Senior Communications Manager

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 does not take policy positions. It is a subsidiary of The Pew Charitable Trusts. Pew Research Center’s work is carried out by a staff of 130.

Position Summary

The Senior Communications Manager is a member of Pew Research Center’s communications team. This position is one of two senior managers who work with the Communications Director to promote the work of the Pew Research Center by providing support and counsel to research units in targeting key U.S. audiences, while helping to manage staff and outreach projects and advance the institutional brand.  This involves working closely with the Communications Director to shape strategic communications plans and ensure successful execution by overseeing the work of other communications staff handling U.S. outreach and working collaboratively with research, digital and editorial staff as well as external partners. The Senior Communications Manager will assist the Communications Director in internal communications by liaising with the communications department of Pew Research Center’s parent organization, The Pew Charitable Trusts. The ideal candidate has at least 10 years of communications experience, with a strong track record of media relations; a proven facility in communicating about data and statistics; experience in developing and executing strategic communications plans; experience in cultivating and engaging high-level stakeholders through events and briefings; experience in managing and mentoring staff; and the ability to build relationships with peers. The position reports to the Communications Director.

Primary responsibilities

• Develop communications plans and coordinate implementation of communications activities to ensure Pew Research Center’s domestic research reaches its key target audiences. (60%)
  • Work with communications managers and associates to develop strategic communications plans for specific research releases to ensure that the right mix of tactics is in place to reach key target audiences. Work with communications team to identify target audiences for specific lines of research.
  • Oversee implementation of communications activities, collaborating as needed with researchers, digital and editorial staff. This includes developing and/or editing press releases and pitch materials, making pitch calls to select print, broadcast and online media, arranging briefings and presentations, reviewing media and stakeholder lists, preparing spokespeople for interviews, planning and overseeing execution of events, and collaborating with digital teams about digital content, outreach and marketing.
  • Review dissemination metrics reports to evaluate communications efforts and identify new outreach opportunities. Develop ideas for extending reach of research after initial release.
  • Support Communications Director in managing usage and budgets related to communications tools and services, and developing procedures to streamline communications tasks.
• Work with Communications Director to protect and promote the institutional brand. (40%)
  • Be vigilant in monitoring citations of Pew Research Center brand, data and experts, and provide rapid, thoughtful responses to address factual errors and criticism of research.  Monitor press mentions of polling industry, social science research and other institutions and topics relevant to Pew Research Center brand.
  • Ensure that partner materials, joint reports and co-branded products employ consistent and brand-appropriate language about Pew Research Center and external partners, as needed.
  • Represent Pew Research Center at conferences and events and help cultivate dissemination partners.
  • Develop brochures, digital presentations and other institutional materials, working with design, digital and communications staff. Manage external vendors as needed.
  • Assist in coordinating internal communications, particularly liaising with The Pew Charitable Trusts communications department and supporting employee communications efforts.

Education/Training/Experience

• Bachelor’s degree required; Journalism degree or equivalent work experience recommended.
• Minimum 10 years in the field
• Knowledge of Washington press corps and proven record of cultivating media relationships
• Experience in marketing digital content

Knowledge and Skills Requirements

• Knowledge of communications strategic planning and experience with a wide range of tactics
• Exceptional verbal communication and writing skills
• Must be proactive and client-oriented
• Experienced manager of people and resources
• Must be able to work in a team, and across functions, under deadline with diplomacy and poise
• Must be a news junkie, with a demonstrated knowledge of and interest in media trends and social science research
• Must be a creative and strategic thinker
• Must be highly organized, detail-oriented and able to juggle multiple projects
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office (especially Excel, Word, PPT); knowledge and/or ability to quickly learn media tools such as Factiva, Cision, MailChimp, Salesforce.

FLSA Status: Exempt

Application Procedure

Applicants should email a complete resume, cover letter (including where you learned of the opening), and salary expectation to careers@pewresearch.org.

Responses can also be mailed to:

Human Resources
Pew Research Center
1615 L Street, NW Suite 700
Washington, DC 20036

We are an equal opportunity employer.