Role Overview
The Manager – Communications & Multimedia will head Bala Vikasa’s integrated communications function, responsible for shaping the organization’s narrative, strengthening its brand identity, and amplifying the visibility and impact of its programs and initiatives.
The role will oversee the Strategic Communications, Multimedia Production, and Digital Platforms & Outreach capabilities, ensuring that storytelling, visual production, and digital engagement work together to effectively communicate Bala Vikasa’s work to diverse audiences including communities, partners, donors, and the public.
Working closely with program teams and organizational leadership, the Manager will guide the development of communication strategies, oversee multimedia content production, manage digital outreach initiatives, and build systems and processes that enable the communications unit to deliver high-quality, consistent, and impactful communication outputs.
Key Responsibilities
Strategy & Planning
- Develop the organization-wide communications strategy and quarterly plans aligned to program outcomes, fundraising goals, and market positioning.
- Define brand and message architecture (umbrella + verticals + sister concerns) and ensure consistent voice across channels.
- Create campaign roadmaps (brand awareness, traffic, lead generation, demand/sales enablement) with clear goals, objectives, and outcomes
- Craft narrative arcs and support program teams with communications inputs for effective stakeholder engagement
Branding and PR
- Own brand guidelines, templates, and usage across internal teams and partners.
- Build and manage media relations; develop press kits, releases, op-eds, and event communications.
- Coordinate communications for conferences, workshops, masterclasses, expos, symposiums, and community events
- Lead reputation and issue/crisis communications
Content & Collateral Development
- Lead the production of high-quality collaterals for visibility, stakeholder engagement, marketing, and PR: proposals, donor/impact reports, brochures, one-pagers, presentations, case studies, success stories, annual report sections, factsheets, policy briefs, video scripts/edits, podcasts, and social content.
- Lead the development of Development Support Communication activities for development programs and the production of various IEC materials
- Establish and enforce editorial and quality standards; manage review/approval workflows.
Digital Promotions & Performance Marketing
- Own the web/digital footprint (websites/landing pages, social media handles, SEO, analytics, automation, etc).
- Plan and run digital campaigns (Meta/LinkedIn/Google, email, retargeting) for awareness, traffic, lead generation, and program/course/event marketing;
- Build dashboards for funnel visibility (impressions → engagement → leads/registrations → opportunities/support); drive data-informed optimization and experimentation.
Knowledge Management and Thought Leadership
- Support in translating program experience into knowledge products: toolkits, guides, playbooks, templates, training modules, casebooks, and research-informed publications.
- Curate and package internal know-how into assets usable by partners, funders, and wider ecosystems; contribute to relevant research studies.
- Collaborate with M&E to convert results/learning into compelling narratives and visuals.
Capacity Building (Internal & External)
- Deliver training and masterclasses for staff, partners, entrepreneurs, and community leaders on impact communication, storytelling, brand building, content, digital marketing, and stakeholder engagement.
Team Leadership & Vendor Management
- Build a high-performing Communications & Multimedia Unit: recruit, onboard, mentor, and conduct performance reviews using clear KRAs and KPIs
- Plan workloads and capacity; supervise in-house creators and external agencies/freelancers.
- Foster a culture of discipline, ownership, creativity, inclusivity, and continuous learning.
- Manage budgets, procurement processes, scope of work for external contracts.
Measurement & Reporting
- Define qualitative and quantitative indicators for communications effectiveness across channels and programs
- Produce periodic reports: website/social audits, campaign performance, content marketing, PR/media coverage, and activity/deliverable trackers.
- Provide real-time visibility through dashboards and routine reviews for programs and leadership.
- Translate insights into decisions on strategy, budgets, and capability development
Systems, Processes & Documentation
- Design and maintain standardized intake/requisition workflows, SLAs, and status tracking for communications work.
- Build and govern a centralized, cloud-based asset library (brand kits, templates, raw edits, masters, reports)
- Institutionalize documentation: process notes/SOPs, briefs, post-mortems, and campaign logs
Candidate Qualification
- Master’s degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Marketing, Development Studies, Media Studies, or a related field.
- 8–12 years of professional experience in communications, public relations, digital marketing, or strategic storytelling.
- Demonstrated experience developing and implementing communications strategies for organizations, institutions, or development initiatives.
- Experience managing integrated communication functions including content development, digital campaigns, PR, and brand management.
- Experience working in development, social impact, training institutions, or mission-driven organizations is highly desirable.
- Proven experience leading teams and managing communication projects involving multiple stakeholders.
- Experience working with external agencies, media partners, and creative professionals.
Skills and Competencies
- Strategic Communication: Ability to design and implement integrated communication strategies aligned with organizational goals and audience needs.
- Brand & Narrative Development: Strong capability in shaping brand positioning, message architecture, and institutional storytelling.
- Content & Editorial Leadership: Excellent writing, editing, and storytelling skills with the ability to translate program impact into compelling communication assets.
- Public Relations & Media Engagement: Experience managing media relationships, press engagement, and reputation management.
- Digital Communication & Campaigns: Understanding of digital platforms, campaign planning, audience engagement, and performance analytics.
- Knowledge Translation: Ability to convert program learning, research insights, and field experiences into knowledge products and thought leadership outputs.
- Leadership & Team Management: Experience leading multidisciplinary communications teams and managing external agencies or vendors.
- Stakeholder Collaboration: Strong interpersonal skills to work effectively with leadership, program teams, partners, and external stakeholders.
- Systems & Operational Discipline: Ability to establish communication workflows, documentation practices, and performance tracking systems.
