Position: Communications Manager
Organization: Florida Debate Initiative, Inc. (FDI)
Reports to: Senior Communications Strategist / FDI Leadership
Location: Orlando Area – Office, Remote & Event-Based, with Statewide Travel
Status: Full-Time Employee
Compensation: $50,000 per year with benefits package

Overview

The Florida Debate Initiative seeks a full-time Communications Manager based in the Orlando area to serve as the organization’s day-to-day communications staff member. This is a hands-on role for a strong writer and highly organized communications professional with two to four years of experience across social media, digital content, event communications, and the fast-paced needs of a growing statewide organization.

This is not a traditional 9-to-5 desk job. The Communications Manager must be comfortable with nontraditional hours—including occasional evenings, weekends, and statewide travel tied to FDI events, trainings, tournaments, and major deadlines.

The role works closely with FDI’s Senior Communications Strategist, who leads senior-level strategy, messaging, brand positioning, and major announcements, and helps coordinate with FDI’s outside creative and web firm.

Key Responsibilities

Day-to-Day Communications Execution

• Materials: Draft, edit, and prepare email blasts, newsletters, social captions, website updates, event promotions, program descriptions, letters, talking points, and stakeholder communications.
• Consistency: Maintain FDI’s voice, tone, branding, and messaging; proofread for clarity, grammar, accuracy, and mission alignment.
• Coordination: Support communications plans established with the Senior Communications Strategist and help a decentralized team meet deadlines.

Writing, Storytelling & Content Development

• Highlights: Draft student, coach, educator, volunteer, and program highlights, as well as content for advocacy, partner announcements, and statewide initiatives.
• Story Gathering: Collect quotes, photos, stories, and updates from staff, coaches, teachers, students, families, and partners; turn program information into engaging public content.
• Media Support: Assist with press releases, media advisories, and local story pitches under the Senior Communications Strategist’s guidance.

Social Media & Digital Engagement

• Posting: Create, schedule, and post content across Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X/Twitter, YouTube, and other channels.
• Engagement: Monitor comments, messages, tags, and amplification opportunities; maintain content calendars tied to programs, events, and deadlines.
• Content: Create graphics, reels, short-form video, photo posts, event recaps, and partner recognition; track performance and identify what resonates with audiences.

Website, Design & Digital Tools

• Website: Make routine website updates so program information, applications, deadlines, and resources remain accurate; coordinate larger projects with the outside web firm.
• Design: Create basic graphics in Canva or a similar platform; maintain organized digital files, photos, videos, logos, and templates.
• Email Marketing: Support campaigns through Mailchimp, Constant Contact, or similar tools, keeping materials timely, polished, and on-brand.

Event Communications & Field Content

• On-Site: Attend select FDI events, trainings, tournaments, and partner events—including some evenings and weekends—traveling across Florida as needed.
• Capture: Gather photos, video, quotes, and social content when a professional is unavailable; prepare promotional materials, signage copy, coverage, and recaps.
• Stories: Identify compelling student and educator stories to share across FDI platforms.

Media, Public Relations & Partner Support

• Outreach: Assist with media outreach, press lists, local pitches, and community announcements; support advocacy communications and organizational updates.
• Materials: Help prepare materials for elected officials, education leaders, partners, donors, schools, and families; represent FDI professionally in public settings.

Project Management & Team Coordination

• Trackers: Manage timelines, project trackers, content calendars, deadlines, and deliverables across programs, events, and campaigns.
• Coordination: Work with staff, consultants, vendors, designers, web professionals, and photographers; keep a decentralized team on schedule.

Qualifications

• Experience: Two to four years of experience in communications, public relations, nonprofit or education communications, public affairs, journalism, marketing, or a related field.
• Writing: Excellent writing, editing, proofreading, and storytelling skills; strong grasp of social platforms, posting, engagement, and content strategy.
• Digital: Experience creating graphics, short-form video, photos, and social assets; proficiency with Canva and email tools such as Mailchimp and Constant Contact.
• Organization: Strong project-management skills; ability to juggle multiple deadlines and coordinate designers, developers, and photographers.
• Independence: Ability to work independently while remaining aligned with senior direction; sound judgment about when to elevate matters to the Strategist, leadership, or creative firm.
• Flexibility: Comfortable in a fast-paced, nontraditional environment; willing to work occasional evenings and weekends and travel across Florida.
• Tools: Strong command of Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Google Drive, and Microsoft 365.

Preferred Skills

• Sector: Experience working with schools, educators, students, nonprofits, civic organizations, or public-sector partners; familiarity with speech and debate or civics education.
• Media: Basic photography and video-editing skills; experience with reels, recap videos, promotional clips, or social campaigns; comfort interviewing people to gather quotes and stories.
• Vendor Liaison: Experience serving as the point person between internal leadership and outside creative, web, public relations, or design vendors.

To Apply

Submit a letter of interest, résumé, two writing samples, and a professional social media content slate to info@floridadebate.org.

The Florida Debate Initiative, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer.