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Senior Communications Manager Jobs in Reston, VA

Credence

Senior Communications Manager

Washington, DC · On-site

The Senior Communications Manager oversees public-facing content, stakeholder engagement, and digital content strategy for Refugee Resettlement and Unaccompanied Alien Children (UAC) programs.

Sunrise Senior Living

Communications Manager

Mclean, VA · On-site

Why Join Sunrise Senior Living At Sunrise Senior Living, we believe meaningful work starts with ... As a Communications Manager, you help shape and deliver strategic communications that strengthen ...

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All JobsCommunications JobsSenior Communications Manager JobsSenior Communications Manager Jobs in Reston, VA

Senior Communications Manager information

See Reston, VA salary details

$47.9K

$114K

$190.4K

How much do senior communications manager jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 26, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior communications manager in Reston, VA is $114,018.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $89,000.00 and $147,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the highest paying job in communication?

In the field of communication, executive roles such as Chief Communications Officer (CCO) or Vice President of Communications tend to be the highest paying positions, often earning six-figure salaries. These roles require extensive experience, strategic leadership skills, and often involve overseeing corporate reputation, media relations, and internal communications at the executive level.

Is a PR manager a stressful job?

A Senior Communications Manager often faces stress due to tight deadlines, high visibility, and the need to manage multiple stakeholders. The role requires strong communication skills, crisis management, and adaptability, which can contribute to a high-pressure environment. However, workload and stress levels vary depending on the organization and industry context.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Senior Communications Manager, and why are they important?

A Senior Communications Manager needs expertise in strategic communication, content development, media relations, and often a bachelor's or master's degree in communications or a related field. Familiarity with tools like media monitoring platforms, content management systems, and analytics software is typically required. Exceptional leadership, crisis management, and interpersonal skills help them effectively guide teams and build strong stakeholder relationships. These abilities are essential for crafting compelling messages, protecting brand reputation, and driving organizational objectives.

What are some common challenges faced by Senior Communications Managers when aligning messaging across multiple departments?

Senior Communications Managers often encounter challenges in ensuring consistent messaging across various departments, each with its own priorities and communication styles. Balancing the need for unified branding with the unique goals of marketing, HR, and executive leadership can require strong stakeholder management and negotiation skills. Regular cross-functional meetings, clear communication guidelines, and a proactive approach to feedback help address these complexities and maintain message alignment.

What does a senior communications manager do?

A senior communications manager develops and implements communication strategies to promote an organization’s message, manage media relations, and ensure consistent branding. They oversee content creation, coordinate with other departments, and often use tools like media monitoring software to measure effectiveness. Strong leadership, writing skills, and industry knowledge are essential for this role.

How much does a senior communications manager earn?

A senior communications manager typically earns between $70,000 and $130,000 annually, depending on experience, industry, and location. They often have strong writing, strategic planning, and media relations skills, and may hold certifications such as APR or CMP.

What is the difference between Senior Communications Manager vs Communications Director?

AspectSenior Communications ManagerCommunications Director
CredentialsBachelor's degree in Communications, PR, or related field; 5+ years experienceSimilar credentials; often 8+ years experience and leadership training
Work EnvironmentCollaborates with marketing, PR teams; manages campaignsOversees entire communications department; strategic planning
Employer & Industry UsageCommon in corporate, nonprofit, government sectorsUsed in larger organizations, corporations, agencies
Search & Comparison IntentPeople comparing roles for career growth or job requirementsIndividuals seeking senior leadership or executive roles

The main difference between a Senior Communications Manager and a Communications Director lies in scope and seniority. The Senior Communications Manager typically handles campaign execution and team collaboration, while the Communications Director oversees the entire communications strategy and department leadership. Both roles require similar credentials, but the Director position involves more strategic planning and higher-level responsibilities.

What are popular job titles related to Senior Communications Manager jobs in Reston, VA? For Senior Communications Manager jobs in Reston, VA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Senior Communications Manager jobs in Reston, VA look for? The top searched job categories for Senior Communications Manager jobs in Reston, VA are:
What cities near Reston, VA are hiring for Senior Communications Manager jobs? Cities near Reston, VA with the most Senior Communications Manager job openings:
Senior Communications Manager jobs near you
Infographic showing various Senior Communications Manager job openings in Reston, VA as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 85% Full Time, 10% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $114,018 per year, or $54.8 per hour.

Senior Communications Manager

Future Currents

Washington, DC • On-site, Remote

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 19 days ago

Job description

Position Title: Senior Communications Manager

Location: Remote, with periodic travel

Reports to: Director of Communications

Status: Full-time, exempt


Position Summary

Future Currents has an immediate opening for a Senior Communications Manager. The Senior Communications Manager will work closely with the Communications Director to develop and execute communications strategies that advance Future Currents' organizational and programmatic goals. They will help the organization maintain strong relationships with current funders, partner organizations, and others and raise its profile with new audiences.

This job requires planning, managing, and implementing a broad range of communications tasks in a deadline-driven environment. The Senior Communications Manager will develop, edit, and proofread a range of written and digital content. They will work with the Communications Director to develop and implement project-specific communication campaigns (which may include earned and social media); update and maintain websites (organizational and project-specific); work with program staff and fellows to create and share reports and other materials; support the creation and distribution of a quarterly newsletter; and efficiently use Future Currents' communications tools, including a CRM/database and email platform. 

The Communications Manager will work with the Communications Director to develop Future Currents' strategic communication campaign plans, promote the Future Currents brand, assist with Future Currents events, and drive direct outreach strategies including email and news updates. Finally, the Senior Communications Manager will provide general communications expertise and assistance that supports Future Currents' mission and goals.

As part of a busy two-person team, this individual will serve as a resource for many projects. The right candidate will be a strategic thinker, creative, flexible, personable, and deadline-driven.

About Future Currents

Future Currents creates the spaces for movement organizations to build resilient relationships, tackle pressing challenges, prepare for possible conditions, and map our way to the just and joyful future we deserve. We focus on the knotty, chronic, systemic, and often scary obstacles in our daily lives, whether they be authoritarian threats to our democracy, the shifting economic paradigm, or the need within movements to retool and reshape our infrastructure to meet changing conditions.

Future Currents encourages movement leaders and organizations to operate outside the dominant modes of thinking that currently limit the scope of possibility. We use a mix of creative methods - including facilitated immersive group convenings, scenario planning exercises, and resources that build the muscles of preparation and imagination - to spark new understandings, analyses, and strategies that open up the potential for long-term change. Future Currents is a project of New Venture Fund (NVF), a 501(c)(3) public charity that incubates new and innovative public-interest projects and grant-making programs.

Responsibilities and Tasks

Organizational Communications

  • Co-manage the development and distribution of a quarterly newsletter.
  • Maintain the Future Currents website and other project-specific websites.
  • Manage our email list.
  • Collaborate with colleagues across the organization in ongoing monitoring and evaluation of impact to support the development of an annual impact report.
  • Continually look for new channels through which to deliver our messages, maximize media trends, and build incremental awareness of Future Currents and our project work.

Supporting Programmatic Work

  • Craft and manage communications strategies with clear benchmarks for program projects with other staff and partners.
  • Create a wide range of content that will educate, inspire, and motivate Future Currents' audiences.
  • Copy edit and format materials.
  • Shepherd reports and other materials (including project-specific websites) through the development, design, and distribution process, including managing vendors, timelines, and budgets.
  • Work with program staff and fellows to craft and distribute emails about upcoming events or other news to share with our mailing list.
  • Draft op-eds/opinion pieces, and the occasional press release or media advisory.
  • Develop media/social media strategies and products that will elevate the organization's profile and work.
  • Execute earned media outreach, including direct pitches and relationship building with national and local reporters.
  • Serve as a thought partner in good communication with staff, fellows, and other experts to identify communications opportunities.

Development and Grant Reports

  • Support the creation of funding proposals and grant reports.

Perform other duties as assigned.

 Education, Experience, Knowledge, Skills and Ability 

  • 5-7 years of relevant work experience, preference for nonprofit experience. 
  • Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work well on a team.
  • Excellent writing and editing skills, including the ability to write engaging content quickly in many voices for different audiences across different platforms, including a website, e-mail outreach, and social media. AP Style knowledge preferred.
  • A demonstrated understanding of paid, earned, and social media strategy and execution, including writing op-eds/opinion pieces and pitching.
  • Thorough knowledge of Google Docs/MS Word, Google Slides/PowerPoint, and Excel.
  • Experience with Squarespace or similar website hosting platforms, Adobe Creative Cloud, MailChimp or similar platform, and Canva strongly preferred. Experience with monday.com or similar CRM platform is a plus.
  • Ability to manage a slate of programs, projects, and vendor relationships.
  • Entrepreneurial spirit, strong problem-solving and creative thinking skills.
  • Flexibility and an openness to evolving responsibilities.
  • Attention to detail.
  • Ability to take initiative and a commitment to punctuality and on-time delivery.
  • Ability to use technology to collaborate with colleagues and manage work.
  • Excellent organizational, planning, and multi-task management skills.
  • Commitment to leading with kindness and collaborating respectfully and productively with colleagues, partners, and others.

Benefits: Comprehensive benefits package that includes 100% employer-paid health, dental, and vision insurance for employees (and their families). Employees are able to enroll in 401k retirement plan and are eligible for a 3% automatic contribution and up to a 3% employer match on 401k contributions. Employees are also eligible for pre-tax transportation benefits. Employees will receive 160 hours of vacation time, 80 hours of health leave, up to 2 days of casual leave, and 20 hours of volunteer leave annually. Employees will also receive 13 paid holidays throughout the calendar year. Employees are eligible for 12 weeks of paid family and medical leave after 90 days of employment.

Hiring Statement

Future Currents is a project of New Venture Fund (NVF), a 501(c)(3) public charity that incubates new and innovative public-interest projects and grant-making programs. NVF is committed to attracting, developing and retaining exceptional people, and to creating a work environment that is dynamic, rewarding and enables each of us to realize our potential. NVF's work environment is safe and open to all employees and partners, respecting the full spectrum of race, color, religious creed, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, political affiliation, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, and all other classifications protected by law in the locality and/or state in which you are working.

E-Verify

NVF participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with employees' Form I-9 information to confirm authorization to work in the United States. Job candidates and employees authorized to work may not be discriminated against on the basis of national origin or citizenship status. 

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