Role Overview:
The Communications Manager is responsible for delivering and coordinating PxD's communications function, under the guidance of the Chief Operating Officer (COO). This includes leading the development and execution of communications strategy, maintaining consistency and quality across all materials, and managing PxD's external presence - including digital channels, design, and key publications. The role will develop and uphold a clear understanding of PxD's audiences and how communications contribute to organisational goals, and includes responsibility for defining how success is measured.
The role works closely with the Director of Research, Chief Executive Officer, and the Executive and Operations Assistant (on events), as well as external consultants - including fundraising, brand and design, copy-editing, and video editing - and field communications staff (responsible for collecting testimonials and video content locally). The Communications Manager will manage a few of these contractual relationships, in close collaboration with the COO.
This is currently an individual-contributor role with no direct reports, though the Communications Manager will manage and direct the work of external consultants and freelancers. Travel may be required periodically to attend organisational meetings and events.
We're proud of this work, and we know we can tell its story better and reach more audiences with it - there's a real opportunity to sharpen how we communicate our evidence, our partnerships, and our results, including the setbacks, with funders, governments, and the wider development community. This role sits at the centre of that opportunity, shaping how PxD's impact is understood and helping build the credibility that sustains and grows our partnerships over time.
Responsibilities:
Strategy & Planning
Goal: Ensure PxD's communications strategy is deliberately aligned to organisational and fundraising priorities, so that every channel and campaign has a clear purpose and measurable contribution to PxD's goals.
- Lead the development and implementation of PxD's communications strategy, ensuring it is designed to advance PxD's strategic goals and funding targets.
- Define and maintain PxD's audience map across key groups - including government partners, media, and the wider public - building on existing funder audience work, and tailor communications approaches accordingly.
- Collaborate with the COO, fundraising, and leadership to define success metrics for communications, and track performance against them.
- Identify the most effective media and communications approaches for key products, services, and audiences, in line with PxD's communications voice and style.
Website & Digital Channels
Goal: Maintain PxD's website and social presence as credible, current, and compelling touchpoints for funders, partners, and the public - accurately and professionally reflecting the organisation's evidence and impact.
Working with the Creative & Comms Consultant, the Communications Manager will:
- Drive the ongoing maintenance, development, and updates of PxD's external website.
- Support the development and maintenance of internal hubs and the intranet.
- Drive PxD's social media presence, including drafting LinkedIn posts.
Content, Design & Brand
Goal: Protect the consistency, quality, and credibility of everything PxD publishes externally, while making it as easy as possible for staff and consultants to produce on-brand materials efficiently.
Working with the Creative & Comms Consultant, the Communications Manager will:
- Drive PxD's social media presence, including drafting LinkedIn posts.
- Hold the editorial bar for all external-facing content and materials, ensuring consistency, quality, and brand integrity -in partnership with the consultant, who supports execution.
- Own the design and layout process for external reports, including annual and quarterly reports, as well as blog content.
- Work with the consultant to develop standardized templates for fundraising, proposals, and daily business operations.
- Support the production of graphics, visual assets, and media content.
- Provide input and coordination for bespoke pitch decks and proposals.
- Maintain a central library of communications assets - brand guidelines, templates, past reports, and photo/video assets - ensuring materials are organised, current, and easy for staff and consultants to locate and reuse.
- Keep an up-to-date catalogue of testimonials - tracking source, context, consent status, and usage rights - so approved quotes and stories can be readily sourced for reports, proposals, and external communications.
Governance & Compliance
- Working with the COO, maintain and enforce PxD's communications policies and guidelines, including staff social media use, photo and video consent processes for program participants and staff, and brand usage standards.
- Ensure all externally shared field content (photos, videos, quotes, testimonials) has appropriate consent on file before use, working with program and HR Operations teams as needed.
- Keep policy documents current and accessible, and provide light-touch guidance to staff and consultants on their application.
Media & External Relations
Goal: Build PxD's media presence and profile through proactive media engagement and high-impact strategic events.
- Support media relations; press enquiries to be directed to the COO.
- Represent PxD on communications calls and coalitions.
- Support the COO with rapid-response crisis communications, as needed.
- Identify opportunities to translate PxD's research and field evidence into external storytelling and thought leadership content, working with research and program staff to source compelling stories, field examples, and testimonials.
- Working with the Executive and Operations Assistant and COO, support strategic event management, including planning, logistics, and execution for high-impact events (e.g., conferences, panels, donor convenings, and launches) that elevate PxD's profile and advance organisational goals.
- Develop and maintain a calendar of speaking, social media, sponsorship, content, and event partnership opportunities that align with PxD's strategic communications priorities.
- Coordinate with internal teams (research, program, development) to ensure events are well-resourced, on-message, and effectively leveraged for follow-up storytelling and media engagement.
Internal Communications
- Working closely with the COO, support internal communications to ensure staff are informed and engaged, and to nurture culture and togetherness.
What You'll Bring:
- 5–10 years of experience in communications, content strategy, journalism, or a closely related field.
- Excellent writing and editorial judgment, with the ability to translate complex research and technical findings into clear, compelling, non-technical communications.
- Experience defining audience segments and communications success metrics, with a track record of using both to sharpen strategy and demonstrate impact.
- Experience managing external consultants, agencies, or freelancers, including setting briefs and performance expectations.
- Experience developing or enforcing communications-related policies (e.g., social media guidelines, media consent processes) a plus.
- Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to juggle multiple work streams independently in a lean team environment.
- Experience supporting or collaborating with fundraising/development teams, with an understanding of donor-facing communications.
- Familiarity with website management and social media platforms (e.g., LinkedIn); design tool experience (e.g., Canva, Adobe Suite) a plus.
- Commitment to communicating evidence-based, measurable impact.
- Experience in nonprofit, international development, or research-driven organizations preferred.
