Communications Manager

General Information 

• Job Code: PRO-CM-04M
• Location: Ripple Effect Headquarters – Rockville, MD  
• Employee Type: Exempt, Full-Time Regular
• Manager: Yes
• Telework: This role is fully remote
• Salary Range: $98,474.06-$113,245.20 (how we pay and promote)  

Are you passionate about using communication to advance a mission that matters?

Ripple Effect is seeking a Senior Communications Manager to lead and execute high-impact communications, engagement, and marketing initiatives for federal and health focused clients. In this role, you will develop and oversee integrated communications strategies, manage client relationships, lead multidisciplinary teams, and ensure the delivery of high-quality communications products and engagement activities that support organizational goals and client missions.

The ideal candidate is an experienced communications leader who excels at translating complex scientific, policy, and technical information into compelling content, managing projects and teams, and driving audience engagement through strategic communications and events.

While not an exhaustive list, the key duties for the position include: 

• Develop and oversee communications and engagement strategies that effectively disseminate information, increase stakeholder engagement, and support client objectives.
• Lead the planning and execution of integrated communications campaigns, including message development, change management initiatives, social marketing activities, and omnichannel communication approaches.
• Provide strategic guidance to clients and project teams on communications best practices, audience engagement, and content development.
• Directs media relations and external outreach activities across multiple projects, including development of media strategies, cultivation of press and stakeholder relationships, pitch development, media engagement, and monitoring/reporting on outreach effectiveness.
• Direct the development and quality review of a broad range of communications products, including communications plans, newsletters, social media content, blogs, feature stories, presentations, talking points, speeches, fact sheets, marketing materials, email campaigns, reports, and technical communications.
• Lead stakeholder engagement initiatives that expand client reach, strengthen relationships, and improve audience participation.
• Develops and manages project timelines for communication initiatives, coordinating resources and team activities to meet all deadlines and deliver outputs on schedule. 
• Supervises team members, handles assignments, timekeeping, and problem-solving. Responsible for quality, performance management, and training. 
• Establish and maintain quality review processes for communications and engagement deliverables.

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications      

• Bachelor’s Degree in marketing, communications, business or relevant fields 

• 6+ years of relevant experience, additional education substitutes for experience. 

• 2+ years of project management experience 

• 2+ years of supervisory experience 

Basic Requirements

• Experience with content development in areas including ability to translate complex scientific information into plain language for a variety of audiences and versatility across formats such as web, social media, and technical writing.  
• Experience with health communications strategy and planning in areas including campaign planning, change management, message development and omnichannel strategies.  
• Relevant experience leading projects and teams, tasking, implementing a quality review process for all deliverables, and following up on others’ work to ensure deliverable deadlines are met.
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills for face-to-face interactions with clients, co-workers, and leadership and preparing high quality, client-ready deliverables
• Proactively aligns work with organizational goals by gathering and sharing essential information, identifying necessary changes, and informing decision-makers when needed. 
• Intermediate experience with Microsoft Office productivity software and collaboration tools such as Microsoft Teams and SharePoint.  
• Previous experience supporting federal government agencies and/or foundational knowledge of government regulations.

Skills That Set You Apart

• Certificate in communications, marketing, or public relations such as PRSA. 
• Advanced experience with content development in areas including ability to translate complex information into plain language for a variety of audiences and versatility across formats such as web, social media, and technical writing.. 
• Advanced experience with communications strategy and planning in areas including campaign planning, change management, message development and omnichannel strategies. 
• Advanced experience with accessibility in areas such as 508 compliance for a wide range of digital communications materials. 
• Intermediate experience with social media tools such as Hootsuite, Sprout Social or similar tools. 
• Hands-on experience with media buying, paid advertising campaign management, budget optimization, and performance analytics across multiple channels.

About Ripple Effect 

Ripple Effect is a woman-owned, 200-person company of communicators, scientists, researchers, and analysts. Established in 2003, and named as one of the “Best and Brightest Companies to Work For” in 2024 and 2025 by the NABR, Ripple Effect has earned acclaim for delivering unparalleled consulting services and top-tier talent across federal, private, and non-profit sectors. 

Benefits

At Ripple Effect, we reward our employees for their contributions to our mission. Our comprehensive total rewards package includes competitive pay, exceptional benefits, and a range of programs that support your work/life balance and personalized preferences.  

Learn more about our benefits and culture here.