Communications Manager

Why This Role Matters

Severe weather and wildfire disrupt lives, displace families, and create significant financial loss. The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) conducts rigorous building science research and translates its findings into practical actions that help strengthen homes, businesses, and communities.

The Communications Manager develops and executes integrated communications strategies that increase awareness of IBHS research, strengthen the organization's reputation as a trusted scientific authority, and inspire audiences to take action. This role combines strategic planning, media relations, storytelling, and hands-on content development across external and internal communications channels.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop and execute integrated communications strategies that advance IBHS research, programs, and organizational priorities.
• Translate complex scientific and technical information into clear, compelling, and actionable content for homeowners, businesses, insurers, policymakers, and other stakeholders.
• Write and edit content for news media, social media, events, research announcements, and educational campaigns.
• Identify newsworthy stories, develop media angles, conduct proactive outreach, and build trusted relationships with reporters, influencers, and industry partners.
• Create storytelling opportunities using IBHS-exclusive research, testing, demonstrations, post-disaster investigations, and visual content.
• Support brand positioning and narrative development that reinforces IBHS as both a respected scientific authority and an approachable source of resilience guidance.
• Collaborate with researchers, product leaders, public policy professionals, executives, and creative contributors to develop coordinated communications initiatives.
• Partner with IBHS member companies by providing communications content, subject-matter expertise, and access to IBHS researchers.
• Coordinate communications initiatives with external organizations that share an interest in severe weather preparedness, wildfire mitigation, and resilient construction.
• Use media monitoring, social listening, and performance analytics to evaluate results and improve communications strategies.
• Maintain high standards for accuracy, consistency, AP style, brand voice, and editorial quality.
• Stay current on communications trends, emerging platforms, audience behaviors, and new approaches to storytelling.
• Provide communications support during severe weather events, wildfire activity, research demonstrations, and other time-sensitive organizational moments.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in communications, public relations, journalism, marketing, or a related field.
• At least five years of progressively responsible communications experience is preferred.
• Experience writing and editing content for multiple communications channels.
• Strong media relations experience, including story development, reporter outreach, and relationship building.
• Experience in executive communications, employee communications, social media, marketing communications, or integrated campaign development is preferred.
• Experience translating scientific, technical, or complex subject matter for public audiences is preferred.
• Advanced written and spoken English, including strong grammar, editing, proofreading, voice, and tone.
• Strong knowledge of AP style and experience applying it in professional communications.
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365.
• Familiarity with media relations and monitoring platforms such as Cision, Meltwater, or similar tools.
• Experience with social media publishing, listening, and measurement platforms.
• Familiarity with Adobe Creative Cloud or similar creative tools is a plus.
• Background in nonprofit communications, research or science communications, resilience or disaster preparedness, or insurance-related communications is preferred.
• Experience working with senior internal stakeholders such as executives, researchers, and public policy leaders is preferred.
• Eligibility to work in the United States.
• Availability to work some nights and weekends during severe weather events, wildfire activity, or other time-sensitive moments.

Benefits

• Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)
• Retirement Plan (401k, IRA)
• Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary & AD&D)
• Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick & Public Holidays)
• Family Leave (Maternity, Paternity)
• Short Term & Long Term Disability
• Training & Development