Job Description

Organization overview

Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan fact tank that informs the public about the issues, attitudes and trends shaping the world. It conducts public opinion polling, demographic research, media contentanalysisand other empirical social science research in the areas of U.S. politics and policy views; media and journalism; internet and technology; science and society; religion and public life; race and ethnicity; 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 ofmore than 160 people.

Thecommunications associatesupports communications managers in promotingthe Center’s workto the news media,influential voices in new media spaces,keystakeholdersandthe engaged public.They are involved in a range ofactivities that promote,enhanceand protect the organization’s “gold-standard” brand reputation.

The communications associateassists withall aspects of external relations, playing a major supporting role inthepromotion and dissemination ofresearchfindings through media relations, including legacy news outlets, podcasts, newsletters, and independent creators on social media platforms;stakeholder engagement;andevent planning, including briefings, presentations and panel discussions.They are assigned to support the Center’s research teams on a rotating basis, offering broad exposure to the Center’s work and growth opportunities in all aspects of the communications field.

Theideal candidateis interested inU.S. news and global discourse, gets the details right, thinks strategically and rolls up their sleeves to get the job done.They are excited bynew trendsshapingnewsconsumption habits and media landscapes around the world.They areskilled projectcoordinatorswhodemonstratestrategic thinking, an entrepreneurialspiritand a desire for growth Theassociateis a member of the15-personStrategic Communications team,workingalongside four other associates, collaboratingclosely withall members of the team as well ascolleagues on the digital and audience teamsand variousresearch teamsThe associate reports to the Associate Director of Strategic Communications. 

This is a term-limited, grant-funded position expected to extend three years.

Primary Responsibilities

The communications associate:

• Supportscommunicationsmanagers in outreacheffortsforresearchreleases.

• Assistsin developing outreach plans for priorityresearchpublications andsupportsimplementation.

• Serves asan initialpoint of contact for external inquiries, especially from members of the media, andresponds to incoming requests promptly,accuratelyand efficiently.

• Coordinateslogisticsfor interviews and presentations for Center experts.

• Creates,updatesandmaintainslists of media and other key contacts, expanding and diversifying our potential target audiences.

• Maintains and updates collaborative platforms used to coordinate outreach activities, such as the editorial calendar.

• Staysup-to-datewith current events and key conversations relevant to the research areas they support.

• Tracksmedia coverageand documents the results of outreach activities todemonstrateand summarize audience impact for institutional reporting purposes.

• Identifiesthemes and opportunities for follow-on visibility and proactive moments.

• Participates in special projects and new initiatives in support of the Center’s mission.

• Upholds the Center’s core values ofindependence, objectivity, accuracy, rigor, humility,transparencyand innovation.

Knowledge and Skill Requirements

• Demonstrated interest inthe Center’sresearch topics, news, and current events.

• Experience with traditional media relationsas well asthe ability to keep up withnew trendsin a rapidly evolving information ecosystem

• Excellentwriting,editingand verbal communicationskills.

• Excellent interpersonal and relationship management skills anda customer service mindset 

• Advanced self-organization skills and the ability to balance multiple time-sensitive priorities and deadlines.

• Ability to work well both independently and ina highly collaborativeenvironment.

• Attention to detail and precision incommunicating aboutdataandnumbers.

• Goodjudgment, self-awarenessand accountability.

• Must be able to think strategically and execute tactically.

• Must be entrepreneurial, take theinitiativeand be proactive.

Education/Training/Experience

• Bachelor’s degreerequired; communications, journalism,social science, or related degree preferred.

• 3-5 years of relevant experience in external relations, including media relations.

• Knowledge ofU.S. public discourse and the U.S. media landscape

• Experience withpromoting content through social media and other digital channels.

• Proficiencywith media outreachandtracking tools likeSalesforce,Predictive,Meltwater,or similar platformssuch asCision,MuckRackand Mailchimp

• Experience managing contact databasessuch as Salesforce

• Experience with collaborative project management platforms like Asana, Trello, or Basecamp

• Proficiencywith Microsoftproductivity software(especiallyTeams, Outlook,Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

FLSA Status: Exempt

Compensation:The typical starting salary for this position is $70,000 annually,commensuratewith experience

Hybrid Work Schedule:Pew Research Center staff are required to be present in the Center’s Washington, D.C., office three core days weekly (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday). Staff may workvirtually fromremote locations on other days in a typical work week

Application Procedure:Click on the Apply button, and complete required fields. Both cover letter and resume arerequired

When requested, please upload a copy of your resume/cv, as well as a copy of your cover letter in the section labeled Resume/Cover Letter.If the documents have successfullyuploaded, you should see 2 attached files beneath the “Drop files here” box.Please make sure you have uploaded a resume AND a cover letter before moving on to the next page.

Total Rewards

In addition to competitive pay, Pew Research Center’s employees enjoy a robust total rewards package that includes:

• Affordable, comprehensive health care that includes medical, dental (including adult orthodontia) and vision benefits.

• Generous paid annual leave plan, including a winter break between Dec. 25 and Jan. 1

• Employer-paid disability, life insurance and paid family leave plans

• Up to a 12% employer 401(k) contribution, with vesting at the end of the first year.

• A 37.5-hour workweek.

• Health savings or flexible spending account options with employer funding component.

• Flexibility to telework a portion of each week, with an additional four telework “flex weeks” each year for most staff.

EEO:

Pew Research Center makes employment decisions without regard to age, sex, race, ethnicity, religion, disability, marital status, sexual orientation or gender identity, military/veteran status, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law. We encourage applications from candidates who represent a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills.