Communications Specialist, Build Freedom

IACMI – The Composites Institute; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

IACMI – The Composites Institute is seeking a Communications Specialist for Build Freedom to lead content creation, storytelling, and digital communications. The role focuses on translating workforce initiatives into engaging narratives across students, educators, industry leaders, policymakers, and the public.

The successful candidate will be a strong writer and visual storyteller who travels to sites, creates multimedia content, manages CMS and social channels, and shapes a nationwide

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, marketing, public relations, digital media, or related field OR equivalent professional experience
• 3–6 years of professional communications, media, marketing, or content creation experience
• Strong writing and editing skills
• Photography and video editing experience
• Experience creating multimedia content for digital platforms
• Ability to manage projects independently from concept to execution
• Willingness to travel regularly
• Experience with social media management platforms

Responsibilities

• Content Creation & Storytelling: Travel to sites to capture photos, videos, interviews, and field content
• Produce short-form videos, social media content, feature stories, testimonials, and promotional assets
• Write and edit copy for websites, newsletters, social media, press releases, presentations, and reports
• Help shape and maintain Build Freedom voice and narrative
• Digital Communications: Manage and publish content across digital and social channels
• Assist with website updates using WordPress or similar CMS
• Develop and maintain content calendars
• Monitor analytics and engagement performance
• Campaign & Communications Support: Support campaigns tied to workforce development and national events in TX, MI and PA
• Coordinate with teams/agencies on messaging
• Assist with earned media efforts
• Project Management: Manage multiple content projects and deadlines
• Support reporting requirements for stakeholders and funders

Skills

Writing & editing

Photography

Video editing

Multimedia content

Travel willingness

Social media management

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

Tools

Adobe Creative Suite

Canva

WordPress CMS

Job description

Communications Specialist, Build Freedom

Job posted September 14, 2026

Reports To:

Workforce Communications Manager

Location:

Michigan or Texas preferred (remote)

Eligible candidates must reside in TN, MI, OH, IN, FL, WV, NC, TX or PA

Travel:

Approximately 15–25%

Salary Range:

$65,000–$75,000 annually (commensurate with experience)

ABOUT IACMI

The Institute for Advanced Composites Manufacturing Innovation, or IACMI – The Composites Institute® is focused on strengthening U.S. manufacturing competitiveness through innovation, workforce development, and advanced materials. Based in Knoxville, Tennessee, IACMI brings together nearly 200 industry, academic, and government partners to accelerate advanced manufacturing technologies and develop the next generation of skilled workers. Established in 2015 by the U.S. Department of Energy, IACMI is part of the Manufacturing USA® network of institutes working to secure America’s global leadership in advanced manufacturing. Since 2019, IACMI has scaled up workforce programs for the U.S. Department of War (DoW), formerly Department of Defense. IACMI is supported in part by the Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment (IBAS) program within the Innovation Capability and Modernization (ICAM) office.

This position supports our workforce development efforts through our ACE and METAL programs.

POSITION SUMMARY

IACMI is seeking a creative, highly skilled Communications Specialist to lead content creation, storytelling, and digital communications for Build Freedom and related workforce initiatives.

This role will focus heavily on developing compelling content that captures the energy, people, technology, and national importance of modern manufacturing workforce development. The successful candidate will help translate complex workforce and industrial initiatives into engaging stories that resonate with students, educators, industry leaders, policymakers, and the public.

The ideal candidate is a strong writer, visual storyteller, and strategic communicator who thrives in dynamic environments and enjoys creating content with real-world impact.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Content Creation & Storytelling

• Travel to workforce training sites, schools, manufacturing facilities, conferences, and partner events to capture photos, videos, interviews, and field content
• Create scalable communications strategy for rapid growth across the country
• Conduct interviews with students, instructors, industry leaders, and workforce partners
• Produce short-form videos, social media content, feature stories, testimonials, and promotional assets
• Write and edit compelling copy for websites, newsletters, social media, press releases, presentations, and reports
• Help shape and maintain a strong, consistent Build Freedom voice and narrative

Digital Communications

• Manage and publish content across digital and social media channels
• Assist with website updates and content organization through WordPress or similar CMS platforms
• Develop and maintain content calendars aligned with campaigns, milestones, and events
• Monitor analytics and engagement performance to improve content strategy

Campaign & Communications Support

• Support communications campaigns tied to workforce development, manufacturing awareness, student recruitment, and national events in Texas, Michigan and Pennsylvania
• Coordinate with internal teams, agencies, and external partners on messaging and content opportunities
• Assist with earned media efforts and partner communications initiatives

Project Management

• Manage multiple concurrent content projects and deadlines
• Support communications reporting requirements for stakeholders and funders

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, marketing, public relations, digital media, or related field OR equivalent professional experience
• 3–6 years of professional communications, media, marketing, or content creation experience
• Strong writing and editing skills
• Photography and video editing experience
• Experience creating multimedia content for digital platforms
• Ability to manage projects independently from concept to execution
• Willingness to travel regularly
• Experience with social media management platforms

Preferred

• Experience in manufacturing, workforce development, education, or STEM-related industries
• Familiarity with Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, or similar creative tools
• Experience supporting federal or grant-funded initiatives

IDEAL CANDIDATE

The ideal candidate is:

• A strong storyteller with excellent creative instincts
• Comfortable behind both the camera and the keyboard
• Strategic, curious, and highly collaborative

  The Institute for Advanced Composites Manufacturing Innovation, or IACMI – The Composites Institute® is focused on strengthening U.S. manufacturing competitiveness through innovation, workforce development, and advanced materials. IACMI brings together nearly 200 industry, academic, and government partners to accelerate advanced manufacturing technologies and products, and develop the next generation of skilled workers. Established in 2015 by the U.S. Department of Energy, IACMI is part of the Manufacturing USA® network of institutes working to secure America’s global leadership in advanced manufacturing. Since 2019, IACMI has scaled up workforce programs for the U.S. Department of War (DoW), formerly Department of Defense. IACMI is supported by the Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment (IBAS) program within the Innovation Capability and Modernization (ICAM) office. Based in Knoxville, Tennessee, IACMI is managed by the Collaborative Composite Solutions Corporation, a not-for-profit organization established by The University of Tennessee Research Foundation.