Responsibilities

• Executes the Executive Team’s strategic direction and alignment of IRUSA’s communications team; collaborates with the Executive Team to identify organizational challenges and spearhead effective solutions.
• Stays highly informed about political developments, international standards for relief and development work, and humanitarian needs around the world and in the United States.
• Manage day-to-day operations of the communications team, establishing key performance indicators (KPIs), editorial workflows, project priorities, and budget priorities under the guidance of the CEAO.
• Serve as the primary communications liaison to internal teams—including Marketing, Fund Development, U. S. Programs, International Programs, etc. — to ensure aligned messaging and timely workflow.
• Effectively engage media sources to promote and highlight IRUSA’s work and impact in the humanitarian sector.
• Develop crisis response protocols, drafting reactive statements, and protecting the organization’s reputation during emergency responses or sensitive situations.
• Research, vet, retain and manage services and relationships with external vendors.
• Identify and propose solutions to challenges and emerging issues faced by IRUSA; work with the senior leadership team and staff to recognize internal and external communication opportunities and solutions; and design and execute appropriate strategies to support them.
• Conduct ongoing evaluation of IRUSA’s communications protocols and recommend improvements as necessary.
• Reporting to upper management about the status of ongoing projects and campaigns to ensure that they are progressing according to schedule and achieving desired results.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in related fields required, Master’s degree in international development, economics, sociology or other relevant disciplines preferred.
• Minimum 7-10 years of experience in communication and media relations in progressively more responsible roles.
• Preferred 3-5 years of direct supervisory experience managing multi-disciplinary communications professionals.
• Mastery of the humanitarian and development sector, media environment, crisis management, and project management.
• Superior management skills; ability to influence and engage direct and indirect reporting staff members, senior management and executive leadership. Demonstrated experience in effectively building, mentoring, and coaching a team of communications and media specialists.
• Demonstrated creativity and effectiveness when utilizing new media technologies and mediums; ability to make decisions in a rapidly changing environment and anticipate future needs.
• Strong project management, and ability to handle multiple tasks and deadlines.
• Must possess excellent interpersonal/oral communications skills, with the ability to communicate skillfully with internal and external stakeholders; must possess effective written communications skills.
• Innovative thinker, with a track record for translating strategic thinking and planning into actionable plans, and output to achieve tangible results. Must exhibit strong analytical and problem solving skills.
• Proven leadership ability and change management facilitation skills.