Vice President, Strategic Engagement & Communications

The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM)•Washington, DC

3d•$152,000 - $210,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Manufacturing Institute (MI) is seeking a strategic, entrepreneurial, and highly collaborative Vice President, Strategic Engagement & Communications. This is a new role created to lead and integrate the MI’s communications function, encompassing marketing, brand positioning, enterprise-wide messaging, stakeholder communications, media relations, and executive communications. Reporting to the President of the Manufacturing Institute, this senior role will develop, shape, and strengthen the MI’s brand awareness, narrative, and communications strategy. The goal is to ensure the Institute’s mission, programs, research, partnerships, and impact are clearly positioned for priority audiences, including manufacturers, philanthropic entities, workforce organizations, economic development and educational entities, policymakers, partners, media, and internal stakeholders. The Vice President will serve as the senior communications strategist within the MI’s leadership team, translating the MI's strategic priorities into compelling narratives, identifying opportunities to elevate the Institute's national leadership, and ensuring communications efforts reinforce the organization's mission, reputation, and long-term goals. This position will work closely with the MI’s affiliate, the NAM’s strategic communications leads, and the MI program leaders to align priorities, elevate the MI’s national workforce leadership, support fundraising, and partner engagement.

Requirements

12+ years of progressively responsible communications, marketing, public affairs, or external relations experience.
Demonstrated ability to develop and execute integrated communications strategies that advance organizational priorities, shape narratives, and reach multiple audiences.
Strong track record of managing multiple portfolios simultaneously, balancing long-term strategic objectives with immediate, high-priority opportunities.
Exceptional writer and editor, with experience producing high-impact content, remarks, op-eds, donor communications, briefing materials, and public-facing content.
Experience advising senior executives and translating complex issues into digestible communications.
Strong media relations judgment and ability to coordinate proactive and responsive communications in partnership with internal and external stakeholders.
Ability to manage complex projects independently, balance competing priorities, and deliver high-quality work under deadlines.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills. Relationships are important; this role will build, support, and strengthen relationships with staff, partners, donors, media, and other stakeholders.
A team-oriented attitude with a developed customer service focus. The MI’s work is collaborative and often shaped through relationships across the organization and with external partners.
Sound judgment, discretion, and a commitment to producing accurate, high-impact communications that reflect the MI’s mission and values.

Nice To Haves

Experience working in an association, nonprofit, workforce development, education, or manufacturing environment preferred.

Responsibilities

Develop and execute an integrated communications strategy that advances the MI’s mission, strategic priorities, and organizational objectives.
Build and lead an integrated communications function across content, executive communications, marketing, media relations, and digital communications.
Develop and drive the MI’s marketing strategy to strengthen organizational positioning and increase awareness of the MI’s impact and capabilities.
Identify opportunities to strengthen the MI's reputation as the national leader in manufacturing workforce development and education.
Develop and lead a comprehensive partner and funder communications strategy in close collaboration with the VP of Partnerships & Philanthropy and MI leadership, ensuring all stewardship, recognition, and impact communications reinforce the value and outcomes of partner engagement.
Collaborate with the NAM’s Strategic Communications team to set the MI’s media strategy and coordinate with them on proactive media engagement, message development, publication rollouts, rapid response, and opportunities to amplify MI priorities.
Manage the MI’s editorial strategy across all channels to maximize reach, amplify priorities, and ensure brand alignment.
Oversee the MI’s Content Team to translate program outcomes, research findings, convenings, employer engagement, and workforce solutions into high-impact content.
Serve as the primary point of contact for the MI with the NAM’s strategic communications team to support integrated planning and ensure the MI’s work is appropriately reflected in broader NAM reports, speeches, campaigns, events, and external communications.
Plan and execute communications including but not limited to message architecture, rollout planning, stakeholder alignment, and audience-specific materials.
Maintain awareness of workforce, manufacturing, education, labor market, media, and policy trends to identify opportunities for relevant insights and thought leadership.
Establish communications planning, governance, and decision-making processes that improve coordination, prioritization, and organizational impact.
Directly supervise the Director of the MI’s Workforce Content Team, providing strategic direction, performance management, coaching, and professional development.
Oversee external communications contractors, consultants, and agency partners as needed.