Manager, Field Communications

What We Do

What started as a small group of families gathered around a kitchen table in 1979 has blossomed into the nation’s leading voice on mental health. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness.

Today, we are an alliance of hundreds of local affiliates, state organizations, and a national office that work in communities across the United States to raise awareness and provide support and education that was not previously available to those in need.

NAMI advocates for all who are affected by mental illness, both the individuals and the people in their lives. We work to address disparities and injustices and to promote dignity and inclusion for all people with mental illness and their families. In addition to being advocates, we educate, we listen, and we lead as evidenced by our public awareness campaigns, the range of programs we provide, and our strong public policy.

Job Opening: Manager, Field Communications

We currently have an opening for a Manager, Field Communications. The Manager, Field Communications, is responsible for managing, curating, and prioritizing the cadence of outgoing communications. This process- and content-focused role centers on streamlining communications to maximize clarity, impact, and relevance.

This role requires a strategic thinker who understands how field communications drive organizational objectives and how to craft compelling, aligned content to engage NAMI’s state and affiliate offices effectively.

This position demands a strong writer and content strategist who can see the big picture and connect field communications to NAMI’s overarching goals. The Manager must work collaboratively and inclusively across teams, diplomatically guiding colleagues to embrace streamlined processes that achieve better alignment, greater economies of scale, and enhanced impact while respecting individual needs and contributions.

This full-time position is based out of our Arlington, VA, office for three days per week. It offers a hybrid work schedule for the additional two days.

Salary Range: $65,000–$70,000

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop and oversee a comprehensive and streamlined field communications strategy that balances engagement while avoiding information overload for state and affiliate leaders.
• Curate and prioritize the cadence of outgoing communications, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities and minimizing duplication or redundancy.
• Serve as the primary content strategist and writer for field communications, producing clear, compelling, and actionable messaging to advance NAMI’s goals.
• Collaborate across departments to ensure field communications align with NAMI’s broader strategic initiatives and effectively deliver on OKRs.
• Produce and manage key publications, including Annual Reports and blogs, focusing on delivering timely, relevant, and high-quality content.
• Support Alliance-wide communication efforts, including promotional activities for NAMICon and EDLE (Executive Directors Leadership Exchange). Collaborate with the MarCom team to create content for social media, media relations, and other external platforms to promote NAMI programs.
• Build strong relationships with internal teams to foster an inclusive and collaborative approach to content development and communications planning.
• Regularly assess and refine communication processes, using feedback and performance metrics to improve efficiency, clarity, and alignment.
• Ensure timely delivery of collateral, training materials, and updates to support the field effectively.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing, Communications, Public Relations, or related field.
• 3–5 years’ experience in Business-to-Business marketing and communications in a non-profit or mission-driven organization. Experience with mental health or other disability groups is highly desirable.
• Communications or agency background preferred. Experience in communications at a non-profit or public health organization is highly desirable.
• Experience creating strategic marketing and communications plans and managing tactical implementation.
• Experience working with and supporting a large, federated network of satellite offices/affiliates.
• Strong writing, editing, proofreading, and presentation skills.
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.
• Strong collaboration skills and ability to work across a matrixed organization.
• Organized, detail-oriented, and able to thrive in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the AP Style Guide with enthusiasm for applying its principles.
• Ability to travel up to 10%.
• Must pass a background check.

Benefits

Your salary is only one component of the total compensation package. NAMI offers a range of standard and unique benefits, including:

• Generous and comprehensive health, dental, and vision plans.
• Paid time off: Vacation, personal, and sick leave.
• Paid parental leave.
• 403(b) retirement plan.
• Flexible Spending Accounts for health care, dependent care, and commuter expenses.
• Life insurance and disability coverage paid by NAMI.
• Flexible work and telework programs.
• Professional development reimbursement program.
• A variety of wellness offerings to support team members.
• Employee referral program.
• The Employee Assistance Program (EAP), which provides support for personal and family challenges.

Equal Opportunity Employer

NAMI is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workforce. NAMI prohibits discrimination and harassment against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, marital status, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, genetic information, or any other legally protected group status. We also provide reasonable accommodation for candidates with disabilities.

Learn more here