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Communications Manager

Job Description:

TITLE: Communications Manager
 
REPORTING TO: Director, Office of Public Information
 
LOCATION:  Washington, D.C.
 
SALARY: Depends on qualifications and experience
 
ASSIGNMENT LENGTH: Indefinite 
 
POSITION SUMMARY: The Population Council confronts critical health and development issues – from stopping the spread of HIV to improving reproductive health and ensuring that young people lead full and productive lives. Through biomedical, social science and public health research in 50 countries, we work with our partners to deliver solutions that lead to more effective policies, programs and technologies that improve lives around the world.
 
The Communications Manager plays a critical role on the Communications team, and is responsible for demonstrating leadership within the department and advancing the Council’s communications goals. This work includes strategic communications planning and implementation, public affairs engagement, media outreach, conference and event strategies and maintaining strong relationships with partners. 
 
The ideal candidate is enthusiastic and hard-working, has solid knowledge of the global health and development landscape and strong relationships with relevant influencers and coalitions in Washington, DC and New York, NY. S/he has excellent oral, written, interpersonal and organizational skills, and 6-8 years related experience in communications management or public relations. The Communications Manager reports to the Director of the Office of Public Information. 
 
RESPONSIBILITIES: 
 
1. Conceptualize and implement strategic communications campaigns that increase the visibility of the Population Council’s research through leadership among key external audiences.
 
2. Create opportunities to highlight the Council’s research and through leadership in print, broadcast, and electronic media. Build and maintain relationships with key reporters covering our issues and secure high-level media coverage.
 
3. Demonstrate leadership in key Washington, DC-based; global health and development communications and public affairs coalitions and partnerships; represent the Council at key events.
 
4. Create and execute a strategy for using events and professional conferences to advance the Council’s thought leadership among target audiences; organize and oversee the success of Council speaking opportunities, conference communications, events, and exhibits.
 
5. Ensure timely preparation of high quality communications materials including but not limited to press releases, op-eds, fact sheets, website content, blog posts, white papers, speeches, and talking points. Perform research and analysis using a variety of resources to develop appropriate messages and products.
 
6. Develop content for social networking sites; collaborate with other Council communications managers and online communications manager on coordinated strategy and protocols for content placement.
 
7. Serve as Council spokesperson, as needed.
 
8. Monitor and provide accurate assessments of external developments and proactively provide strategic information to internal stakeholders about implications of or opportunities for Council communications.
 
9. Build and maintain strong relationships with key program and country office staff and with colleagues in the communications, publications, and development departments to facilitate information sharing and collaboration.
 
10. Provide leadership and support to communicators in the Council’s country offices to ensure strategic and coordinated communications efforts across the Council.
 
11. Develop and implement crisis communications plans, as needed.
 
QUALIFICATIONS: 
 
1. Bachelor’s degree required
 
2. 6-8 years related experience in communications management/public relations
 
3. Proven track record of developing and implementing successful communications strategies and social media campaigns for comparable programs or organizations
 
4. Strong working knowledge of the global health and development landscape in Washington, DC; strong relationships with relevant partner organizations and coalitions in DC.
 
5. Excellent written, oral, and interpersonal skills; superior attention to detail
 
6. Ability to synthesize complex technical issues and data into language that is accessible and compelling to external audiences
 
7. Ability to think strategically, set priorities and manage concurrent projects, handle pressure, manage time effectively, exercise independent judgment and assume responsibility for seeing projects through to timely and successful completion
 
8. Self-motivated; willingness to work independently and as part of a team
 
9. Strong command of Microsoft Office
 
10. Experience in a nonprofit environment and demonstrated interest in international development, reproductive health, and/or HIV
 
11. Willingness to travel – domestic and international (20% or less)
 
The Population Council is an international, nonprofit, nongovernmental institution that seeks to improve the well-being and reproductive health of current and future generations around the world and to help achieve a humane, equitable, and sustainable balance between people and resources. The Council conducts biomedical, social science, and public health research and helps build research capacities in developing countries. Established in 1952, the Council is governed by an international board of trustees. Its New York headquarters supports a global network of country offices. We are seeking an individual to fill the position described. If you know of a qualified candidate or are interested in this position, please apply at: