Senior Associate, Communications

Position Overview

Are you passionate about strategic communications research, planning, and analysis; media relations; and events planning? If so, this is the right opportunity for you.   

We are seeking a professional to join Pew’s Communications staff supporting the work of the institutional and strategy team, including special projects. The position will contribute to a range of communications reports and projects.

In this role, you will:

·       Report to the Director, Communications.

·       Conduct media research, analysis, and outreach.

·       Prepare, proof, and edit regular reports and other communications documents.

·       Support the planning and execution of periodic internal and external events.

·       Contribute to or help lead both internal and external communications strategies and coordination efforts.

·       Collaborate with colleagues across Pew in the United States and around the world to ensure quality work and interact frequently with senior management across the institution.

The position, based in Pew’s Washington, DC office, will participate in Pew’s hybrid work program with core days in the office and the flexibility to telework the remaining days . Staff also enjoy four telework “flex weeks” per year.

Responsibilities

• Performs—and as needed, helps the director lead—daily monitoring of media clips; analyzes media coverage; compiles and distributes media reports for Pew’s senior leadership; and contributes to institutional communications risk management.
• Serves as an institutional liaison with relevant vendors and an in-house expert for Pew’s media monitoring service accounts, providing training for these processes to staff as needed.
• Supports the development and execution of media relations strategies, including developing media lists and engaging with journalists, that elevate Pew’s mission and policy experts, secure impactful media coverage, and strengthen public understanding of the institution’s work. Helps assess impact of these earned media efforts and other institutional activities.
• Assists with research, planning, and logistics/execution for institutional public and internal events that advance strategic communications priorities.
• Provides support that benefits other institutional and programmatic efforts, such as supporting preparation and logistics for Pew spokesperson media training;  contributing to thought leadership initiatives; and conducting messaging, audience, social media, emerging trends, and other strategic communications research.

• Contributes to the development of external and internal communications strategies and tactical plans, including establishing and maintaining external strategic partnerships with media outlets and other relevant organizations, with an emphasis on extending Pew’s reach and strengthening direct audience engagement.

• Serves as a team lead in preparing Communications department institutional reports for the Executive Office, Board of Directors, and other internal audiences. These reports may include coordination with the Communications department’s senior leadership and Pew’s Executive Office.
• Supports intra-departmental communications and staff engagement efforts as well as a range of special projects and other duties as assigned.
• Provides training and guidance to other members of the team and department, as needed.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent experience, required.
• Generally, four years of increasingly responsible communications experience required, including media relations and events planning.
• Demonstrated advocacy communication and strategic communication planning skills.
• Excellent oral and writing skills with experience communicating within and outside the organization.
• Experience with media monitoring software systems, such as Cision and Nexis, and knowledge of Associated Press style and Salesforce a plus.
• Demonstrated high attention to detail with strong performance in producing error-free materials under deadline.
• Strong time management skills. Experience managing and prioritizing multiple projects and their related deadlines simultaneously by maintaining a high level of organization. Comfortable developing and moving projects forward with independence and autonomy.
• Experience setting short- and long-term planning goals in line with institutional priorities and procedures. A task-oriented style, with a focus on achieving clear goals and assuming accountability for all areas of responsibility.
• Strong interpersonal skills and collaborative spirit. Capacity to develop and manage productive relationships with members of Pew’s communications, programmatic, and operations teams, consultants, and others involved in developing or implementing Pew’s communication efforts.
• Excellent listening skills. Experience working as part of a team and individually with colleagues and staff at all levels throughout the institution.
• Good judgment, capacity to make decisions, justify recommendations, and be responsive and clear with colleagues.

Travel

Minimal travel anticipated.

Work Authorization

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the country for which they are seeking employment without visa sponsorship.

Salary Range

The salary range represents a reasonable estimate of the annual salary based on Pew’s commitment to provide equitable and market-competitive pay. The actual salary offered will take into consideration many factors including but not limited to job-related knowledge, skills and experience, internal pay equity, and business need.

Total Rewards

We offer a competitive salary and benefit program, including: comprehensive, affordable health care through medical, dental, and vision coverage; financial security with life and disability insurance; opportunities to save using health savings and flexible spending accounts; retirement benefits to help prepare for the future; and work/life benefits to maintain a good balance.

Pew is an equal opportunity employer and makes employment decisions without regard to race, ethnicity, gender, or any other protected characteristics.