Responsibilities

• Manage a team of communications professionals, fostering a culture of excellence, customer service and accountability to ensure high-quality, reliable, and timely execution of deliverables against the annual plan and in support of IIE’s communication strategy.
• Support the development of IIE’s organizational communications strategy and identify strategic communication needs in support of Business Development, Philanthropy, Research Evaluation and Learning, Higher Ed Initiatives, and Program teams. Direct creation of collateral and print materials to support business needs.
• Lead annual planning process, setting objectives, timelines, performance metrics, and developing systems to advance the impact of IIE’s work both internally and externally. The annual plan consists of a monthly calendar of campaigns and deliverables across multiple platforms including social media, web, video and traditional print.
• Provide communications support and craft executive messaging for the CEO and the Senior Leadership team, including digital content, talking points, and written materials.
• Support the COS and the Office of the CEO with crisis communications, managing strategy, messaging, and execution during sensitive or high-stakes situations.
• Oversee departmental operations including technology solutions and departmental budgets.
• Project manage major collaborative communications initiatives, including Open Doors rollout, and other significant program or organizational milestones. Set performance standards and metrics. Review and approve IIE communications materials. Provide oversight of visual content and brand integrity, managing designers and vendors on major campaigns.
• Develop and manage publicity plans to elevate the humanitarian impact of IIE initiatives such as the IIE Scholar Rescue Fund and the Odyssey Scholarship Program.
• Oversee the IIE website to educate the public about the value of IIE as a leader in international education and as a trusted partner in developing and implementing exchange programs.
• Strategically disseminate programmatic information on the website and ensure risk and reputation management.
• Provide communications training to IIE team members for attendance at conferences, managing individual program social media platforms, development and publication of newsletters and blogs
• Develop and execute an annual plan to drive staff engagement, including in-person and virtual activities, large scale events, information sessions and small group discussions with staff and leadership

Requirements

• Requires a Bachelor's degree and at least eight years of related work experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 8–10 years of progressive experience in strategic communications, journalism, and/or public relations, preferably within higher education, international education, or nonprofit organizations, with demonstrated leadership of complex communications functions.
• Expertise in digital communications ecosystems, including social media platforms, strong understanding of integrated, multichannel communications strategies that drive audience engagement and organizational influence.
• Experience producing and overseeing multimedia and multichannel content, including video, web, social, email, and publications
• Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling skills, with the ability to produce high-impact content across formats—including long-form thought leadership, executive communications, reports, and concise, platform-optimized social media—under tight deadlines.
• Demonstrated proficiency in translating complex quantitative and qualitative data into clear, audience-centric messaging; experience using data visualization techniques to enhance comprehension and impact.
• Strong command of communications analytics and performance measurement, including use of tools (e.g., Google Analytics, social media insights, CRM platforms) to assess campaign effectiveness, inform strategy, and optimize content.
• Proven experience managing high-performing, cross-functional teams, 5 years of managerial experience preferred
• Demonstrated experience with stewardship of institutional messaging during periods of ambiguity
• Demonstrated ability to support senior leadership, providing content options, executive messaging support and visuals/collateral
• Project management capabilities, including planning and executing complex, cross-functional communications initiatives; ability to manage competing priorities, allocate resources effectively, and deliver results under pressure.
• Work samples required: Please provide a website URL or PDF portfolio demonstrating writing samples, communications campaigns, and/or digital content aligned with the scope of this role.

Nice to have

• 5 years of managerial experience preferred

Benefits

• IIE offers a robust suite of benefits to team members including medical, dental, and vision plans, paid time off and holidays, student loan, tuition and professional development reimbursement programs, retirement plans and a family medical leave benefits. Please visit our careers page for further details.