Communications and Marketing Manager

About the Acton Institute
For over thirty-five years the Acton Institute for the Study of Religion and Liberty has promoted a free and virtuous society characterized by individual liberty and sustained by religious principles. We are an ecumenical, nonprofit research organization that promotes the benefits of free enterprise and the interdependence of moral principles and true freedom to religious communities, businesspeople, nonprofit leaders, students, and educators. With an international scope, Acton manages a robust publishing and events outreach that argues for a moral foundation to the market economy. Wholly independent, the nonpartisan Institute works across many faith traditions including Christianity, Judaism and Islam. Our intellectual research, teaching, and popularization at the intersection of faith and economics, morality and markets, and religion and liberty are unique in the liberty movement as is our reach among the religiously minded.

Position Summary

The Marketing Manager is an entrepreneurial, mission-driven communicator who will help lead Acton's core marketing functions while driving high-impact initiatives that elevate the organization's reputation and reach. This position blends strategic planning, digital communications leadership, and initiative management.

The professional in this role will work alongside compelling thinkers, scholars and commentators whose work appears in top-tier, niche and trade media outlets, who reach engaged audiences on social media, and who are actively shaping conversations on economics, family, freedom, poverty, AI, American history, faith and more. Acton produces award-winning documentaries and is currently touring the country with theatrical screenings, hosts weekly podcasts with notable guests, and releases a steady stream of books and commentary that inform and inspire. Our experts are in-demand speakers at colleges, universities and conferences nationally and internationally, and draw enthusiastic audiences at Acton's own gatherings as well. This is a rare opportunity to amplify ideas that matter, through media that moves people.

The ideal candidate is a strategist and skilled communicator who brings strong judgement, a faith-informed perspective, and the creativity and flexibility to manage both day-to-day communications and long-term initiatives.

This position is located in Grand Rapids, MI (In Person) and reports to the Vice President of Communications and Marketing.

Key Responsibilities
Strategic Communications Planning

• Develop strategic documents that define Acton's desired content mix, target audiences, and the communications channels used to reach them.
• Collaborate with the Vice President of Communications and Marketing to evolve Acton's brand and modernize its messaging to resonate with diverse audiences.
• Research, recommend and implement emerging best practices in email, social, and digital communications.
• Partner across the organization to ensure alignment between strategic initiatives and organizational goals.

Social Media and Digital Communications

• Guide Acton's social media presence across platforms, including content strategy and development, scheduling, and performance tracking and optimization.
• Develop and execute paid social advertising campaigns to reach target audiences and achieve defined KPIs.
• Monitor trends, engagement, and audience growth to continuously refine Acton's social strategy.
• Help maintain and update content across Acton.org and related platforms using the organization's CMS.

Email Communications and List Management

• Lead Acton's email communications program including newsletters, announcements, and campaign messaging.
• Oversee list segmentation, subscriber hygiene, and third-party list auditing tools to maintain a clean and effective contact database.
• Continuously research new techniques to optimize audience engagement and deliverability.

Design and Production Support

• Produce visual assets using Canva and periodically oversee the work of contracted graphic designers to ensure brand consistency and quality. Knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite is helpful.
• Serve as a resource for podcast production, filming, and audio recording as needed; prior experience or education in these areas is a plus.

Vendor Oversight and Project Management

• Manage day-to-day relationships with third-party vendors supporting communications, marketing, and initiative delivery.
• Apply strong project management skills to keep multiple initiatives on track simultaneously.
• Identify new vendor or platform opportunities that could strengthen Acton's communications capabilities.

Media Relations

• Build and maintain relationships with faith-based journalists, editors, producers, and media outlets across print, broadcast, and digital platforms.
• Develop and execute proactive media pitches to secure coverage for Acton's programs, publications, scholars, and leadership.
• Coordinate interview requests and media appearances, preparing spokespeople and ensuring follow-through.
• Work in tandem with the Vice President of Communications and Marketing on media list maintenance, monitoring, and reporting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in marketing, communications, public relations, journalism, media or film production, or a related field.
• Seven or more years of experience in marketing, communications, or a related discipline, with demonstrated progression into senior responsibilities.
• Strong writing, editing, and storytelling skills.
• Experience managing social media platforms, email marketing systems, and list management tools.
• Experience managing vendor relationships and overseeing third-party partners.
• Proficiency with Canva; experience with Adobe Creative Suite is a plus.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to lead complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives.
• Demonstrated media relations experience including press outreach, pitching, and placement.
• A faith-informed perspective and familiarity with faith-based communities and their role in civic life.
• An entrepreneurial mindset and the initiative to identify, propose, and launch new programs.
• A flexible disposition and willingness to work outside standard hours for events or deadline-driven needs when needed.
• A creative mindset with a genuine passion for compelling content and effective storytelling.
• Understanding of and alignment with Acton's mission.
• A collaborative, service-oriented, positive, and partnership-driven approach to work.