Manager, Public Engagement Common Ground USA

Team Summary

Common Ground USA (CG-USA) supports collaboration across differences to address our most significant challenges and to build an America where we can all belong and thrive. As an initiative of Search for Common Ground, we have 40 years’ experience in conflict settings worldwide, and know that disagreement is an opportunity to transform conflict into cooperation. It is how we can solve our most challenging problems. We know that most Americans want to overcome the divisions we face in our society. We know it takes courage – and that everyone has a role to play.

We are a dynamic, motivated, and diverse team of individuals committed to working across divides to generate locally-rooted, responsive, and sustainable win-win solutions to some of the nation's most seemingly intractable issues. The Public Engagement Manager will work with the entire team on internal and external communications efforts. They will also serve as a core member of the CG-USA team. 

Position Summary

The Public Engagement Manager leads CG-USA’s strategic communications, public affairs, and social media efforts to enhance impact, visibility, and engagement. This role shapes and manages CG-USA’s messaging, media relations, and digital storytelling, ensuring cohesive communication across internal and external audiences. The ideal candidate has soft skills in video editing and an understanding of working with production teams/contractors.

• Develops and executes a comprehensive communication strategy aligned with CG-USA’s mission.
• Oversees campaigns and messaging that promote CG-USA initiatives and community engagement efforts.
• Shapes and manages CG-USA’s policy positions to ensure consistency and clarity.
• Develops and distributes key media materials, including press releases and talking points as needed.

• Serves as the primary media contact, managing journalist relationships and press inquiries with the Director of Global Communications.
• Oversees the dissemination of information to external audiences to maintain CG-USA’s public presence.
• Coordinates with the Marketing team to email CG-USA listserv.

• Develops and implements a social media strategy to enhance engagement and brand visibility.
• Manages content creation, scheduling, and monitoring for platforms including LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram in collaboration with team members.
• Tracks and analyzes social media performance, optimizing strategy based on insights.
• Collaborates with the team to produce engaging multimedia content.
• Monitors Web traffic and makes minor edits to the site as needed.
• Oversees communications-related grants, ensuring compliance, reporting, and financial management.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Builds and maintains relationships with key stakeholders, including donors, partner organizations, policymakers, and grassroots activists.
• Represents CG-USA at public events, conferences, and forums to enhance the organization’s visibility and advocacy efforts.
• Develops engagement strategies that mobilize supporters, volunteers, and community advocates around CG-USA’s initiatives.

• Oversees communications-related grants, ensuring compliance, timely reporting, and financial management.
• Develops impact reports summarizing engagement metrics, media coverage, and campaign effectiveness.

• BS/BA with a minimum of nine (9) years of related work experience.   
• Experience in democracy, peace-building, advocacy, or other related fields.
• A strong track record of program management, including grant management
• A demonstrated ability to work with teammates, partners, leaders, and constituencies from different backgrounds and viewpoints
• A commitment to working across differences to build a more peaceful and just America, and a commitment to CG-USA and Search values
• A highly collaborative working style

• Manages overall strategy and vision. Provides functional and program/project management. Anticipates and plans for needs and takes action accordingly.
• Develops and maintains collaborative relationships with vendors, organizations, professional associations, partners, funders, and CG-USA’s network of experts. 
• Modifies a planned course of action in response to new information or new circumstances.
• Responds to changing circumstances and expectations readily.
• Articulates CG-USA program goals and objectives within and external to Search. Develops program objectives that reflect broader Search strategies and approaches.
• Provides input for standards across functions globally within Shared Services teams, focusing on a multicultural perspective that considers other cultures, viewpoints, and ways of doing things.
• Overcomes obstacles using ethical practices; formulates and evaluates morally and ethically justified solutions.
• Assesses risks and opportunities to lead decision makers to a favorable outcome.
• Checks the accuracy of one’s own and others’ work and sets up systematic checks and balances to support content and data integrity.
• Has knowledge of project management tools, including technology as resources for efficiency and reduction of stress.
• Works with employees to set and communicate performance standards that are specific and measurable.
• Anticipates the consequences of situations and plans accordingly.
• Analyzes the costs, benefits, risks, and chances for success in making a decision.
• Provides coaching and mentoring to staff.
• Remain alert and responsive to any safeguarding risks, acquire relevant knowledge and skills that will enable you to promote strong safeguarding practices, understand the safeguarding policy and procedures, and conduct yourself in a manner consistent with the Safeguarding Policy.

Location: 

Must be based in the United States, with a preference for the DC metro area. 

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements: 

Usual office environment conditions; ability to travel at least 20%

Standard work will take place remotely, but will require interfacing and attending in-person events in DC, Pennsylvania, and Texas. 

Occasional travel to other US locations will be required

Standard work hours are Eastern or Central time-zone business hours