Communications Manager

Acumen is looking for a strategic Communications Manager with a minimum of 7 years experience to lead local marketing, audience engagement, and recruitment efforts for Acumen’s Green RISE program across East and West Africa. We are looking for an excellent communicator with demonstrated experience driving multi-channel campaigns and translating complex ideas into compelling, accessible content that mobilizes audiences. This role is located in East Africa or West Africa. We work in a hybrid model, 3 days in the office per week (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday). 

About Acumen
Acumen is a global force of entrepreneurs, investors, philanthropists, and social innovators working together to build a world based on dignity. We were founded by Jacqueline Novogratz on the radical idea that business, when cultivated with moral imagination, can break the cycle of poverty. We invest in transformational companies, build sustainable markets, and prepare leaders with the tools they need to create a more just and inclusive future. Since 2001, we have scaled companies and shaped markets in some of the hardest-to-reach communities on the planet, impacting over half-a-billion lives. To learn more visit acumen.org.

About the Marketing and Communications Team
The Marketing and Communications team are the guides and stewards of our brand voice. They shape how, when and where it comes to life. As strategists, writers, designers, data practitioners and makers, they seek effective and creative ways to inform, empower and meaningfully connect with our audiences globally. Through audience definition, campaign strategies, content, PR, events and partnerships they drive visibility and memorability of our thought leadership, insights and brand story.

About the Role
This role will lead strategy, planning, and execution of communications and marketing strategies to drive visibility, recruitment, and participant amplification for a 5-year program that will support social enterprises in the African green economy that are creating and improving dignified work opportunities for women and youth. Sitting on Acumen’s Global Communications team, and working cross-functionally with regional program teams and external partners, the role will deliver multi-channel campaigns and content, manage communications deliverables, and support systems and processes that enable effective recruitment and engagement across local and global contexts.  Working in close partnership with the Program Lead and reporting to Project Lead Marketing Manager, this role will also lead storytelling and impact amplification efforts that elevate the voices of green economy innovators and track participant journeys over time.

You are experienced in developing strategy, messaging and execution across a full spectrum of communication channels and formats - including events. You are a creative and strategic thinker with persuasive communications skills and work experience in climate or gender focused initiatives.

Accountabilities include:

• Lead audience discovery efforts to deeply understand audiences and stakeholder groups in East and West Africa.
• Coordinate with Acumen’s Global Communications team to develop resonant recruitment messaging and ensure local communications are accessible, inclusive and reflective of target populations.
• Lead the development, execution, and optimization of recruitment campaigns across digital channels (email, social, website) and partnership networks to drive program visibility and qualified applicants.
• Build and manage communications calendar aligned to key program milestones. 
• Oversee development and optimization of digital experiences such as landing pages and interactive reports.
• Implement A/B testing, performance tracking, and data analytics to monitor campaign performance and optimize audience engagement.
• Partner with program teams to collect impact stories and participant experiences, including coordination of annual photo and video production shoots.
• Support Team Leads with content development and media engagement, including drafting and refining thought leadership, coordinating interviews, and managing engagement across print, digital, social media, and broadcast (TV/radio) platforms.
• Work closely with Acumen’s Global Communications and Insights teams to identify key learnings to share in public-facing assets.
• Oversee production of knowledge sharing content, such as reports, blogs, landing pages, and lead promotion to key audiences.
• Lead/partner with local teams in planning, execution, and promotion of in-person convenings to disseminate insights.
• Manage regional creative partners and vendors, including scopes of work, contracts, timelines, budgets, and quality control.
• Ensure alignment with Acumen’s global brand, tone, and communication standards.

Skills and Qualifications:

• Minimum of 7 years professional experience.
• Experience working in African markets, ideally leading or supporting program recruitment efforts in a nonprofit, education, or impact-driven context.
• Experience and/or demonstrated passion for work in climate, youth livelihoods, or gender equity preferred.
• Experience in writing strategy and messaging, across a full spectrum of communication channels and formats.
• Someone who enjoys working collaboratively on projects and understands the needs of the stakeholders and organization. 
• Ability to translate complex ideas into compelling concepts.
• Ability to work through ambiguity and deliver results.
• Ability to partner with colleagues at all levels of the organization.
• Creative and Strategic Thinker
• Self-reflective and aligned with Acumen values.
• Permanent work authorization for either Kenya or Nigeria. 

NOTE : We request that you please submit resumes in PDF format, not a word document

Compensation
Acumen offers a competitive compensation package commensurate with experience.

Deadline
The deadline to apply for this position is Tuesday 20th January but candidates are encouraged to apply early, as applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

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