Communications Manager

Counterpart International; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Counterpart International is seeking an entrepreneurial Communications Manager to lead digital engagement and storytelling across donor-facing, programmatic, and public channels. You will translate field impact into compelling content for donors, partners, and the public, spanning web, social media, email, video, and print.

The role requires a versatile generalist who can draft donor narratives, manage calendars, and collaborate with program teams worldwide, in a fast-paced, build-from-scratch

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, marketing, international relations, or a related field.
• 5–7 years of professional experience in communications, digital engagement, or storytelling.
• Demonstrated passion for social impact and global development work.
• Excellent writing and editing skills for donors, media, and the public.
• Hands-on experience with CMS, social tools, and email platforms (e.g., Mailchimp).
• Entrepreneurial, generalist mindset with ability to work with lean teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead digital storytelling strategy across website, social media, email, and video.
• Draft and edit donor communications, funder reports, newsletters, and annual report.
• Manage and grow Counterpart’s social media and editorial calendar.
• Source stories, photos, and video from field work for content.
• Support media relations and coordinate with external partners.
• Maintain brand and messaging consistency across materials.
• Manage relationships with vendors and consultants (designers, videographers).
• Track metrics and report on engagement to inform strategy.

Skills

Digital storytelling

Editing/writing

Social media management

Project management

Content management systems

Mailchimp

Graphic design basics

Cross-functional collaboration

Story sourcing

Education

Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, marketing, or related field

Tools

Content management systems

Social media tools

Email marketing platforms

Job description

Counterpart International helps people build better lives and more durable futures, community by community. We equip individuals, organizations, and communities—our counterparts—to create solutions in their own families, communities, regions, and countries. We work with them in some of the world’s most challenging places to tackle social, economic, environmental, health, and governance issues that undermine their futures.

For more information on Counterpart, please visit our website at www.counterpart.org.

Summary

Counterpart International is seeking an entrepreneurial, well-rounded Communications Manager to lead digital engagement and storytelling across the organization’s philanthropic, programmatic, and public-facing channels. Reporting to the Senior Director, Philanthropic Partnerships, this role will translate Counterpart’s field-based impact into compelling content for donors, partners, and the general public—spanning web, social media, email, video, and print. The ideal candidate is a versatile generalist who thrives in a fast-paced, build-it-from-scratch environment, is equally comfortable drafting a donor-facing narrative and managing a social content calendar, and brings a genuine passion for impact-driven communications.

Responsibilities

• Lead digital storytelling strategy across Counterpart’s website, social media, email, and video channels, translating program impact into content for donors, partners, and the public.
• Draft and edit a wide range of materials, including donor communications, funder reports, concept notes, newsletters, blog posts, and the annual report.
• Manage and grow Counterpart’s social media presence, developing an editorial calendar and tracking engagement metrics to refine strategy.
• Partner with program teams and field staff to source stories, photos, and video from Counterpart’s work around the world.
• Support media relations and public-facing events, including drafting press materials and coordinating with external partners.
• Maintain brand and messaging consistency across all external-facing communications and materials.
• Manage relationships with outside vendors and consultants, including designers, videographers, and web developers.
• Track and report on communications and digital engagement metrics to inform strategy and demonstrate impact.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, marketing, international relations, or a related field.
• 5–7 years of professional experience in communications, digital engagement, or storytelling.
• Demonstrated passion for social impact and global development work.
• Exceptional writing and editing skills, with the ability to adapt tone and content for diverse audiences, including donors, media, and the general public.
• Hands‑on experience managing digital platforms and tools, such as content management systems, social media management tools, and email marketing platforms (e.g., Mailchimp).
• An entrepreneurial, generalist mindset; comfortable building processes from the ground up and wearing multiple hats on a lean team.
• Strong project management skills, with the ability to juggle multiple priorities and deadlines independently.
• Basic graphic design and/or video editing skills (e.g., Canva, Adobe Creative Suite) strongly preferred.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work cross‑functionally with program, fundraising, and leadership teams.
• Willingness and ability to travel internationally, as needed.