External Relations (ER) - Associate Director, Communications

Action Against Hunger•New York, NY

About The Position

Action Against Hunger leads the global movement to end hunger. We innovate solutions, advocate for change, and reach 28 million people every year with proven hunger prevention and treatment programs. As a nonprofit that works across 55 countries, our 8,990 dedicated staff members partner with communities to address the root causes of hunger, including climate change, conflict, inequity, and emergencies. We strive to create a world free from hunger, for everyone, for good. Action Against Hunger USA is part of the Action Against Hunger International network. As an independent NGO, Action Against Hunger USA currently manages operations in 8 countries: Kenya, South Sudan, Somalia, Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia, Zambia and Haiti. Purpose: To serve as the strategic architect of the organization’s global brand, content ecosystem, and executive narrative. This role directs the overarching strategy to elevate brand reputation, drive audience acquisition, and fuel significant revenue growth. Engagement: To operate as a senior strategic partner to the CEO, Senior Leadership Team, and Department Heads across External Relations, Programs, Advocacy, and the Global Network. To lead high-level negotiations and strategy with country directors and external consultants to ensure a cohesive global identity. Delivery: To design and own a comprehensive, data-driven brand and content roadmap. To lead and scale a multi-disciplinary creative division, delivering high-impact storytelling that powers the organization's fundraising engines, including marquee events and sustainable giving—and cements Action Against Hunger’s position as a thought leader.

Requirements

10-12+ years of progressive experience in communications, brand management, content strategy, and/or journalism, with at least 4 years in a leadership role.
Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Journalism, Marketing, Public Relations, International Development, or a related field required.
Strong knowledge of international development, nonprofit, and humanitarian work
Proficiency in English. Fluency in French or Spanish desirable.
Technical competency in WordPress, Drupal, or other Content Management Systems required.
Strategic familiarity with SEMRush or similar SEO tools preferred.
Ability to travel internationally 1-2 times per year for 1-2 weeks per trip.
Executive Presence & Consultancy: Demonstrated experience acting as a strategic advisor to C-suite leadership, specifically in the realm of executive communications and thought leadership (LinkedIn, op-eds). (years of experience, technical)
Strategic Brand Governance: Proven experience in strategic brand management, including the development and implementation of brand guidelines and messaging frameworks for a global organization.
Global Team Leadership: Demonstrated experience in leading, managing, and developing a diverse, multi-functional communications team, including international staff.
Event & Revenue Content Strategy: Proven ability to design content strategies for high-revenue events (Galas) and sustainable giving pipelines.
Editorial Excellence: Exceptional skills in professional writing, editing, and story development with strong attention to detail.
Project Leadership: Strong strategic project management skills, with proven ability to problem-solve, anticipate challenges, and execute solutions.
Audience Segmentation: Experience producing communications tailored to a range of different target audiences, including translating highly technical source material into compelling content.
Data-Driven Mindset: Experience using a data-driven approach to inform and adapt strategy.
Leadership Acumen: Excellent judgement and a proactive, solutions-focused approach to leadership.

Responsibilities

Governs the organization’s brand architecture, messaging framework, and visual identity, acting as the ultimate authority to ensure consistent, compelling, and compliant brand expression across all internal and external touchpoints.
Spearheads the executive communications strategy, directly overseeing the CEO’s narrative and thought leadership presence. This includes drafting and directing high-level communications for LinkedIn, op-eds, and external speaking engagements to elevate organizational visibility.
Designs and directs the global content strategy, style guide, and editorial calendar, ensuring alignment with high-level institutional priorities and rapid-response requirements.
Provides high-level strategic counsel on the overall communications plan, identifying opportunities for integrated advocacy campaigns and major donor-facing initiatives.
Directs performance analysis, delivering quarterly executive-level metrics reports. Uses advanced data insights to pivot strategy, optimize budget allocation, and demonstrate ROI on brand awareness and engagement.
Builds and directs a high-performance global division, leading, mentoring, and developing a growing team of communications professionals. This includes direct supervision of the Nairobi-based Communications Officer, Senior Officer, Social Media Officer, Content Associate, and Multimedia Producer
Drives the workflow and creative output of the brand and content unit, holding full accountability for the quality, strategic alignment, and timely delivery of all assets.
Serves as the US Representative on the Global Network’s Content Group, Brand Forum Management Group, and International Report Reviewer Group, negotiating US priorities within global initiatives.
Architects the content strategy for marquee fundraising moments, specifically overseeing the narrative arc and asset production for the Annual Gala and other high-profile events to maximize donor engagement and revenue.
Strategizes and executes the content pipeline for the Sustainable Giving program, working in close partnership with the Director of Donor Marketing to develop retention-focused storytelling that drives recurring revenue.
Manages the strategic deployment of content-gathering missions, possessing full budget oversight and authority over coordination with regional country teams to secure high-value assets.
Acts as Chief Editor and Brand Guardian for all tier-one external content, including annual reports, website architecture, and key marketing collateral.
Directs the SEO strategy, integrating best practices into content development to drive organic traffic growth and support broader digital fundraising goals.