Vice President, Strategic Engagement & Communications

The Manufacturing Institute - MI; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 152,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

The Manufacturing Institute seeks a strategic, entrepreneurial Vice President, Strategic Engagement & Communications to lead and integrate MI’s communications across marketing, brand positioning, and executive communications. You will shape nationally recognized messaging, elevate leadership narratives, and align priorities with MI programs and partnerships.

Reporting to the President, you will collaborate with NAM leaders, manage an integrated team, and drive strategic storytelling to advance

Qualifications

• 12+ years of progressively responsible communications, marketing, public affairs or external relations experience.
• Experience in association, nonprofit, workforce development, education or manufacturing environment preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and execute integrated communications strategies that advance organizational priorities.
• Strong track record of managing multiple portfolios with long-term objectives and urgent opportunities.
• Exceptional writer and editor with experience producing high-impact content.
• Experience advising senior executives and translating complex issues into digestible communications.
• Strong media relations judgment and coordination with stakeholders.
• Ability to manage complex projects independently and deliver high-quality work under deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute an integrated communications strategy that advances the MI’s mission, priorities, and objectives.
• Build and lead an integrated communications function across content, executive communications, marketing, media relations, and digital.
• Develop and drive the MI’s marketing strategy to strengthen positioning and awareness.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen the MI's reputation as the national leader in manufacturing workforce development.
• Plan and execute communications, including message architecture, rollout planning and audience materials.

Skills

Communications

Marketing

Public affairs

External relations

Leadership

Writing

Project management

Job description

The Manufacturing Institute (MI) aims to build and strengthen the manufacturing workforce for individual opportunity, community prosperity, and a competitive manufacturing industry for the future. Through our vision to ensure a manufacturing workforce resilient to the challenges and prepared for the opportunities of the 21st century, the MI’s initiatives support all American workers through skilled training programs, community building and career growth. As the 501(c)3 nonprofit workforce development and education affiliate of the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), the MI is a trusted adviser to manufacturers, equipping them with resources necessary to solve the industry’s toughest challenges.

Position Overview:

The Manufacturing Institute is seeking a strategic, entrepreneurial and highly collaborative Vice President, Strategic Engagement & Communications in a new role created to lead and integrate the MI’s communications function across marketing, brand positioning, enterprise-wide messaging, stakeholder communications, media relations and executive communications functions.

Reporting to the President of the Manufacturing Institute, this senior role will develop, shape and strengthen the MI’s brand awareness, narrative and communications strategy, ensuring the Institute’s mission, programs, research, partnerships and impact are clearly positioned for priority audiences, including manufacturers, philanthropic entities, workforce organizations, economic development and educational entities, policymakers, partners, media and internal stakeholders.

The Vice President will serve as the senior communications strategist within the MI’s leadership team, translating the MI's strategic priorities into compelling narratives, identifying opportunities to elevate the Institute's national leadership and ensuring communications efforts reinforce the organization's mission, reputation, and long‑term goals. This position will work closely with the MI’s affiliate, the NAM’s strategic communications leads as well as the MI program leaders to align priorities, elevate the MI’s national workforce leadership, support fundraising and partner engagement.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and execute an integrated communications strategy that advances the MI’s mission, strategic priorities, and organizational objectives.
• Build and lead an integrated communications function across content, executive communications, marketing, media relations, and digital communications.
• Develop and drive the MI’s marketing strategy to strengthen organizational positioning and increase awareness of the MI’s impact and capabilities.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen the MI's reputation as the national leader in manufacturing workforce development and education.
• Develop and lead a comprehensive partner and funder communications strategy in close collaboration with the VP of Partnerships & Philanthropy and MI leadership, ensuring all stewardship, recognition, and impact communications reinforce the value and outcomes of partner engagement.
• Collaborate with the NAM’s Strategic Communications team to set the MI’s media strategy and coordinate with them on proactive media engagement, message development, publication rollouts, rapid response and opportunities to amplify MI priorities.
• Manage the MI’s editorial strategy across all channels to maximize reach, amplify priorities, and ensure brand alignment.
• Oversee the MI’s Content Team to translate program outcomes, research findings, convenings, employer engagement and workforce solutions into high-impact content.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for the MI with the NAM’s strategic communications team to support integrated planning and ensure the MI’s work is appropriately reflected in broader NAM reports, speeches, campaigns, events and external communications.
• Plan and execute communications, including but not limited to, message architecture, rollout planning, stakeholder alignment and audience‑specific materials.
• Maintain awareness of workforce, manufacturing, education, labor market, media and policy trends to identify opportunities for relevant insights and thought leadership.
• Establish communications planning, governance and decision‑making processes that improve coordination, prioritization and organizational impact.

The above list of responsibilities represents the position and is not intended to limit or preclude other duties and tasks that may be associated with or added to the position.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Directly supervise the Director of the MI’s Workforce Content Team, providing strategic direction, performance management, coaching and professional development.
• Oversee external communications contractors, consultants and agency partners as needed.

Qualifications:

• 12+ years of progressively responsible communications, marketing, public affairs or external relations experience;
• Experience working in an association, nonprofit, workforce development, education or manufacturing environment preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and execute integrated communications strategies that advance organizational priorities, shape narratives and reach multiple audiences.
• Strong track record of managing multiple portfolios simultaneously, balancing long‑term strategic objectives with immediate, high‑priority opportunities.
• Exceptional writer and editor, with experience producing high‑impact content, remarks, op‑eds, donor communications, briefing materials and public‑facing content.
• Experience advising senior executives and translating complex issues into digestible communications.
• Strong media relations judgment and ability to coordinate proactive and responsive communications in partnership with internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to manage complex projects independently, balance competing priorities and deliver high‑quality work under deadlines.

And finally, it's essential that you have...

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills. Relationships are important; this role will build, support and strengthen relationships with staff, partners, donors, media and other stakeholders.
• A team‑oriented attitude with a developed customer service focus. The MI’s work is collaborative and often shaped through relationships across the organization and with external partners.
• Sound judgment, discretion and a commitment to producing accurate, high‑impact communications that reflect the MI’s mission and values.

Salary Range:

$152,000 - $210,000 annually. This salary range represents a good faith estimate of the lowest to the highest salary for this position. The final salary offered will be based on qualifications and experience.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Manufacturing Institute is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affimative Action employer that is committed to inclusion and diversity. We welcome and celebrate everyone’s uniqueness here at the MI. We provide equal opportunities to individuals regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, genetic information, political views or activity, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.

We also consider qualified applicants with conviction histories, consistent with applicable federal, state and local law. At the MI, we believe in Second Chances! The MI is committed to offering equal employment opportunities to ALL. We only require that you have the qualifications, talent and passion to be successful in your role.

The MI is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at [e-mail].

By joining the MI, you become part of a spirited and dynamic team that is driven to succeed. We recognize and reward our staff with competitive pay and annual performance‑based bonus programs. We offer an outstanding benefits package that includes health, dental, and vision insurance, life, short‑term and long‑term disability, flexible spending accounts, SmarTrip, and a 401(k) Salary Deferral plan with employer match and contributions, vacation, and sick leave, and more. Become part of a fast‑paced team passionate about keeping the United States the world leader in manufacturing.