Communications Manager

Washington, DC (Hybrid) | Full-Time | Exempt

Salary: $70,000 annually

About Pathways to Housing DC

Everyone deserves a place to call home.

Founded in 2004, Pathways to Housing DC (Pathways DC) provides home, health, and hope to more than 3,500 individuals each year who are experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness.

Leveraging 22 years of experience and a bold vision, Pathways DC programs and services include Homeless Street Outreach and support services at the Downtown DC Day Services Center; Housing Case Management; Outpatient Mental Health Treatment; a Youth Drop-In Center; Medical Respite Homes; and more. 

Our programs and services have a vast reach and impact--serving individuals with mental health challenges; women fleeing domestic violence; Veterans fighting new battles following the traumas of war; and youth exiting the foster care system with no real place to ever call home. We know that with the right resources at the right time, homelessness in our community is solvable. 

As the originator of the Housing First model in the region, Pathways DC is proud to provide housing across all eight Wards in Washington, DC and with an expanding footprint in Montgomery County, MD. Our scope helps to promote client choice and self-determination in our work and builds a high housing retention success rate each year. 

The Opportunity

Behind every program at Pathways DC are people, relationships, and stories that help explain how Housing First works. As our Communications Manager, you’ll help bring that work to audiences across the DC region and beyond.

Working closely with the Director of Institutional Advancement and development colleagues, you’ll develop and carry out a communications plan that builds awareness of Pathways DC, engages supporters, and supports fundraising. You’ll manage our digital channels and create content that helps donors, partners, and community members understand our programs and the people we serve.

This newly created position offers room to shape how we communicate. We’re looking for someone who enjoys finding a story, asking questions, and turning what they learn into clear, engaging content. You should also enjoy the work that keeps communications running: planning a content calendar, coordinating reviews, organizing assets, and getting materials out on time.

You’ll work with colleagues across programs and locations, spending time in the field to gather stories, photos, and video. You’ll bring care to how those stories are told, respecting each participant’s dignity, privacy, and choices.

The development team works remotely, with occasional in-person work at the DC office, program sites, and events.

At Pathways DC, you'll join a mission-driven team committed to ending homelessness and helping individuals achieve housing stability, recovery, and improved quality of life. Every day, you'll have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the lives of the people we serve.

Key Responsibilities

Plan and manage communications

• Work with the Director of Institutional Advancement to develop and carry out a communications plan, aligning outreach with organizational and fundraising priorities.
• Manage a content calendar across email, social media, our website, publications, and events.
• Coordinate content requests, reviews, approvals, and publication deadlines with colleagues across the organization.
• Maintain a consistent organizational voice and visual identity, and develop practical guidelines and templates for staff.
• Keep website content accurate and current, including program information, stories, events, and opportunities to support Pathways DC.
• Track and report on Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for all digital activity, including website traffic, email open rates, and social media growth.
• Use analytics to adjust strategy, maximize donor conversion rates, and improve audience reach. 

Develop content and tell our story

• Act as the brand guardian, ensuring consistent messaging, tone, and visual identity across all platforms.
• Write and edit newsletters, website content, social media posts, impact reports, presentations, and other public-facing materials.
• Build relationships with program colleagues to identify stories and gather information from across the organization.
• Translate program data and complex information into clear, accessible content for various audiences.
• Interview staff and program participants, following organizational consent and confidentiality practices.
• Capture and edit photography and video at programs and events for use across communications channels.
• Ensure stories and images respect participants’ preferences and avoid stigmatizing or sensational language.

Engage audiences and support fundraising

• Manage email and social media communications, tailoring content and formats to each channel.
• Partner with the Individual Giving Manager and other development colleagues on fundraising appeals, donor updates, and campaign materials.
• Develop communications and materials for fundraising and community events, including invitations, promotional content, signage, and follow-up.
• Track newsletter, website, and social media performance and use the results to improve content and outreach.
• Test new approaches to reaching and engaging donors, partners, and community members.

Coordinate design and production

• Design and produce materials using tools such as Canva and Adobe Creative Cloud.
• Maintain an organized, accessible archive of photography, video, design files, templates, and completed materials.
• In partnership with the Director of Institutional Advancement, coordinate freelancers and vendors, as needed, for photography, video, design, printing, and other production needs.
• Manage production timelines and review materials for accuracy, readability, accessibility, and consistency.
• Use technology, including AI tools where appropriate, to support drafting, editing, and recurring workflows. Verify AI-assisted work and follow organizational standards for confidentiality and responsible use of information.

Qualifications

We recognize that relevant experience comes from a wide range of personal, professional, and educational opportunities. We take a broad view of each candidate’s experience and do not require a particular degree.

Required qualifications

• At least three years of relevant communications, marketing, journalism, or content development experience.
• A minimum of a High School Diploma/GED
• Strong writing and editing skills, with experience adapting content for different audiences and channels.
• Experience managing digital communications, including email, social media, and website content.
• Experience creating visual materials using Canva, Adobe Creative Cloud, or comparable tools.
• Ability to capture and edit photos and short videos for digital communications.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects, coordinate feedback, and meet deadlines.
• Comfort interviewing people and working with colleagues to gather stories and information.
• Sound judgment when handling sensitive information, participant stories, and public-facing communications.
• Ability to work independently, take initiative, and stay in communication with colleagues.
• Interest in Pathways DC’s mission and willingness to learn about Housing First.
• Ability to attend occasional in-person meetings, program visits, and events in the Washington, DC area.

Nice to have, but not required:

• Experience with nonprofit communications or fundraising campaigns.
• Familiarity with Meta Business Suite, Adobe InDesign, email marketing platforms, or website content management systems.
• Experience using communications metrics to improve content and audience engagement.
• Familiarity with accessible design and digital content practices.
• Experience working in housing, homelessness services, behavioral health, or a related field.

Benefits:

Beyond the rewarding work of seeing lives transformed every day, Pathways DC is proud to offer a comprehensive benefits package to our staff, including:

• 15 days of paid vacation to start
• 11 paid holidays
• 10 paid sick/wellness days
• Health insurance for individuals, partners, and families
• Employer-sponsored Health Reimbursement Account (HRA)
• Dental and vision insurance
• Employer-paid short and long-term disability insurance
• Employer-paid life insurance
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer match
• Employer-paid Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Optional employee-paid benefits, including legal coverage, and pre-tax commuter benefits

To Apply

Please submit a resume and cover letter describing your interest and relevant experience through ADP Workforce Now. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and we encourage you to apply early by November 15, 2026.

Pathways to Housing DC is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in the workplace. We encourage candidates from all backgrounds and lived experiences to apply.