The Manufacturing Institute is the 501(c)3 nonprofit workforce development and education partner of the National Association of Manufacturers. The MI's mission is to inspire, educate and empower the manufacturing workforce of today and tomorrow. The MI's diverse initiatives support all American workers, including emerging workers, women, veterans and students, through skilled training programs, community building and career growth.
Job Title: Vice President, Strategic Engagement & Communications
Division: Manufacturing Institute
Department: MI Communications
Reports To: President of the Manufacturing Institute
FLSA Status/Level: Exempt; Vice President
Location: DC Headquarters
Position Overview:The Manufacturing Institute is seeking a strategic, entrepreneurial and highly collaborative Vice President, Strategic Engagement & Communications in a new role created to lead and integrate the MI's communications function across, marketing, brand positioning, enterprise-wide messaging, stakeholder communications, media relations and executive communications functions.
Reporting to the President of the Manufacturing Institute, this senior role will develop, shape and strengthen the MI's brand awareness, narrative and communications strategy, ensuring the Institute's mission, programs, research, partnerships and impact are clearly positioned for priority audiences, including manufacturers, philanthropic entities, workforce organizations, economic development and educational entities, policymakers, partners, media and internal stakeholders.
The Vice President will serve as the senior communications strategist within the MI's leadership team translating the MI's strategic priorities into compelling narratives, identifying opportunities to elevate the Institute's national leadership and ensuring communications efforts reinforce the organization's mission, reputation and long-term goals. This position will work closely with the MI's affiliate, the NAM's strategic communications leads as well as the MI program leaders to align priorities, elevate the MI's national workforce leadership, support fundraising and partner engagement.
Key Responsibilities: - Develop and execute an integrated communications strategy that advances the MI's mission, strategic priorities and organizational objectives.
- Build and lead an integrated communications function across content, executive communications, marketing, media relations and digital communications.
- Develop and drive the MI's marketing strategy to strengthen organizational positioning and increase awareness of the MI's impact and capabilities.
- Identify opportunities to strengthen the MI's reputation as the national leader in manufacturing workforce development and education.
- Develop and lead a comprehensive partner and funder communications strategy in close collaboration with the VP of Partnerships & Philanthropy and MI leadership, ensuring all stewardship, recognition, and impact communications reinforce the value and outcomes of partner engagement.
- Collaborate with the NAM's Strategic Communications team to set the MI's media strategy and coordinate with them on proactive media engagement, message development, publication rollouts, rapid response and opportunities to amplify MI priorities.
- Manage the MI's editorial strategy across all channels to maximizes reach, amplify priorities, and ensure brand alignment.
- Oversee the MI's Content Team to translate program outcomes, research findings, convenings, employer engagement and workforce solutions into high-impact content.
- Serve as the primary point of contact for the MI with the NAM's strategic communications team to support integrated planning and ensure the MI's work is appropriately reflected in broader NAM reports, speeches, campaigns, events and external communications.
- Plan and execute communications including but not limited to message architecture, rollout planning, stakeholder alignment and audience-specific materials.
- Maintain awareness of workforce, manufacturing, education, labor market, media and policy trends to identify opportunities for relevant insights and thought leadership.
- Establish communications planning, governance and decision-making processes that improve coordination, prioritization and organizational impact.
The above list of responsibilities represents the position and is not intended to limit or preclude other duties and tasks that may be associated with or added to the position.
Supervisory Responsibilities:- Directly supervise the Director of the MI's Workforce Content Team, providing strategic direction, performance management, coaching and professional development.
- Oversee external communications contractors, consultants and agency partners as needed.
Qualifications: - 12+ years of progressively responsible communications, marketing, public affairs or external relations experience;
- Experience working in an association, nonprofit, workforce development, education or manufacturing environment preferred.
- Demonstrated ability to develop and execute integrated communications strategies that advance organizational priorities, shape narratives and reach multiple audiences.
- Strong track record of managing multiple portfolios simultaneously, balancing long-term strategic objectives with immediate, high-priority opportunities.
- Exceptional writer and editor, with experience producing high-impact content, remarks, op-eds, donor communications, briefing materials and public-facing content.
- Experience advising senior executives and translating complex issues into digestible communications.
- Strong media relations judgment and ability to coordinate proactive and responsive communications in partnership with internal and external stakeholders.
- Ability to manage complex projects independently, balance competing priorities and deliver high-quality work under deadlines.
And finally, it's essential that you have...- Strong communication and interpersonal skills. Relationships are important; this role will build, support and strengthen relationships with staff, partners, donors, media and other stakeholders.
- A team-oriented attitude with a developed customer service focus. The MI's work is collaborative and often shaped through relationships across the organization and with external partners.
- Sound judgment, discretion and a commitment to producing accurate, high-impact communications that reflect the MI's mission and values.
Salary Range: $152,000 - $210,000 annually. This salary range represents a good faith estimate of the lowest to the highest salary for this position. The final salary offered will be based on qualifications and experience.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
By joining the MI, you become part of a spirited and dynamic team that is driven to succeed. We recognize and reward our staff with competitive pay and annual performance-based bonus programs. We offer an outstanding benefits package that includes health, dental, and vision insurance, life, short-term and long-term disability, flexible spending accounts, SmarTrip, and a 401(k) Salary Deferral plan with employer match and contributions, vacation, and sick leave, and more. Become part of a fast-paced team passionate about keeping the United States the world leader in manufacturing.
