Position Description:

Plan works for girls’ rights. Harmful barriers like child marriage, human trafficking and gender-based violence are preventing girls and young women from achieving their full potential. Plan, along with government and private partners, fights against harmful gender norms and empowers young people to create positive change in their communities. We have worked in communities for more than 80 years and provide locally-driven programming through 240 offices around the world.

Plan International USA is fully committed to the safeguarding of all children and young people from all forms of violence.

The Communications Manager is an integral part of the Communications team at Plan. In collaboration with the leaders of the design and events teams, the Communications Manager will help to manage the execution of Plan’s external voice and written brand. This position will serve as the organization’s managing editor and support media relations and thought leadership efforts.

Essential Functions:

Writing and messaging strategy (40%)

• Supports the Director of Communications and Creative Services in shaping the U.S. office’s brand through participation in decision making and execution.
• Serve as quality control for content by reviewing all drafts of external communication, in collaboration with the Art Director, providing constructive and timely feedback. This includes approximately 600 assets annually for print, web and other digital collateral.
• Create content and fulfill requests for Plan’s internal clients, supporting a wide variety of teams throughout the organization and serving as the lead account manager to several key teams.
• Work with internal clients to consult, ideate, design and revise web and print materials as ordered, delivering a satisfying customer experience along with excellent writing that serves both the client and the needs of the brand.
• Coordinate organizational strategy for key moments in time (i.e., International Day of the Girl, International Women’s Day) across all of Plan’s segments in collaboration with relationship owners to create “the big idea,” key messages, align goals and track progress.
• Oversee Plan’s technical newsletter, Insights, by co-developing content ideas with experts, editing contributions, building and distributing material via email software and finding other avenues to highlight thought leadership.
• Coordinate service agreements with external copy editors.

Public and Media Relations (30%)

• Collaborate with the Director of Communication and Creative Services and any supporting agencies on media and public relations initiatives, to include:
  1. Manage the newsroom on Plan’s website.
  2. Provide media tracking and reporting on a regular and ah-hoc basis.
  3. Actively seek opportunities for Plan to showcase its work in media.
  4. Creating media lists for specific types of outreach.
• Manage several yearly projects such as the annual review, compliance documents and working with the Finance team on elements of our tax filing.
• Audit and ensure Plan’s logo and vision statement are up-to-date on external platforms that either feature Plan or where we are a member on a yearly basis.
• Participate in supporting Plan’s policy and advocacy work, and our work with young people through a variety of forums.
• Work closely with the Senior Manager for Events and Community Engagement, as well as teams throughout the organization to identify and execute thought leadership opportunities for staff members from the Executive Office to technical experts. Support conferences and events in-person, as needed.

Management and administration (30%)

• Manage the Communication team’s Senior Writer and support this person’s day-to-day work, as well as professional development.
• Execute an efficient workflow process in a fast-paced environment, including transparent and proactive communications on schedules and timelines. This includes assign projects to team members, balancing workloads and monitoring busyness levels.
• In partnership with the Art Director, provide semiannual reports on the efficiency of the team, as well as analysis on how the team’s efforts are aligning with the priorities of the organization as a whole.
• Manage the team’s Monday.com account, in partnership with the Art Director, optimizing the platform for efficiency and accuracy by utilizing automations and other features.
• Support the team’s client feedback mechanism and assist with identifying positive trends and areas for improvement.
• Ensure the Communications team delivers smart, well-written materials and content, and ensuring they are on strategy, brand, budget and schedule.

Skills and Competencies:

• Strong ability to generate creative approaches and processes that align with best practices and internal client needs in order to increase the efficacy of Plan’s efforts.
• Excellent communication, planning, time-management and follow-through skills.
• Excellent writing skills with an understanding of AP and Chicago styles.
• Ability to problem-solving and work collaboratively.
• Demonstrate an understand of diversity, equity and inclusion best practices in storytelling and related communications.
• Ability to maintain a high level of poise and professionalism.
• Believe passionately in Plan USA’s vision and values and have a strong interest in international development.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in related field, or commensurate experience.
• At least five years of experience on a communications team or in a related capacity.
• Personal management experience preferred.
• Familiarity with project management, word press, email and media relations platforms or software.
• Familiarity with writing for digital platforms and print materials.
• Strong interest in international development, with a preference for experience in the sector.
• Curiosity, an interest in continual learning, a sense of humor and a willingness to try new ideas are essential.

Other Duties

This job description does not contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time.

Plan is an equal opportunity employer and follows all laws associated with the EEOC.