HFG Senior Communications Manager

Job Summary

The Harry Frank Guggenheim Foundation (HFG) is a leader in developing and disseminating research and other knowledge to examine and address enduring and urgent problems of violence to drive meaningful change.

HFG seeks a dynamic Senior Communications Manager (SCM) to design, manage, and implement the Foundation’s communications activities to ensure that HFG knowledge engages constituents to advance scholarship, inform policy and practice, and enhance public discourse and to reinforce the Foundation’s role as the leading organization focused on violence research.

The SCM will be expert in developing a comprehensive institutional communications strategy, identifying opportunities for growth and impact, and implementing and managing the daily tactics required to carry out such efforts successfully.  In other words, the SCM will be both a first-rate seasoned thinker and an energetic and experienced doer.

The SCM will require a high degree of familiarity with and comprehension of social science and policy research and its methodologies and findings.  He or she will be responsible for translating such scholarly work into clear, intelligible, and accessible language and formats to maximize its effectiveness and impact within and beyond the academy.

The SCM will be an excellent, clear, and concise writer, comfortable with complexity and expert in editorial approaches that preserve accuracy and nuance while prizing engagement and comprehensibility.

The SCM will be an experienced manager, adept in developing, overseeing and coordinating a growing suite of communications activities, including events, publications, and relationships.

The SCM will report directly to HFG’s president and work collaboratively with the Foundation’s leadership. 

Responsibilities

Specifically, the SCM will be responsible for the following activities:

HFG Website.

• Overseeing the Foundation’s website. 
• Keeping it current with news and information. 
• Developing new designs and features, as necessary.
• Monitoring and reporting on performance.

Social and Digital Media.

• Developing and overseeing social media campaigns and plans to cross-promote partner programs.
• Developing new approaches, as necessary. 
• Monitoring and reporting on performance.

Publications.

• Developing, editing, commissioning, and advancing publications.
• Setting and maintaining a publication calendar. 
• Managing print and digital publications from design through printing and distribution.

Editorial Content.

• Writing and commissioning digital editorial content to highlight the work of research partners.
• Managing grantee contributions including research summaries. 
• Writing and editing quarterly newsletter.

Media Relations.

• Managing media outreach, maintaining media contacts, tracking media appearances.

Brand Guidelines.

• Applying brand guidelines and implementing recommendations from external design firm.

Management.

• Managing part-time contract staff including webmaster, copy editor, graphic designers, and outside firms as needed.
• Managing daily work of HFG’s outsourced social media manager.
• Managing in-house live and virtual events including technical and guest management functions.
• Overseeing communications budget.
• Coach and assist staff on improving communication skills.
• Oversee development and maintenance of editorial review practices.
• Communicate and maintain clear brand voice for HFG.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s or advanced degree.
• 5-8 years’ experience leading communications for a research, policy, educational, or civil society organization.
• Prior work or academic experience in an academic discipline related to the study of violence a plus.
• Ability to engage in occasional work travel, including internationally.

Skills

• Excellent verbal and written communications.
• Extensive media relations, outreach and media contact building
• Familiarity with Facebook, Twitter/X, LinkedIn and YouTube.
• Experience working with: GoogleDocs and Slack.
• Familiarity with Canva, HootSuite and Mailchimp.
• Familiarity with WordPress and Pantheon, a plus.

Benefits

Generous employer contributions to health and wellness.

• 403 (B) Plan
• Comprehensive Medical Plan
• Dental and Eye Care
• Cardio Benefit         
• Disability and Life Insurance
• Paid Family Leave
• Commuter Allowance
• Matching gift program
• Generous Vacation Plan and Holiday Schedule

Start Date: March 1, 2025

Location: New York, NY

Type: Full Time

Salary: $140,000 – $170,000 annually

About the Foundation

The Harry Frank Guggenheim Foundation (HFG) creates and disseminates knowledge to understand the causes, manifestation, and control of violence in the United States and across the globe.  By supporting the creation and publication of basic and applied research on enduring and urgent problems of violence, such as war, crime, and human aggression, and the Foundation aims to advance scholarship, inform policy and practice, and enhance public discourse.  The Foundation awards competitive research grants and fellowships, conducts and commissions original research, publishes reports, and hosts conferences, research seminars, and public conversations on topics of violence, often in collaboration with peers in academia, philanthropy, and civil society.

To apply please send a cover letter, CV, and two writing samples to opportunities@hfg.org.

The Harry Frank Guggenheim Foundation provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

Our new look

Notice anything different? HFG.org has a fresh look with a newly designed homepage, a dedicated events section, and improved navigation and search functionality throughout the site. These changes, led by the talented team at Design for Progress, support new programming, including our expanded HFG Speaker Series, new multi-media projects, such as our Violence, Politics & Democracy initiative, and new ways for you, our digital audience, to find relevant material for your work and interests. 

Key features of the revised website include: 

• A visually compelling homepage displaying HFG’s full range of programs, events, and publications 
• An events section gathering information for upcoming and past discussions in one place
• A universal navigation bar and expanded menu for HFG grants and programs
• A revised footer with curated content for grant applicants, scholars, practitioners, and policymakers 
• An updated search function allowing users to find content by core HFG topics and keywords 

These changes build on the launch of our website in 2021 and anticipate additional changes in 2025 that will include a dedicated section highlighting the work of HFG grantees and an area for insights based on HFG-funded research and projects.  

We believe the new site will aid our efforts to generate and disseminate knowledge against violence. We welcome your feedback. Let us know what you think by visiting our contact page. 

Regards, 

Daniel F. Wilhelm, President
The Harry Frank Guggenheim Foundation