Director, Internal Communications

Who We Are
International Justice Mission (IJM) is the global leader in protecting vulnerable people from violence around the world. Our team of over 1,200 professionals are at work worldwide in over 30 offices. Together we are on a mission to rescue millions, protect half a billion, and make justice unstoppable.
We are a global community that cares for one another. We believe that the way we work is as important as the results we achieve. We provide professional excellence with joy and celebration to all those we serve.
The Need
For over 25 years, IJM has pioneered work to protect vulnerable people from violence. In the last decade, IJM's Justice System Strengthening Projects have reduced slavery and violence by 50–85 percent for large populations in poverty — in nine out of nine cases. As we grow toward protecting 500 million people from violence, we're seeking a Director, Internal Communications.
The Director, Internal Communications will build IJM’s enterprise internal communications capability: the operating model, governance, channels, leader practices, change-communication discipline, and measurement system through which employees understand priorities, navigate change, and act with alignment.
This is a strategic builder role, not solely a communications production role. The Director will establish the systems, standards, and capabilities that enable leaders, managers, functions, and regions to communicate clearly, consistently, and effectively across IJM’s global matrix. The role will strengthen enterprise, operational, and change communications; improve employee understanding and adoption of major initiatives; and create intentional pathways for feedback.
In partnership with Global Technology Solutions, which owns IJM’s organization-wide AI and technology strategy, the Director will evaluate and recommend appropriate communication platforms, tools, and emerging technologies that improve clarity, accessibility, coordination, and employee experience.
This position is based in the Washington, DC area and is available to be hybrid (onsite Tuesdays & Thursdays). It reports to the Vice President, Employee Experience and requires current authorization to work in the United States. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position, now or in the future.
Responsibilities:
Strategy & Governance
Develop and lead IJM's global internal communications strategy, aligned to organizational priorities and employee needs;
Define a multi-year vision, operating model, governance framework, and roadmap for internal communications as an organizational capability;
Establish a small set of enterprise communication principles (e.g., clear, timely, truthful, respectful, audience-aware, two-way) that guide how the organization communicates;
Build systems that improve the flow of information, decisions, and feedback across the enterprise;
Establish a governance rhythm — including an enterprise communications calendar, sequencing review, and escalation path for high-impact messages — to prevent message overload and conflicting communications;
Define mandatory minimum standards for significant, cross-functional, or organization-impacting communications (major change rollouts, org-wide announcements, crisis communications), while preserving flexibility for teams, functions, and regions in day-to-day communications;
Advise senior leaders on communication effectiveness, organizational alignment, and change readiness;
Set standards that improve message consistency while reducing communication overload; and
Ensure employees have clear visibility into strategic priorities, key decisions, and mission impact.
Operational & Change Communications
Define standard pathways for how information and decisions move through the matrix, including manager cascade guidance, consultation expectations, and regional/local translation of enterprise messages;
Partner with functions and departments to strengthen communications around policies, processes, systems, and organizational change;
Build organizational capability in change communications and adoption strategy.
Develop tools and standards — templates, playbooks, audience mapping tools, cascade plans — that help leaders communicate change with clarity, consistency, and empathy, from strategy through sustainment; and
Establish listening and feedback mechanisms to gauge employee engagement and adjust communication approaches accordingly, including as the organization further adopts AI and other new technologies.
Communication Culture & Employee Experience
Shape communication norms that support collaboration, accountability, and transparency, including expectations for meeting norms, channel use, response times, and escalation practices;
Develop training and resources that strengthen everyday communication across meetings, leadership updates, escalation pathways, and cross-functional collaboration; and
Build shared expectations for healthy matrix collaboration, including timely follow-up and clarity in cross-functional exchanges.
Measurement & Continuous Improvement
Establish metrics and reporting that measure communication effectiveness, adoption, and organizational impact;
Use employee feedback and communication data to inform strategy and identify improvement opportunities; and
Establish and oversee an enterprise communication channel strategy — including a clear channel map defining the purpose of each major channel (e.g., IJM All email, All Hands, SharePoint, Teams, manager meetings, newsletters) — and evaluate and optimize platforms, tools, and emerging technologies, including AI, to improve effectiveness, consistency, and employee experience.
Partnership & Leadership
Serve as a trusted advisor to executives and leaders on communication strategy and execution;
Build strong partnerships across Global People Support, the Global Leadership Team, regional leadership, and functional teams; and
Lead and develop team members — including the Manager, Internal Communications — and external partners supporting the internal communications portfolio.
General Tasks
Participate in IJM’s community of spiritual formation.
Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience required; advanced degree in Communications, Organizational Development, Change Management, Journalism, Public Relations, Business Administration, or related field preferred;
8–10 years of progressive experience in internal communications, change communications, organizational effectiveness, employee engagement, or corporate communications, including experience in a global or matrixed environment;