Communications Manager

Reports to:        Vice President of Global Partnerships

Location:           Syracuse, NY (with flexible working arrangements)

Type:                 Full-time

Travel:               1 – 2 International trips/year; domestic travel for events as needed

Salary Range:    82k – 95k USD

Created on:       April 2026

Position Overview

As a core member of the Global Partnerships team—integrating Communications, Fundraising, and Business Development—the Communications Manager serves as NEF’s central focal point for all communications. The role leads the development and implementation of a coherent, strategic communications approach that strengthens NEF’s visibility, positioning, and engagement with key audiences, including donors, partners, and the public. This is a hands-on position where the role will be creating content and writing comms materials.

The role plays a critical enabling function in resource mobilization by ensuring the production of high-quality, compelling communications and donor-facing materials, while safeguarding brand integrity, narrative consistency, and messaging quality across the organization.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Communications & Brand Stewardship

• Lead the development and delivery of NEF’s global communications strategy, aligned with organizational priorities.


• Define messaging frameworks, tone, and positioning across audiences.


• Act as brand guardian, ensuring consistency in voice, narrative, and visual identity across all platforms.


• Review and approve external-facing communications for quality, coherence, and brand alignment.


• Advise senior leadership on communications opportunities and reputational considerations.


• This role includes both high-level communications strategy and the regular, hands-on creation of weekly content across digital platforms, including LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and email, to sustain donor engagement and strengthen outreach.

Content Development & Storytelling

• Lead the creation of high-impact, human-centered content showcasing NEF’s work and results.


• Draft communications assets, including annual reports, case studies, donor updates, campaigns, and multimedia content.


• Manage an organization-wide content calendar aligned with programmatic and fundraising priorities.


• Coordinate with country teams to source and curate stories, updates, and impact material.


• Ensure all outputs meet ethical storytelling and quality standards.

Donor Communications Support (Enabling Role)

• Collaborate with fundraising, partnerships, and donor account teams to strengthen donor-facing communications.


• Enhance the quality and clarity of proposals, concept notes, and donor materials through narrative refinement and messaging support.


• Translate technical and programmatic inputs into compelling external-facing content.


• Provide tools, templates, and guidance to improve consistency and quality of donor communications across teams.

(Note: The role does not manage donor relationships or lead fundraising processes.)

Digital & External Engagement

• Oversee NEF’s website and social media presence, ensuring alignment with institutional messaging and priorities.


• Develop targeted digital strategies, with emphasis on professional audiences and LinkedIn engagement.


• Monitor digital performance and optimize content reach and engagement.

Media & Visibility

• Maintain relationships with media and external stakeholders to enhance organizational visibility.


• Develop press materials and support media engagement opportunities.


• Support leadership with messaging, presentations, and speaking engagements.


• Identify opportunities for thought leadership and external representation.

Coordination & Communications Governance

• Serve as the central coordination point for communications across the organization.


• Develop annual and quarterly communications plans aligned with strategic priorities.


• Maintain tools, templates, and brand guidelines to ensure consistency.


• Support crisis communications when required.


• Manage the communications budget.

Qualifications & Requirements

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Journalism, International Relations, Marketing, or a related field (Master’s preferred).

Experience

• Minimum 5–8 years of experience in communications, ideally within an international NGO, development, or humanitarian context.


• Proven experience developing high-quality donor-facing communications and strategic content.


• Experience working in integrated teams supporting fundraising or resource mobilization strongly preferred.


• Experience managing brand identity, digital platforms, and multi-channel communications.


• Experience with HubSpot strongly preferred

Skills & Competencies

• Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling skills in English.


• Strong ability to translate complex technical content into clear, compelling messaging.


• Strategic thinking combined with strong execution and prioritization skills.


• High attention to detail and quality control.


• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to influence without authority.


• Experience working across multicultural, multi-country teams.

Additional Assets

• Familiarity with institutional donors (e.g., foundations, bilateral/multilateral agencies).


• Experience in crisis communications and reputation management.


• Skills in basic design tools or content management systems.


• Additional languages an advantage.

About the Near East Foundation (NEF):

For over a century, the Near East Foundation has been dedicated to building sustainable futures for communities in need across the Middle East, Africa, and Armenia. As an NGO driven by compassion and long-term impact, our team thrives on the challenges of delivering meaningful change in some of the most complex regions of the world.  People are at the heart of what we do. Our work—empowering individuals and communities, fostering economic growth, and promoting peace and stability—depends on the passionate, diverse, and committed team that makes it possible.

To apply:

NEF will accept a rolling application until the position is filled. Review of application will begin on May 18th, 2026. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. 

Please apply by submitting the following documents in the English language to the Near East Foundation’s careers page at https://neareast.bamboohr.com/careers/410 :

1. Cover letter outlining all relevant experience, how you meet the essential criteria.


2. Curriculum Vitae.


3. List of three references (including one from current, or most recent, employer). You will be given further notice prior to us contacting references.

Please note only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Near East Foundation by visiting the NEF website at www.neareast.org