Managing Director, Strategic Communications (M3)

The Role

As the Managing Director, Strategic Communications, you'll be integral to our work in helping vulnerable children achieve a brighter future. You will lead the development and execution of our strategic communications strategy that supports our internal communications, thought leadership agenda, and key strategic partnerships work to enhance Save the Children's visibility and reputation among key audiences, including Save the Children supporters, partners and staff, in support of our strategy.

This role serves as the primary communications partner with Save the Children Leadership and our Partnerships teams overseeing executive visibility efforts, high-impact content development, and strategic positioning for senior leaders across platforms and events. It also contributes to corporate communications initiatives that support brand consistency, fundraising, and enterprise priorities.

The Managing Director works in close coordination with the Senior Managing Director, Media Relations, the Senior Advisor Web Content and Strategy as well as other key Divisional Partners to ensure message alignment and reputational integrity across our public-facing communication activities.

Location

Hybrid - Washington DC orFairfield, CT office locations

What You'll Be Doing (Essential Duties)

Thought Leadership (40%)

• Lead thought leadership strategy aligned with fundraising and influence goals, especially for B2B audiences.
• Develop executive visibility strategies, including speaking engagements, award submissions, blogs, and op-eds.
• Develop and oversee internal communications strategy.
• Oversee and contribute to development of external communications content (e.g., LinkedIn strategy, event scripts).
• Oversee and contribute to development of internal communications content.
• Ensure the team has the skills, tools, and support to deliver high-quality work and meet shared goals.
• Build relationships with event organizers to secure speaking and conference opportunities with key partner, donor, and peer audiences.
• Lead creation of thought leadership assets such as speaker submissions, panel proposals, run-of-show materials, and messaging.
• Collaborate with Social Media and internal teams to strengthen thought leadership on LinkedIn.

Media and Communications Strategy & Execution (25%)

• Lead public relations and communications strategy for initiatives tied to corporate partnerships, foundations, and major donors within the P&P portfolio.
• Serve as a key liaison with partner and donor communications teams to support shared visibility goals.
• Oversee and contribute to the development of partner-facing content, including press releases, talking points, quotes, and messaging aligned with brand and communications standards.
• Manage and contribute to the development of innovative content with and for partners for external communication channels.
• Lead corporate communications initiatives, including announcements and crisis communications.
• Pitch and develop relationships with targeted traditional and new media.
• Coordinate closely with the Senior Managing Director, Media Relations & Crisis Communications to ensure alignment on messaging, timing, and risk considerations.

Internal Collaboration and Alignment (20%)

• Work cross-functionally with teams in Philanthropy, Brand Marketing, Programs, and Executive Leadership to develop strategic messaging.
• Provide communications planning, positioning support, and audience insight to internal teams.

Team Leadership and Management (15%)

• Train, develop, coach, lead, and supervise staff, clearly communicating organization, division and department priorities, and how their work contributes to our mission, ensuring that the working environment continually fosters diversity, inclusion, and belonging - supporting Save the Children values.
• Cultivate individual talents and guide team towards shared and personal successes.
• Ensure efficient ways of working within the Communications team, division, domestic and global organization.

Required qualifications for the role

• Minimum of a Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experience, plus at least 10 years of relevant experience in media and communications.
• Demonstrated understanding of the overall media industry and thought leadership landscape and strategies in sectors relevant to the organization and to key partner, donor and peer audiences.
• Ability to exhibit strategic vision and demonstrated understanding of media, communications, thought leadership and brand strategy.
• Proven expertise in securing and managing earned media and thought leadership opportunities.
• Insight-driven leader; ability to exhibit understanding of competitive landscape and use both business/partner (B2B) and consumer-mindsets (B2C).
• Demonstrated ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment, prioritization ability, handle pressure and meet deadlines with a growth mindset while collaborating effectively with internal and external partners.
• Ability to express strong, clear POV and drive projects in the face of ambiguity and competing deliverables.
• Experience working within a corporation or in partnership with private sector.
• Prior experience leading a team.
• Demonstrated writing, editing, verbal communications, negotiation and presentation skills.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with individuals and teams at all levels, both internally and externally.
• Self-reliant, inherently curious, results-oriented problem-solver.
• Budget management skills.
• Professional proficiency in MS Office suite.
• Professional proficiency in spoken and written English.

Preferred qualifications for the role

• Non-profit experience is a plus.
• You are personally passionate about thought leadership trends and B2B communications.

Compensation

Save the Children is offering the following salary ranges for this position, dependent on candidate location:

• Geo 1 - NY Metro, DC, and other locations with labor costs significantly above national average: Target Salary for this position is $131,750 - $147,250 base salary
• Geo 2 - Locations around the US National Labor Cost Average: Target Salary for this position is $119,850 - $133,950 base salary
• Geo 3 - Locations significantly below the US National Labor Cost Average: Target Salary for this position is $107,950 - $120,650 base salary

The salary ranges listed above are for US based candidates. For candidates located outside of the US, salary ranges will be based on the salary scales of the local employer of record. Actual base salary may vary based on, but not limited to, relevant experience, base salary of internal peers, business sector, and geographic location (more information on job structure is available here).

About Us

We are looking to build an inclusive team at Save the Children. We offer a range of outstanding benefits to support this goal:

• Flexible schedules and time off: Flexible schedules, generous PTO, 11 paid holidays plus 2 floating holidays and hybrid working opportunities
• Health: Competitive health care, dental and vision coverage for you and your family
• Family: A variety of paid leaves: caregiver, parental/adoption, critical child illness and fertility benefits
• Employee Rewards Program: Annual merit increases and/or additional incentives for eligible employees
• Retirement: A retirement savings plan with employer contributions (after one year)
• Wellness: 15 safety and wellness days annually (if hired on or after July 1, safety and wellness days prorated to 8 days), mental health benefits and support through Calm and company-hosted events
• Employee Assistance Program: free and confidential assessments, short-term counseling, referrals, and follow-up services
• Learning & Growth: Access to internal and external learning & development opportunities and mentorships

Click here to learn more about how Save the Children US will invest in you.

Save the Children is committed to conducting its programs and operations in a manner that is safe for the children it serves and helping protect the children with whom we are in contact. All Save the Children representatives are explicitly prohibited from engaging in any activity that may result in any kind of child abuse.

Save the Children is committed to minimizing safety and security risks for our valued employees, ensuring all are given training, support and information to reduce their risk exposure while maximizing the impact of our programs for children and families. Our shared duty, both agency and individual, is to seek and maintain safe working conditions for all.

If you require disability assistance with the application or recruitment process, please submit a request to applicantsupport@savechildren.org.