Communications and External Affairs Manager

Title: Communications and External Affairs Manager

Element: Development & Communications 

Manager: Senior Director of Communications and Outreach

Type: Full-Time

Location: Pasadena, CA

Job Summary

The Communications and External Affairs Manager supports the Giant Magellan Telescope’s strategic communications, executive communications, media relations, and government affairs initiatives to advance the observatory’s institutional priorities and external engagement objectives.

Reporting to the Senior Director of Communications and Outreach, this position serves as a key liaison between communications and government affairs activities, helping ensure consistent messaging and coordinated engagement with policymakers, federal agencies, consortium partners, media, institutional stakeholders, and external audiences.

The position develops communications materials across multiple platforms, supports executive messaging, coordinates Washington, D.C. engagement activities, manages digital communications projects and external contractors, and assists with rapid-response communications, media relations, and stakeholder outreach.

Job Duties

Strategic Communications

• Support implementation of GMTO’s strategic communications and external affairs strategy.
• Develop and edit press releases, speeches, newsletters, presentations, talking points, briefing materials, fact sheets, reports, website content, articles, and digital communications.
• Translate complex scientific, technical, and policy information into clear communications.
• Coordinate messaging across communications, executive leadership, development, education and outreach, and government affairs.
• Support rapid-response communications and issue management.

Government Affairs & External Relations

• Coordinate Washington, D.C. engagement activities supporting federal relations and advocacy initiatives, including Capitol Hill visits, meetings with congressional offices and federal agencies, executive briefings, logistics, communications materials, and stakeholder follow-up.
• Develop congressional one-pagers, leave-behind materials, briefing books, advocacy collateral, and policy communications.
• Track stakeholder follow-up and coordinate with external government affairs consultants.

Media Relations & Digital Communications

• Support media inquiries, interviews, press materials, and media monitoring.
• Develop digital content across websites, newsletters, email campaigns, and social media.
• Monitor communications performance metrics and recommend improvements.

Cross-Functional Integration

• Partner with development to align donor communications, case for support messaging, and stewardship materials with broader institutional narratives.
• Support major gift cultivation through tailored materials and executive briefing support.
• Ensure alignment between government affairs messaging and philanthropic positioning.

Project Coordination & Management

• Maintain communications calendars and coordinate multiple communications and external affairs projects simultaneously.
• Maintain organized repositories of messaging, briefing materials, communications assets, and stakeholder interactions, utilizing CRM systems to support stakeholder engagement, communications tracking, and reporting.
• Manage communications, public relations, government affairs, digital media, creative, photography, video production, and other external consultants and contractors.
• Develop scopes of work, coordinate procurement activities, manage vendors and consultants, review deliverables, and monitor project schedules and budgets to ensure high-quality outcomes.
• Track and support management of communications and external affairs budgets, including annual planning for communications-related expenditures.

Qualifications (Required)

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Political Science, Public Policy, Marketing, Public Administration, or related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in communications, public affairs, government relations, or strategic communications.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and verbal communication skills.
• Strong understanding of digital communications strategies, platforms, analytics, and industry best practices.
• Experience producing executive communications and briefing materials.
• Strong organizational and project management skills.
• Experience managing contractors, consultants, and external vendors.
• Ability to synthesize technical or scientific information into compelling communications.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Willingness to travel domestically, including Washington, D.C.

Qualifications (Preferred)

• Experience in scientific, engineering, research, higher education, or nonprofit organizations
• Experience supporting congressional relations, federal agencies, or public policy initiatives.
• Familiarity with the National Science Foundation and federal research funding.
• Knowledge of astronomy or large scientific infrastructure projects.
• Spanish language proficiency is desirable.

Working Conditions

• Primarily office-based with hybrid work flexibility as approved. This role is expected to work onsite in Pasadena at least 2 days per week.
• Regular domestic travel (estimated 20-30%), including Washington, D.C.
• Occasional evening or weekend work supporting events, media activities, or congressional engagement.

Physical Requirements

No special requirements

Direct Reports

None

Featured Benefits

• Medical Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• 401(k)
• Dental Insurance
• Disability Insurance

Hiring Range

$115,000-$145,000

The salary for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, experience, education, and training.

We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you have the right to request an accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access our career center as a result of your disability. To request an accommodation, contact a Giant Magellan Telescope Corporation Human Resources Representative.