Communications Manager

Here’s your chance to join our award-winning agency, ICF Next. We’re changemakers, a community of mission-driven creatives, communicators, strategists, and technologists. We are seeking an experienced, motivated Senior Communications Manager who will:  

• Serve as a Deputy Project Manager, overseeing the day-to-day operations multi-disciplinary teams of communications professionals and subject matter experts (SMEs) supporting high-profile federal public awareness campaigns. 

• Operate as the primary operational point of contact for the client and/or prime contractor, supporting execution of requests and ensuring timely, high-quality program delivery in close coordination with the Project Manager. 

• Work collaboratively with team leads and SMEs responsible for technical delivery; support the Project Manager in developing and administering budgets, staffing plans, schedules, and other contract management requirements. 

• Support strategic planning for external outreach and messaging efforts, helping translate high-level strategy into executable workplans aligned with agency and department-level priorities. 

• Maintain strong working relationships with subcontractor counterparts to ensure program continuity, responsiveness, and client satisfaction. 

• Oversee and review deliverables and messaging material to ensure quality control and alignment with the approved strategic direction.  

• Support coordination of external and internal engagement and communications, training, and events with federal agencies and critical partners, including NGOs, corporations, multilateral entities, other law enforcement agencies, and other interested parties.  

• Serve as a liaison between the client and ICF’s internal surge support services (e.g. creative, training, instructional design) to identify and meet needs for specialized services.  

• Track emerging industry, legislative, and news trends that may impact client communications and support rapid-response planning and execution.  

Basic Qualifications:  

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, or a relevant field.  

• Ability to obtain and maintain a Public Trust clearance. 

• 4+ years experience managing large-scale campaigns, multi-million budgets, and relationships with subcontract partners.  

• U.S. Citizenship required (required by federal government for the position) 

Professional Skills: 

• Demonstrated ability to operate in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with a strong execution mindset. 

• Proven experience managing complex workflows, priorities, and dependencies across multiple workstreams. 

• Strong written, verbal, organizational, and time management skills with high attention to detail. 

• Ability to think creatively and provide unique solutions and rationale for solutions to clients’ communications challenges/problems.  

• Ability to synthesize information quickly and provide clear, actionable recommendations. 

• Ability to “connect the dots” across other tasks within the contract and see “big picture” opportunities for contract enhancements.  

• Collaborative, solutions-oriented approach to problem solving. 
   

Preferred Skills and Experience:  

• Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification or progress toward certification. 

• Experience supporting federal communications campaigns, including social media, stakeholder engagement, media relations, and paid media support.​  

At ICF, we are committed to ensuring a fair interview process for all candidates based on their own skills and knowledge. As part of this commitment, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools to generate or assist with responses during interviews (whether in-person or virtual) is not permitted. This policy is in place to maintain the integrity and authenticity of the interview process.  

However, we understand that some candidates may require accommodation that involves the use of AI. If such an accommodation is needed, candidates are instructed to contact us in advance at [email protected]. We are dedicated to providing the necessary support to ensure that all candidates have an equal opportunity to succeed.