Communications Manager, Global Programs

International Justice Mission•Virginia - Hybrid, VA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

International Justice Mission (IJM) is seeking a Communications Manager to lead messaging strategy that translates IJM’s casework and innovative protection programs into clear, compelling marketing communications for mass audiences. This role serves as a key collaborator between Global Programs, Revenue Resources, and Global Marketing Communications. It partners with subject matter experts to define content strategy, position programs for mass audiences, and develop repeatable messages. It then translates that strategy into messaging frameworks and source-of-truth content for priority audiences, marketing campaigns, and media. This position is hybrid (onsite Tuesdays & Thursdays) if located in the Washington, DC area or remote for non-local candidates.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in communications, writing, marketing, journalism, English, nonprofit management, or related field;
7+ years of experience in strategic communications, marketing communications, campaign communications, content strategy, brand messaging, or related roles;
Experience developing messaging for multiple audience profiles, including mass audiences, major donors, institutional partners, media, and senior leaders;
Experience working across cultures and functions with program experts, regional teams, communications partners, and senior leaders;
Strong strategic communications and messaging architecture skills, with ability to develop repeatable frameworks, narrative guidance, and reusable content assets;
Advanced writing, editing, and editorial judgment;
Demonstrated experience developing mass-audience marketing messages for international development contexts is strongly preferred;
This role reports to the Global Director, Marketing Communications.
It does not directly supervise staff but provides strategic communications direction to IJM’s leadership and cross-functional partners.
Eager commitment to IJM's Core Values: Christian, Professional and Bridge-Building;
Self-starter with strong initiative;
Disciplined with priorities;
Strong interpersonal skills and self-awareness;
Exceptional verbal and written communication;
Flexible, collaborative and eager to support others;
Effective team player who fosters collaborative environment;
Global and cultural awareness, with sensitivity to communicating across diverse audiences and contexts;
Adept at creative problem solving.
Requires current authorization to work in the United States.
Candidate selection is based on technical competence, recruitment, selection and hiring criteria subject to assessing the candidate’s value congruence and thorough background, police clearance, and reference check processes.
IJM requires a background check, police clearance and thorough review of references with an employment offer and/or employment contract.

Responsibilities

Develop and operationalize messaging strategies that align programmatic evidence, organizational priorities, and IJM’s Brand Platform;
Lead mass audience positioning for forced labor slavery/human trafficking, violence against women and children, online sexual exploitation of children, and police abuse of power portfolios. Make complex programmatic truths clear, relevant, and compelling for external audiences;
Create and maintain key messages, messaging frameworks, and authoritative content that can be adapted across audiences, platforms, and uses;
Ensure program communications are accurate, culturally sensitive, survivor-centered, dignified, and consistent with brand and ethical storytelling standards, message, structure, and audience experience;
Coordinate with program, regional, marketing, fundraising, and media teams to align communications and enable consistent adoption of approved messages;
Lead end-to-end messaging development for priority program areas, ensuring alignment with program evidence, organizational strategy, audience needs, and brand standards
Lead working sessions that clarify the communications challenge, establish audience priorities, and align partners around a clear messaging direction;
Lead and produce content strategy, audience positioning, message architecture, and key-message development for IJM’s programmatic priorities;
Build scalable content systems that allow one core programmatic truth to be adapted for different audiences, platforms, and communications objectives without message drift;
Use audience insights, partner feedback, and content performance to refine messaging strategy and improve clarity and engagement;
Translate complex program models, evidence, data, and technical language into accessible, accurate, and compelling external communications;
Apply survivor-centered storytelling and dignified messaging principles when communicating about violence, exploitation, casework, and lived experience;
Build communications capability by developing practical guidance and repeatable tools that help teams use approved program messaging consistently;
Provide strategic and editorial counsel to program and communications partners on audience relevance, message hierarchy, cultural context, and ethical storytelling;
Participation in IJM’s community of spiritual formation.