Who We Are
International Justice Mission (IJM) is the global leader in protecting vulnerable people from violence around the world. Our team of over 1,200 professionals are at work worldwide in over 30 offices. Together we are on a mission to rescue millions, protect half a billion, and make justice unstoppable. We are a global community that cares for one another. We believe that the way we work is as important as the results we achieve. We provide professional excellence with joy and celebration to all those we serve.
The Need
For over 25 years, IJM has pioneered the work to protect vulnerable people from violence. Nine out of nine times in the last decade, IJM’s Justice System Strengthening Projects have reduced slavery and violence between 50 and 85% for very large populations of people living in poverty.
As we grow to expand our impact to protect 500 million people from violence, we are seeking a Manager, Communications to lead strategic communications planning and narrative orchestration for key initiatives, ensuring cohesive, audience-centered messaging across campaigns, donor experiences, executive communications, and live events.
This position is hybrid (onsite Tuesdays & Thursdays) if located in the Washington, DC area or remote for non-local candidates. It reports to the Global Director, Marketing Communications and is only available for candidates with the right to work in the US.
Responsibilities:
Lead strategic communications planning and narrative orchestration for major donor events, campaign moments, and enterprise storytelling initiatives;
Develop integrated messaging strategies that unify digital, print, live, and executive communications across key audience touchpoints;
Develop and maintain global messaging frameworks, editorial standards, and reusable content assets that promote brand consistency across IJM’s global functions;
Support communications planning and event orchestration, including message flow, stage narrative, speaker preparation, scripts, presentations, and related donor communications;
Translate organizational priorities and campaign objectives into clear, audience-centered communication approaches;
Provide editorial leadership and coaching to writers, contributors, and cross-functional partners to strengthen message clarity, structure, and audience relevance;
Build capability across teams through guidance, resources, and responsible use of emerging tools, including AI-enabled writing technologies;
Participation in IJM’s community of spiritual formation.
Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, journalism, English, nonprofit management, or related field;
7+ years of experience in strategic communications, marketing communications, campaign communications, donor communications, brand messaging, or related roles;
Demonstrated experience developing messaging strategies, narrative frameworks, editorial guidance, or reusable content assets that support multi-channel communications;
Experience shaping communications for major campaigns, donor engagement initiatives, live events, executive communications, or enterprise storytelling moments;
Strong background writing and editing high-visibility communications across digital, print, presentation, live event, and executive-facing formats;
Experience translating complex organizational priorities into clear, audience-centered messaging that supports engagement, trust, and action.
Critical Qualities:
Eager commitment to IJM's Core Values: Christian, Professional and Bridge-Building;
Global and cultural awareness, with sensitivity to communicating across diverse audiences and contexts;
Strong interpersonal skills and self-awareness;
Exceptional verbal and written communication;
Flexible, collaborative and eager to support others;
Effective team player who fosters collaborative environment; and
Adept at creative problem solving.
Application Process:
Upload Resume, Cover Letter & Statement of Faith* in one PDF document.
What is a statement of faith? A statement of faith should describe your Christian faith and how you see it as relevant to your involvement with IJM. The statement can either be incorporated into the cover letter or submitted as a separate document and should include, at a minimum, a description of your spiritual disciplines (prayer, study, etc.) and your current fellowship or place of worship.
What does IJM have to offer?
Comprehensive Medical/Dental/Vision benefits
Retirement benefit options
Paid leave starting at 23 days
12 holidays (plus early release the day prior)
Daily, quarterly, and annual community spiritual formation
Robust staff care resources
IJM holds strict safeguarding principles and a zero tolerance to violations of the Safeguarding Policy, Protection against Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment Policy, and Code of Ethics. Candidate selection is based on technical competence, recruitment, selection and hiring criteria subject to assessing the candidate’s value congruence and thorough background, police clearance, and reference check processes.
At IJM, we’re committed to building a diverse workforce through fair and equitable employment practices. IJM encourages people of any race, color, age, sex, marital status or political ideology to apply for employment. While we welcome everyone into this work, we truly believe that the work we are doing is God’s work, not our own, and practice spiritual disciplines together daily. That’s why we legally require under SEC. 2000e‑1 [Section702] of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 that all employees practice a mature orthodox Christian faith, as defined by the Apostles’ Creed.
IJM requires a background check, police clearance and thorough review of references with an employment offer and/or employment contract.
Similar Jobs
What you need to know about the Chicago Tech Scene
Key Facts About Chicago Tech
- Number of Tech Workers: 245,800; 5.2% of overall workforce (2024 CompTIA survey)
- Major Tech Employers: McDonald’s, John Deere, Boeing, Morningstar
- Key Industries: Artificial intelligence, biotechnology, fintech, software, logistics technology
- Funding Landscape: $2.5 billion in venture capital funding in 2024 (Pitchbook)
- Notable Investors: Pritzker Group Venture Capital, Arch Venture Partners, MATH Venture Partners, Jump Capital, Hyde Park Venture Partners
- Research Centers and Universities: Northwestern University, University of Chicago, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Illinois Institute of Technology, Argonne National Laboratory, Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory


