Assistant Director of Communications

Status: Full-time | Location: Alexandria, VA | Division: Department of External Affairs

About the role

IDEA (Islamic Development & Empowerment in America) is seeking an Assistant Director of Communications based in the Alexandria, VA Office. This position is responsible for overseeing the communications and media relations team to assist in the delivery of the organization’s mission. The Assistant Director of Communications plays a vital leadership role within IDEA by leading the execution of the organization’s overarching communications, media, and programmatic storytelling strategies. The candidate must possess and demonstrate superior leadership, communication, management and creative problem‑solving skills, a commitment to IDEA’s faith‑inspired values and principles, and the vision and mission of the organization. This position requires travel as needed to support organizational activities.

Responsibilities

• Executes the Executive Team’s strategic direction and alignment of IDEA’s communications team; collaborates with the Executive Team to identify organizational challenges and spearhead effective solutions.
• Stays highly informed about political developments, international standards for relief and development work, and humanitarian needs worldwide and in the United States.
• Manages day‑to‑day operations of the communications team, establishing key performance indicators (KPIs), editorial workflows, project priorities, and budget priorities under the guidance of the CEAO.
• Serves as the primary communications liaison to internal teams—including Marketing, Fund Development, U.S. Programs, International Programs—to ensure aligned messaging and timely workflow.
• Effectively engages media sources to promote and highlight IDEA’s work and impact in the humanitarian sector.
• Develops crisis response protocols, drafts reactive statements, and protects the organization’s reputation during emergency responses or sensitive situations.
• Researches, vets, retains and manages services and relationships with external vendors.
• Identifies and proposes solutions to challenges and emerging issues; works with senior leadership to recognize communication opportunities and designs and executes appropriate strategies.
• Conducts ongoing evaluation of IDEA’s communications protocols and recommends improvements as necessary.
• Reports to upper management on the status of ongoing projects and campaigns to ensure they progress according to schedule and achieve desired results.
• Establishes metrics to evaluate the reach and effectiveness of communications initiatives, delivering regular performance reports and recommendations to the CEAO.
• Interviews, hires, and oversees onboarding and training of employees and consultants.
• Engages and participates in discussions and planning with executive and senior leadership.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field required; Master’s degree in international development, economics, sociology or other relevant disciplines preferred.
• Minimum 7–10 years of experience in communication and media relations in progressively more responsible roles.
• Preferred 3–5 years of direct supervisory experience managing multi‑disciplinary communications professionals.
• Mastery of the humanitarian and development sector, media environment, crisis management, and project management.
• Superior management skills with the ability to influence and engage staff, senior management and executive leadership.
• Demonstrated experience building, mentoring, and coaching a team of communications and media specialists.
• Creativity and effectiveness in utilizing new media technologies and mediums; ability to make decisions in a rapidly changing environment and anticipate future needs.
• Strong project‑management ability and capacity to handle multiple tasks and deadlines.
• Excellent interpersonal and oral communication skills; effective written communication skills.
• Innovative thinker with a track record of translating strategic thinking into actionable plans and tangible results.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Proven leadership ability and change‑management facilitation skills.
• Proven cultural competence and sensitivity to work with a wide array of ethnicities.
• Ability to travel internationally for field supervision, monitoring visits, and specialized program events and meetings.
• Eligibility to work in the United States.
• Commitment to IDEA’s organizational values—Integrity, Service, Resilience, Social Innovation, and Collaboration—and adherence to its Safeguarding, Code of Ethics, and Anti‑Harassment and Discrimination policies.