Senior Manager, Digital Communications

Description

About GMF 

The German Marshall Fund of the United States (GMF) is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening cooperation between North America and Europe on regional, national, and global challenges. Through policy analysis, convening, leadership development, and strategic initiatives, GMF advances democratic values and transatlantic collaboration. 

Position Summary 

The Senior Manager, Digital Communications leads GMF's digital communications strategy and oversees the organization's digital presence across social media, web, newsletters, and emerging digital platforms. This role is responsible for increasing the visibility, reach, and impact of GMF's ideas, experts, events, and institutional priorities through integrated digital communications programs. 

Serving as the strategic owner of GMF's digital communications ecosystem, the Senior Manager ensures that digital platforms, channels, products, and analytics work together to advance organizational goals, strengthen audience engagement, and elevate GMF's reputation and influence. 

The Senior Manager supervises the Social Media Coordinator and serves as the organization's lead for digital strategy, analytics, audience growth, and digital performance reporting. Working closely with Communications leadership and stakeholders across the organization, this position develops digital strategy, manages audience development initiatives, oversees digital analytics and reporting, leads integrated campaigns, manages external vendors and platforms, and advises on emerging digital trends and best practices. 

The Senior Manager serves as GMF's principal digital communications strategist and is responsible for aligning digital communications performance, audience engagement, and platform growth with the organization's institutional objectives. 

Essential Responsibilities 

Digital Strategy & Leadership 

• Develop and implement GMF's institution-wide digital communications strategy. 
• Establish audience growth, engagement, and performance goals aligned with organizational priorities. 
• Serve as the primary advisor to Communications leadership and program teams on digital communications strategy, audience engagement, and industry best practices. 
• Consult on communications plans for major institutional initiatives, publications, partnerships, campaigns, and events. 
• Evaluate emerging technologies, platforms, and AI-enabled tools to strengthen digital communications capabilities and organizational effectiveness. 
• Lead digital planning and support for major organizational priorities and flagship initiatives.  

Audience Growth & Channel Management 

• Oversee GMF's digital ecosystem, including social media channels, website, newsletters, and emerging digital platforms. 
• Develop platform-specific strategies that strengthen GMF's thought leadership, visibility, and institutional impact. 
• Lead executive visibility efforts and support audience engagement by senior leadership. 
• Direct subscriber growth, audience development, and community engagement initiatives. 
• Ensure a cohesive audience experience across digital channels. 
• Establish and promote organization-wide standards and best practices for digital communications.  

Analytics & Organizational Reporting 

• Lead GMF's digital analytics and reporting function across social media, website, newsletter, and campaign performance. 
• Develop executive, leadership, and board-level reporting that demonstrates audience engagement, reach, digital impact, and organizational influence. 
• Establish KPIs, dashboards, and performance frameworks aligned with organizational objectives. 
• Analyze audience behavior, content performance, and digital trends to inform communications strategy and resource allocation. 
• Translate data into actionable recommendations that improve visibility, engagement, and organizational impact. 
• Support organizational decision-making through data-driven insights and performance evaluation. 

Campaigns & Institutional Visibility 

• Lead integrated digital campaigns in support of publications, research, events, fellowships, fundraising priorities, partnerships, and institutional initiatives. 
• Partner with program teams to develop strategic promotion plans and maximize audience reach. 
• Identify opportunities to elevate GMF's expertise, convening power, and thought leadership through digital storytelling and content promotion. 
• Coordinate cross-channel communications efforts that strengthen GMF's brand and institutional reputation. 
• Support high-profile organizational moments, major announcements, and strategic communications initiatives. 

Website & Digital Operations 

• Oversee governance and strategic management of GMF's digital properties, including GMFUS.org. 
• Manage website development projects and relationships with external vendors and consultants. 
• Establish and maintain digital publishing standards, workflows, and best practices. 
• Guide long-term planning related to website enhancements, accessibility, user experience, and digital infrastructure. 
• Ensure digital platforms effectively support organizational objectives and audience needs.  

Team Leadership & Vendor Management 

• Supervise the Social Media Coordinator position, including hiring, onboarding, goal setting, performance management, coaching, and professional development. 
• Manage relationships with external vendors, consultants, contractors, and platform providers. 
• Coordinate digital communications efforts across communications, programs, events, media relations, development, IT, and leadership teams. 
• Oversee project priorities, workflows, and resource allocation across digital communications activities. 
• Build digital communications capacity across the organization through collaboration, training, and guidance.  

Requirements

Qualifications 

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Marketing, Journalism, Public Affairs, International Relations, Public Policy, or related fields. 
• 7-10 years of experience in digital communications, social media strategy, digital marketing, journalism, public affairs, or a related field. 
• Demonstrated experience developing and executing multi-channel digital communications strategies and campaigns. 
• Experience managing staff, vendors, consultants, and cross-functional projects. 
• Strong understanding of social media platforms, audience development, digital analytics, website management, SEO, and content distribution strategies. 
• Experience translating analytics and audience insights into strategic recommendations. 
• Exceptional writing, editing, project management, and stakeholder engagement skills. 
• Strong attention to detail and ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment. 
• Interest in international affairs, democracy, public policy, and transatlantic relations preferred.