Communications Manager, Italy

Change.org is searching for a Communications Manager to lead the execution of Change.org’s presence in Italy. Reporting to our Regional Director, you'll shape our brand and media strategy here, driving high-impact storytelling and top-tier media and social engagement. You'll also build out a network of influential relationships across civil society and politics, from progressive to conservative circles alike. As a key member of Change.org’s Communications Team, you'll bring genuine fluency in engaging audiences and media across the political spectrum — including real experience with conservative outlets and institutions — to support campaigns that make waves in the media, shape public discourse, and drive awareness, adoption, and affinity for the platform.

Change.org is the world’s largest platform for democracy.

At a time when dissatisfaction with democracy globally is at an all-time high, we’re investing heavily in using AI to build an operating system for modern democracy. This includes our platform for giving people greater voice, a personalized voter guide for elections, and a new product which aims to bring people across the political spectrum together to identify shared solutions..

To realize this vision, we're building a team at the intersection of technology and civic engagement — bringing together top talent focused on giving citizens a direct voice, strengthening accountability, and building stronger, more resilient democracies.

Key Outcomes:

• Consistently identify, support, and drive the biggest people power campaign moments, generating strong reach, and wide amplification across both social and traditional media, centring our amazing petition starters.

• Increase awareness of Change.org and the campaigns on the platform among key audiences including media and decision-makers.

• Implement the global strategy across owned and earned media. Collaborate with other functional leads to hone a global brand strategy, contributing to department strategy, goals and culture.

  • Set and deliver a national media strategy that consistently secures top-tier coverage for Change.org petitions spanning the full range of political perspectives, demonstrating a high-impact, open platform for everyday citizens.

  • Identify and amplify opportunities for Change.org petitions to gain traction on social media, driving virality and cultural relevance while expanding reach and engagement across diverse audiences.

• Oversee and grow a network of high-leverage relationships, including senior editors, producers, journalists, decision makers, politicians, civic organisations and influencers to enhance both the immediate reach of campaigns and the long-term visibility of the platform.

• Maintain a campaign portfolio that is strongly aligned with brand principles and reflects ideological diversity, fostering trust and openness across a wide range of audiences.

The most important core competencies for the role are:

• Deep understanding of diverse audience segments and their needs in Italy

• Deep and current understanding of both conservative and progressive media landscape, with strategic insights into the most influential and relevant channels to amplify our brand and message. Along with existing connections with key journalists, influencers, civil society, officials and politicians, who could help tell the story of our Petition Starters

• Exceptional, high-trust network of key media decision-makers – including senior editors, executive producers, influential journalists. Proven ability to mobilize networks to secure high-impact coverage.

• Extensive executive, corporate and crisis communication skills, both written and verbal, with a track record of influencing diverse audiences, from internal leadership to global media.

• Ability to drive strategic alignment across cross-functional teams and external partners. Ability to navigate complex stakeholder environments and influence at the highest levels to advance Change.org’s brand, reputation, and impact.

• Strategic mindset, with innovative ideas around how to use digital campaigning to power local and national campaigns and amplify the voice of the petition starter.

• Willingness to work across differences, including providing support to policy-compliant campaigns that you may not agree with, but that align with Change.org’s commitment to being an open platform to all voices.

• Ability to demonstrate strong autonomy by proactively identifying opportunities for improvement, taking ownership of tasks, and driving projects to completion with minimal supervision.

• Using insight, performance data, and AI tools to plan, pitch, and adapt for maximum impact. You are building systems and tools, such as testing frameworks or lightweight automations, that improve quality and efficiency across the team.

• Team Leadership: Proven ability to recruit, build, and lead high-performing teams with clarity, inspiration, and care.

• English proficiency (Minimum B2)

Target experience:

• 10+ years of experience across one or more of the following: media, comms, brand, public relations, campaigning

• Proven experience leading communications in a mission-driven, social impact or journalism context, with a deep understanding of values-based storytelling

• Proven track record of shaping media narratives and leading successful engagement with top-tier and agenda-setting media outlets that reach tens of millions weekly

• Demonstrated success in securing and sustaining high-profile media coverage that aligns with organizational goals, mitigates reputational risk, and drives meaningful brand and mission outcomes.

• Demonstrated success in managing social media channels for a brand, company or organization

• History of leading and mentoring high-performing comms teams, building scalable systems, and managing complex, cross-functional initiatives that integrate media, messaging, and campaign goals.

Interested? Great! Here's what you should know:

This is a full time position based in Italy, with a preference for the cities: Rome, Milan.

Our compensation philosophy is based on pay equity. All of our salaries are determined before we launch a role – they are based on a predetermined salary scale, the level on that scale and the cost of labor for that location. The annual salary of a Communications Manager is €64,000 in Italy.

Benefits and perks also vary based on location.

We recognize that people assess their qualifications differently, and you may not meet every requirement listed. If you believe you could be successful in this role, we encourage you to apply.

Change.org is an open platform designed to serve people across the full range of viewpoints. We expect all candidates to have thought about whether it’s a fit for you to work at a genuinely open platform like this, in which you will regularly be exposed to opinions and campaigns which are in sharp contrast to your own values and/or beliefs.

We are an equal opportunity employer and consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity [or expression], national origin, protected veteran status, disability, age, or any other status protected by law.

We're committed to protecting your data. To learn more, please review our Change.org Job Applicant Privacy Policy.

We use artificial intelligence to help screen applications, including to detect fraudulent applications. Hiring decisions are made by people. When you apply, our recruiting system automatically checks your device, IP address, email address and phone number for patterns linked to fraudulent applications and may flag your application for review. A member of our Talent team reviews every flag and decides what happens next. No application is rejected automatically.

We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for candidates with disabilities throughout our recruitment process. If you need assistance or an accommodation, please let your recruiter know.

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Professional-level English proficiency is required for all roles. While we are a global company, we ask that all resumes and application responses be submitted in English.