needs of economic developers and the communities they serve.