[Hiring] Communications Manager @Healthy Learners

Role Description

The Communications Manager will manage and grow this function, helping codify our messaging and brand standards, producing key publications, supporting our leaders' thought leadership platforms, and moving our media presence from opportunistic to proactive. This is a role for a strategic executor who is also, emphatically, a doer: you will help set the strategy and oversee production and delivery of much of the work.

You will be supported by designers on retainer, external PR counsel, freelancers you direct, an in-country communications officer, and an experienced writer on our Development team whose work you will help guide. You will also help maximize a brand and messaging engagement with a recently retained leading nonprofit brand strategy firm.

You will manage this function’s day-to-day operations, working directly with the Chief of Staff and CEO. Our CEO has shaped our messaging to date and will continue to be a thought partner on strategy, voice, and positioning. Our Chief of Staff, a former nonprofit communications executive, supports the CEO on communications and will help you set priorities and navigate the organization.

Qualifications

• At least 6-9 years of professional experience in strategic communications, public relations or content production, ideally in global health, education, or international development.
• Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, public relations, or a related field; Master's degree a plus.
• A portfolio of flagship publications you personally produced end to end (work samples will be requested as part of the application).
• Demonstrated excellence in writing, editing, and storytelling for diverse audiences: donors, governments, media, and the public.
• Strong design sensibility: comfort with tools such as Canva or Adobe Suite and proven ability to direct professional designers.
• Strong project management skills, including managing freelancers, budgets, and multi-stakeholder review processes.
• Experience translating technical or programmatic information into accessible, compelling materials.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work collaboratively across teams and cultures.
• Deep commitment to Healthy Learners' mission.

Requirements

• Work with the CEO to draft op-eds, speeches, presentations, and written pieces, positioning Healthy Learners as the leader in school health globally.
• Prepare leadership for panels, conferences, and sector dialogues with high-impact materials.
• Help create, implement and manage a comprehensive communications strategy aligned with Healthy Learners' mission and growth.
• Maintain key messaging, talking points, and boilerplate, ensuring consistent tone, visuals, and narrative across every channel and team.
• Manage a content calendar integrating organizational milestones, government engagements, donor cycles, and learning outputs.
• Own the annual speaking/event calendar, using HL's conference participation framework to select opportunities and track ROI against thought-leadership goals.
• Collaborate to produce annual reports, and organizational collateral. Manage the process end to end: writing, editing, design direction, and production management.
• Help move Healthy Learners from opportunistic to proactive media engagement, identifying and managing external PR counsel to secure strategic placement.
• Create and support media moments around major milestones, launches, and evidence releases, and prepare our leaders with briefing materials for interviews and press opportunities.
• Own the Healthy Learners online presence, ensuring timely, engaging, strategic content across our website and channels.
• Work with M&E and Innovation teams to translate data and evidence into accessible learning products: briefs, infographics, and summaries that inform policy and the global health community.
• Create and maintain quality standards and collaborate with our in-country communications officer and our Development team's writing lead.
• Partner with our Development team on donor materials, impact reporting, and campaign moments.

Benefits

• Opportunity for Impact: Play a pivotal role in implementing a program that improves health outcomes for millions of schoolchildren, shaping the future of communities across Africa.
• Competitive Compensation: Receive a competitive salary and benefits package that reflects your expertise and commitment.
• Professional Growth: Access ongoing training, leadership opportunities, and engage in innovative projects that challenge and inspire you.
• Supportive Culture: Join a passionate, dedicated team that values collaboration and mutual support, fostering an environment where all contributions are recognized.
• Networking Opportunities: Collaborate with international organizations and enhance your network and influence in the public health sector.