Communications Account Manager (North Carolina)

ICF Next; Durham (NC); On-site; USD 81,000 - 138,000; Full time

Job summary

ICF Next in North Carolina is seeking a seasoned professional to lead client engagements and drive integrated marketing and outreach campaigns for complex initiatives. The role involves managing cross-functional teams, coordinating with partners, and delivering data-driven results.

You will guide messaging, segmentation, and content development while maintaining strong client relationships and ensuring project success, within a travel-friendly, client-focused environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• 7+ years of experience in account management, project management, communications, marketing, advertising, public outreach, or public involvement.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary client contact, building strong relationships, leading meetings, managing expectations, and ensuring overall client satisfaction.
• Develop and lead integrated marketing, communications, and public outreach strategies aligned to program goals, target audiences, and behavior-change objectives.
• Manage end-to-end campaign execution across multi-channel efforts (digital, media, PR, outreach), ensuring alignment with scope, schedule, and budget.
• Create and oversee detailed project plans, timelines, deliverables, and budgets while managing multiple concurrent initiatives.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams and external partners to ensure seamless delivery.
• Lead development of messaging frameworks, audience segmentation, and content strategies that translate complex initiatives into clear, impactful communications.
• Plan and execute stakeholder engagement and public outreach activities, including community events, public meetings, and partnerships with local organizations.
• Collaborate on media and public relations efforts, including campaign planning, press materials, media coordination, and performance tracking.
• Establish KPIs, monitor campaign performance, and deliver data-driven insights, reporting, and recommendations to clients and leadership.
• Identify risks, solve problems proactively, and continuously optimize campaigns and processes to improve outcomes and efficiency.

Skills

Client relationships

Communication

Presentations

Project leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Description

Please note: This role is contingent upon a contract award. While it is not an immediate opening, we are actively conducting interviews and extending offers in anticipation of the award.

The Work

At ICF Next, we are fearless in finding new ways to solve problems, relentless in making sure it pays off for our clients and committed to making a positive change in the world. Join our community of mission-driven creatives, communicators, strategists, and technologists to challenge the status quo.

Description

Please note: This role is contingent upon a contract award. While it is not an immediate opening, we are actively conducting interviews and extending offers in anticipation of the award.

The Work

At ICF Next, we are fearless in finding new ways to solve problems, relentless in making sure it pays off for our clients and committed to making a positive change in the world. Join our community of mission-driven creatives, communicators, strategists, and technologists to challenge the status quo.

Job Location

Must live in North Carolina area to travel occasionally to the client office.

What You Will Do

• Serve as the primary client contact, building strong relationships, leading meetings, managing expectations, and ensuring overall client satisfaction
• Develop and lead integrated marketing, communications, and public outreach strategies aligned to program goals, target audiences, and behavior-change objectives
• Manage end-to-end campaign execution across multi-channel efforts (digital, media, PR, outreach), ensuring alignment with scope, schedule, and budget
• Create and oversee detailed project plans, timelines, deliverables, and budgets while managing multiple concurrent initiatives
• Coordinate cross-functional teams and external partners (creative, media, research, outreach vendors) to ensure seamless delivery
• Lead development of messaging frameworks, audience segmentation, and content strategies that translate complex initiatives into clear, impactful communications
• Plan and execute stakeholder engagement and public outreach activities, including community events, public meetings, and partnerships with local organizations
• Collaborate on media and public relations efforts, including campaign planning, press materials, media coordination, and performance tracking
• Establish KPIs, monitor campaign performance, and deliver data-driven insights, reporting, and recommendations to clients and leadership
• Identify risks, solve problems proactively, and continuously optimize campaigns and processes to improve outcomes and efficiency

What You Will Bring With You (Required Qualifications)

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field.
• 7+ years of experience in account management, project management, communications, marketing, advertising, public outreach, or public involvement

What We Would Like You To Bring With You (Preferred Qualifications):

• Demonstrated experience managing integrated communications and marketing campaigns from strategy through implementation
• Experience managing multiple projects, budgets, timelines, and stakeholder groups simultaneously
• Experience working with state, local, or federal government agencies
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite
• Experience supporting transportation, infrastructure, transit, traffic safety, Vision Zero, public health, or behavior-change campaigns
• Knowledge of North Carolina transportation programs, demographics, media markets, and stakeholder landscape
• Experience working with North Carolina state agencies, MPOs, RPOs, transit agencies, local governments, or transportation organizations
• Familiarity with Click It or Ticket, Booze It & Lose It, pedestrian safety, bicycle safety, and Vision Zero programs
• Experience managing statewide public awareness and public education campaigns
• Experience developing multilingual, culturally responsive, and equity-focused outreach programs
• Existing relationships with transportation, public safety, media, or community stakeholders within North Carolina or the southeastern United States
• PMP, CAPM, Agile, Scrum, or related project management certification

Professional Skills

• Strong client relationship management and consulting skills.
• Excellent written, verbal, presentation, and facilitation skills.
• Experience leading cross-functional project teams.
• Strong organizational, problem-solving, and project management capabilities.

Bot and Third-Party Applications

Applicants needing an accommodation for disability or religious purposes in connection with the application process should contact [e-mail] for assistance.

Working at ICF

ICF is a global advisory and technology services provider, but we’re not your typical consultants. We combine unmatched expertise with cutting-edge technology to help clients solve their most complex challenges, navigate change, and shape the future.

We can only solve the world's toughest challenges by building a workplace that allows everyone to thrive. We are an equal opportunity employer. Together, our employees are empowered to share their expertise and collaborate with others to achieve personal and professional goals. For more information, please read ourEEO policy.

We will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Reasonable Accommodations are available, including, but not limited to, for disabled veterans, individuals with disabilities, and individuals with sincerely held religious beliefs, in all phases of the application and employment process. To request an accommodation, please [e-mail] we will be happy to assist. All information you provide will be kept confidential and will be used only to the extent required to provide needed reasonable accommodations.

Read more aboutworkplacediscriminationrights or our benefit offerings which are included in theTransparency in (Benefits) Coverage Act.

Candidate AI Usage Policy

At ICF, we are committed to ensuring a fair interview process for all candidates based on their own skills and knowledge. As part of this commitment, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools to generate or assist with responses during interviews (whether in-person or virtual) is not permitted. This policy is in place to maintain the integrity and authenticity of the interview process.

However, we understand that some candidates may require accommodation that involves the use of AI. If such an accommodation is needed, candidates are instructed to contact us in advance [e-mail]. We are dedicated to providing the necessary support to ensure that all candidates have an equal opportunity to succeed.

Pay Range

There are multiple factors that are considered in determining final pay for a position, including, but not limited to, relevant work experience, skills, certifications and competencies that align to the specified role, geographic location, education and certifications as well as contract provisions regarding labor categories that are specific to the position.

The pay range for this position based on full-time employment is:

$81,111.00 - $137,889.00

N Carolina Remote Office (NC99)