Strategic Communications Manager
Description
Working at Envision means having a job that’s more than just a way to make money. It's a job that makes a difference.
We offer team members:
- Careers with purpose
- Teamwork environment
- Amazing 401K Retirement Plan
- Envision Paid Life Insurance
- Medical, Dental, Vision, FSA Plans
- 10 Paid Holidays
- PTO & Vacation
- Tuition Reimbursement
POSITION SUMMARY:
The Strategic Communications Manager supports the development, execution, and management of enterprise-wide communications that advance Envision’s mission, elevate brand clarity, and strengthen engagement with donors, partners, participants, customers and employees. This role serves as the organization’s primary writer, storyteller, and editorial lead, ensuring message consistency across programs, departments, and initiatives.
This position owns day to day message development, editorial planning, donor and program communications, and external communications execution, including media relations and earned media. The Strategic Communications Manager also plays a key role in shaping and refining communication frameworks, tools, and processes that make it easier for the organization to communicate clearly, consistently, and at scale over time.
The role collaborates closely with design, digital, development, sales, and mission services teams to ensure communications are aligned, accessible, and strategically sequenced. The Strategic Communications Manager will also oversee outsourced partners for PR, long-form writing, and /or thought leadership placement, and operates with a high degree of judgment and autonomy as the primary owner of external communications.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
- Strategic Partner & Deputy to Sr. Director
- Serve as the Sr. Director’s primary strategic partner and second-in-command for communications. Step into leadership support roles when needed, help operationalize strategic direction, and ensure alignment across all messaging, PR, and organizational communications functions.
- Enterprise Messaging & Editorial Leadership
- Develop and maintain consistent message architecture, editorial standards, and key narrative frameworks across Envision’s programs, donor audiences, commercial relationships, and community initiatives. Serve as the primary guardian of Envision’s brand voice in written communications, ensuring tone, language, and messaging remain aligned with brand guidelines.
- Content Development & Writing
- Write and edit high-quality content, including but not limited to press releases, donor newsletters, program communications, campaign messaging, web copy, speeches, and impact stories.
- Donor & Program Communications
- Lead message planning and narrative development for donor engagement, including but not limited to newsletters, impact updates, stewardship touchpoints, and campaign communications. Support program areas with consistent messaging in participant- and partner-facing communications.
- Communications Planning
- Develop strategic communication plans for organizational initiatives, programs, campaigns, leadership priorities, and mission-driven efforts. Build sequencing, audience mapping, messaging frameworks, and channel strategies to support enterprise-wide communication needs. Ensure plans are actionable, cross-functional, and aligned with brand standards.
- Cross-Functional Communications Support
- Serve as the primary communications partner for departments across Envision. Translate complex program information into clear, accessible messaging aligned to brand standards.
- Campaign & Initiative Support
- Collaborate with marketing, digital, and design team to develop messaging for integrated campaigns, major initiatives, community events, and organizational announcements.
- PR, Media Relations & Earned Media Execution
- Own day-to-day media relations and earned media execution in alignment with Marketing & Communications leadership. Proactively identify story opportunities, draft and distribute press releases, manage media outreach, and coordinate interviews. Maintain media lists, talking points, and media kits. Partner with outsourced PR resources as needed to extend reach and placement. Support executive visibility and thought leadership placement.
- Communication Systems & Processes
- Help develop, document, and continuously improve communication workflows, frameworks, briefs, intake processes, and editorial calendars to increase efficiency, clarity, and consistency across the organization. Partner with the Sr. Director to test and refine new communication tools and operating practices that support scalable, repeatable communication.
- Vendor Partnership Oversight
- Direct and quality-check outsourced writing, PR, and thought leadership partners to ensure alignment with brand voice, priorities, and organizational goals.
- Other Duties as Assigned
- Flexibility to support additional strategic communication needs based on organizational priorities.
Qualifications
JOB REQUIREMENTS
Education: Bachelor’s degree in communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Marketing, or a related field required. Master’s degree preferred.
Experience: 7+ years of progressive experience in communications, public relations, strategic content development, or editorial roles. Must include demonstrated experience developing and executing integrated communication plans and supporting senior leadership on strategic initiatives. Experience in nonprofit, mission driven, or complex multi audience organizations strongly preferred.
Knowledge/Skills:
- Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling skills with a portfolio demonstrating range and versatility, including experience writing in and maintaining a consistent brand voice across multiple channels and audiences.
- Strong understanding of communications strategy, narrative development, and editorial planning.
- Knowledge of media relations practices (writing releases, managing inquiries, collaborating with PR partners).
- Ability to synthesize complex information and craft messaging for donors, partners, program participants, and community audiences.
- Familiarity with digital channels, CMS platforms (WordPress), email marketing tools and analytics (in partnership with digital marketing team).
- Strong project management and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
- High attention to detail, accuracy, and brand consistence.
- Experience with integrated communications and marketing, including an understanding of how paid, earned, shared, and owned channels work together strategically to support campaigns, organizational priorities, and audience engagement.
- Ability to collaborate across diverse teams, handle sensitive communication needs, and maintain confidentiality.
Licenses/Certifications: NA
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
Total Number of Employees Directly Supervising: __0-2__
Number of Subordinate Supervisors Reporting to Position: __0__
VISION REQUIREMENTS INCLUDE
Can be performed with or without assistive technology:
_X_ Required to perform activities such as: preparing/analyzing data/figures; viewing a computer screen; reading; inspecting small objects for defects; using measuring devices; and/or assembling parts with close eye contact.
___Required to perform activities such as: operating machinery and/or power tools at or within arm’s reach; performing non-repetitive tasks such as carpentry work or repairing machinery.
_X_ Required to review/inspect own assigned work, the work of others, or facilities or structures.
Requires normal (or corrected to normal) vision/acuity:
___ Required to operate motor vehicles and/or heavy equipment such as forklifts.
“To improve the quality of life and provide inspiration and opportunity for people who are blind or visually impaired through employment, outreach, rehabilitation, education and research."
Envisions Core Values are the authentic, unwavering principals that define and support our culture.
- Integrity
- Curiosity
- Passion
- Initiative
- Teamwork
- Excellence
COMMENTS
Envision, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without illegal discrimination because of race, color, sex, age, gender identity, disability, religion, citizenship, national origin, ancestry, military status or veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, domestic violence victim status, predisposing genetic characteristics and genetic information, and any other status protected by law.
Envision employs and advances in employment individuals with disabilities and veterans, and treats qualified individuals without discrimination on the basis of their physical or mental disability or veteran status.
Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
This position description is intended to convey generally the duties of this job. It is not an all-inclusive listing of duties, and it is not a contract, expressed or implied.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS INCLUDE
In an average workday, employee must:
Task
None
Occasional
Frequent
Constant
Stand
X
Walk
X
Sit
X
Bend/stoop
X
Climb
X
Reach above shoulders
X
Squat/crouch/kneel
X
Push/pull
X
Lift
X
Usual amount
X <10 lbs
11-25 lbs
26-50 lbs
51+ lbs
Carry
X
Usual amount
X <10 lbs
11-25 lbs
26-50 lbs
51+ lbs
Employee must use hands for repetitive action such as:
Task
Right
Hand
Left
Hand
Simple grasping
X Yes
X Yes
Firm grasping
X
No
X
No
Fine manipulation
X Yes
X Yes
WORKING CONDITIONS INCLUDE
In an average workday, employee is exposed to:
Task
None
Occasional
Frequent
Constant
General shop or store conditions
X
General office environment
X
Humid, extreme hot/cold temps (non-weather)
X
Outdoor weather conditions
X
Fumes or airborne particles
X
Fluorescent lights
X
Moving, mechanical parts
X
Toxic chemicals
X
Loud noise intensity levels
X
Risk of electrical shock
X
Travel for job
X