Senior Manager, External Communications

About Understood

Understood is a nonprofit focused on shaping the world for difference. We raise awareness of the challenges and strengths of people who learn and think differently. Our resources help people navigate challenges, gain confidence, and find support and community so they can thrive. 

Having a shared commitment to our values is a key factor in any hire we make. We have five core values: 

1. Continuously learn.
2. Act with intention.
3. Champion difference. 
4. Inspire change.
5. Grow together. 

Come be part of an organization with an entrepreneurial spirit that’s helping to shape the world for difference. Together, we can build a world where everyone can reach their full potential. 

To learn more about Understood, please visit: www.understood.org.

Who you are 

To advance Understood’s mission and to further our impact, we’re hiring a Senior Manager of External Communications, reporting to our Director of External Communications. The ideal candidate is an experienced brand storyteller, with a proven track record of proactively identifying, securing and managing external opportunities that enhance brand visibility and reputation. This person will build and manage relationships with external and internal stakeholders, act as a key point of contact for the organization, and develop compelling narratives to differentiate Understood.org as the leading resource on learning and thinking differences. 

This is a hybrid role that requires a minimum of three (3) days a week in our NYC office, with a focus on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday.

What you’ll do

• Strategic Planning & Promotion: 
  • Collaborate with the Director of External Communications to develop and implement comprehensive external communications strategies that align with Understood.org’s goals and increase brand visibility among key audiences. This includes promoting Understood.org’s key products and offerings, including expert-verified interventions, research, podcasts and U.org content. 
• Thought Leadership: 
  • Identify, secure, and manage external engagements [interviews, op-eds, speaking engagements] that help amplify Understood.org’s voice and share our mission. 
  • Work with internal and external stakeholders to prepare leadership and experts for engagements, including presentation development, message development, coaching, on-site staffing and developing amplification plans.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: 
  • Work closely with internal teams including Marketing, Social, Content, Research, Advancement, and Strategic Expertise and Design to gather or develop proof points to enhance external storytelling.This may include overseeing the development of creative materials [fact sheets, infographics] or research [landscape analysis, surveys] to support a campaign or narrative.
• External Relationship Management:
  • Serve as a key point of contact for external communications inquiries and requests.
  • Work with outside PR agency and consultants to provide direction and support for external engagements.
  • Develop and maintain relationships with key external contacts, which may include journalists, event producers, council leaders, and partners. 
• Reputation Management: 
  • Lead and execute reputation management strategies to proactively monitor, measure, analyze, and enhance Understood’s public image, ensuring alignment with our mission and consistent messaging across all external communication channels.

Must-haves

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in external communications, public relations, journalism or a related role.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a cross-functional team environment.
• Proven track record of securing and managing thought leadership opportunities (media, speaking engagements, etc.) and working closely with senior executives/experts to oversee engagements from start to finish.
• Excellent writing, editing, and verbal communication skills with the ability to tailor messaging for various audiences.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to juggle multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Proficient in Cision, MuckRack, Meltwater or other similar PR measurement platform.
• Committed to embodying and being a steward of our commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.

Nice-to-haves

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing, or a related field
• Experience working at or with external PR agencies and managing external relationships (e.g. partners, ext