Communications Manager

Key Outcomes:

• Consistently identify, support, and drive the biggest people power campaign moments, generating strong reach, and wide amplification across both social and traditional media, centring our amazing petition starters.

• Increase awareness of Change.org and the campaigns on the platform among key audiences including media and decision-makers.

• Implement the global strategy across owned and earned media. Collaborate with other functional leads to hone a global brand strategy, contributing to department strategy, goals and culture.

  • Set and deliver a national media strategy that consistently secures top-tier coverage for Change.org petitions spanning the full range of political perspectives, demonstrating a high-impact, open platform for everyday citizens.

  • Identify and amplify opportunities for Change.org petitions to gain traction on social media, driving virality and cultural relevance while expanding reach and engagement across diverse audiences.

• Oversee and grow a network of high-leverage relationships, including senior editors, producers, journalists, decision makers, politicians, civic organisations and influencers to enhance both the immediate reach of campaigns and the long-term visibility of the platform.

• Maintain a campaign portfolio that is strongly aligned with brand principles and reflects ideological diversity, fostering trust and openness across a wide range of audiences.

The most important core competencies for the role are:

• Deep understanding of diverse audience segments and their needs in Italy

• Deep and current understanding of both conservative and progressive media landscape, with strategic insights into the most influential and relevant channels to amplify our brand and message. Along with existing connections with key journalists, influencers, civil society, officials and politicians, who could help tell the story of our Petition Starters

• Exceptional, high-trust network of key media decision-makers – including senior editors, executive producers, influential journalists. Proven ability to mobilize networks to secure high-impact coverage.

• Extensive executive, corporate and crisis communication skills, both written and verbal, with a track record of influencing diverse audiences, from internal leadership to global media.

• Ability to drive strategic alignment across cross-functional teams and external partners. Ability to navigate complex stakeholder environments and influence at the highest levels to advance Change.org’s brand, reputation, and impact.

• Strategic mindset, with innovative ideas around how to use digital campaigning to power local and national campaigns and amplify the voice of the petition starter.

• Willingness to work across differences, including providing support to policy-compliant campaigns that you may not agree with, but that align with Change.org’s commitment to being an open platform to all voices.

• Ability to demonstrate strong autonomy by proactively identifying opportunities for improvement, taking ownership of tasks, and driving projects to completion with minimal supervision.

• Using insight, performance data, and AI tools to plan, pitch, and adapt for maximum impact. You are building systems and tools, such as testing frameworks or lightweight automations, that improve quality and efficiency across the team.

• Team Leadership: Proven ability to recruit, build, and lead high-performing teams with clarity, inspiration, and care.

• English proficiency (Minimum B2)

Target experience:

• 10+ years of experience across one or more of the following: media, comms, brand, public relations, campaigning

• Proven experience leading communications in a mission-driven, social impact or journalism context, with a deep understanding of values-based storytelling

• Proven track record of shaping media narratives and leading successful engagement with top-tier and agenda-setting media outlets that reach tens of millions weekly

• Demonstrated success in securing and sustaining high-profile media coverage that aligns with organizational goals, mitigates reputational risk, and drives meaningful brand and mission outcomes.

• Demonstrated success in managing social media channels for a brand, company or organization

• History of leading and mentoring high-performing comms teams, building scalable systems, and managing complex, cross-functional initiatives that integrate media, messaging, and campaign goals.

This is a full time position based in Italy, with a preference for the cities: Rome, Milan.