Pew Research Center/Washington, DC
Organization Overview:
Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan fact tank that informs the public about the issues, attitudes and trends shaping America and the world. It conducts public opinion polling, demographic research, media content analysis and other empirical social science research in the areas of U.S. politics and policy views; media and journalism; internet and technology; religion and public life; Hispanic trends; global attitudes and U.S. social and demographic trends. Pew Research Center does not take policy positions. It is a subsidiary of The Pew Charitable Trusts. The Center's work is carried out by a staff of about 130.
Position Summary:
The Senior Communications Manager is responsible for promoting the work of Pew Research Center's research work on global issues and trends, assisting the Director, Communications with achieving departmental goals and liaising with other communications managers and associates to ensure proper institutional communications with the Center's parent organization, The Pew Charitable Trusts. The position reports to the Director, Communications. Key responsibilities include 1) overseeing Pew Research Center global work in all aspects of external relations (especially media relations), monitoring coverage and developing communications tools; and 2) implementing communications activities by drafting materials (e.g., press releases), coordinating activities with other organizations, and planning events. The Senior Communications Manager has a nose for news, gets the details right, thinks strategically and will roll up his/her sleeves to get the job done. He/she is responsible for activities that promote, enhance and protect the organization's “gold-standard” brand reputation.
Primary Responsibilities:
Communications Strategy & Leadership
◾Under the guidance of the Director, Communications develop and oversee execution of communications plans for priorities of global work, including major research studies, to build reach, influence and impact for the Center's work. Identify target audiences, goals and dissemination strategies and tactics for major priorities while working within the overall institutional brand strategy.
◾Work with the Center's senior management team, building strong relationships with managing directors for operational and research units, and connecting communications strategies and activities with overall organizational objectives. Assist Director, Communications when necessary, with achieving departmental goals.
◾Work with other communications managers and associates to ensure global research activities are properly communicated throughout Pew Research Center and to the Center's parent organization, The Pew Charitable Trusts.
◾Oversee and manage the work of other communications staff to ensure communications needs are fulfilled.
Media Relations and Stakeholder Management
◾Ensure that the Center's global work reaches, informs and engages key target audiences who are stakeholders in the center's research by implementing a range of tactics including media outreach, speaking engagements, social media, email alerts and a weekly e-newsletter, and paid marketing events and sponsorships.
◾Cultivate and manage new and ongoing relationships with major media partners, and work with senior communications staff to develop and ensure effective execution of media-outreach plans. Manage timing and strategy for major media releases, balancing overall institutional needs. Prepare spokespeople for interviews and oversee media training, and serve as a resource to senior researchers in preparation for media events and speaking engagements. Triage press requests. Work with Director, Communications and communications staff to develop and manage media lists for releases.
◾Oversee production of Pew Research Center global work events, roundtables and press conferences, including their management, program and panel development, speaker handling and event logistics.
◾Work with communications staff to ensure key communications tools can achieve objectives.
◾Liaise with external partners, including major media organizations, other research institutions, conveners and donors, to ensure effective and smooth collaboration for dissemination and research partnerships.
◾Investigate new dissemination strategies and delivery channels for existing material, attend conferences, conduct outreach to think tanks and other content creators, and stay informed about new technologies and trends.
Brand and Reputation Management
◾Protect Pew Research Center's gold-standard brand by providing superior judgment to avoid reputational damage and help craft thoughtful, rapid response to critical coverage.
◾Ensure that outgoing content and messaging by brand “ambassadors” exemplifies Pew Research Center's core values.
◾Advise the Center's senior leadership on reputation management by providing counsel about reputational cost/benefit of initiatives.
◾Monitor use of Pew Research Center material. Monitor press mentions of key partners, research/polling industry and other institutions and topics relevant to the Pew Research Center brand.
◾Work with communications and design staff to ensure that collateral and other material is consistent with the center's style and standards.
Institutional Communications
◾Liaise with relevant communications and executive-office staff at The Pew Charitable Trusts.
◾Work closely with the Analytics/SEO/Taxonomy Specialist on collecting a robust set of qualitative and quantitative performance indicators related to dissemination of research for inclusion in reports to the Pew Research Center's board.
◾Help prepare clear, coherent and accurate reports to Pew Research Center's board.
◾Partner with the executive team to deliver dissemination metrics for reporting to The Pew Charitable Trusts. Prepare dissemination reports to external partners and donors, as needed.
Education/Training/Experience Requirements:
◾Bachelor's degree in public relations, communications, mass media, international relations, journalism or related field.
◾Minimum 10 years of relevant experience is required to be considered for the Senior Communications Manager level. Candidates with 5-10 years of relevant experience may be considered for the Communications Manager level.
◾Experience in a non-profit, think tank, research, or academic environment strongly preferred.
◾Knowledge of Washington, national and international press corps, and proven record of cultivating media relationships.
◾International professional experience and foreign-language skills strongly preferred.
Knowledge and Skills Requirements:
◾Knowledge of communications strategic planning and experience with a wide range of tactics.
◾Exceptional verbal communication and writing skills.
◾Able to work in a team, and across functions, under deadline with diplomacy and poise.
◾Foreign-news junkie, with a demonstrated knowledge of and interest in international affairs.
◾Creative and strategic thinker.
◾Highly organized, detail-oriented and able to juggle multiple projects.
◾Knowledge of Microsoft Office (especially Excel, Word, PowerPoint); knowledge of media tools such as Factiva, Cision, MailChimp, Salesforce a plus.
FLSA Status: Exempt
Application Procedure:
Applicant should send a résumé, cover letter (indicating where you learned of the opening) with salary expectations and stating your experience communicating about data to careers@pewresearch.org. Responses can also be mailed to:
Human Resources Department
Pew Research Center
1615 L Street, NW, Suite 700
Washington, DC 20036
We are an equal opportunity employer.
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