Overview
The Pew Charitable Trusts uses data to make a difference. For more than 70 years, we have focused on serving the public, invigorating civic life, conducting nonpartisan research, advancing effective public policies and practices, and achieving tangible results. Through rigorous inquiry and knowledge sharing, we inform and engage public-spirited citizens and organizations, linking diverse interests to pursue common cause. We are a dedicated team of researchers, communicators, advocates, subject matter experts, and professionals working on some of today’s big challenges – and we know we are more effective and creative collectively than we are individually. With Philadelphia as our home town and the majority of our staff located in Washington, D.C., our U.S. and international staff find working at Pew personally and professionally rewarding.
Wise stewardship of resources allows Pew employees to pursue work that strategically furthers our mission in significant and measurable ways. We collaborate with a diverse range of philanthropic partners, public and private organizations, and concerned citizens who share our interest in fact-based solutions and goal-driven initiatives to improve society. Pew attracts top talent, people of integrity who are service-oriented and willing to take on challenging assignments. We provide competitive pay and benefits, a healthy work-life balance, and a respectful and inclusive workplace. Pew employees are proud of their colleagues, proud of where they work, and proud of the institution’s reputation.
Communications
The Communications department supports leaders at all levels of the institution to promote project and campaign efforts, inform key audiences, and protect and advance Pew’s reputation. The department provides a comprehensive range of communications services for all programmatic and administrative units and Trusts-operated projects. Our in-house expertise includes: strategy and message development; editorial support; design and creative services; media event planning; digital and video production; and social media. The unit oversees all communications policies, guidelines, and processes in order to ensure production of the highest quality work and effectively steward Pew’s resources.
Position Overview
This position, based in Pew’s Washington, DC office, reports to the manager, communications and is a member of the Pew communications staff supporting the work of the global ocean governance portfolio. He/she develops and implements communications strategies for projects to effectively communicate Pew’s work and messages. The officer works primarily on Pew’s projects to reduce harmful fisheries subsidies and minimize environmental damage from seabed mining.
Responsibilities
Communications Strategy
- Designs and implements comprehensive communications strategies that advance Pew’s international ocean conservation goals.
- Develops key messaging and advises project leaders on strategy.
- Works with colleagues to develop and manage a timeline for effective release of policy briefs, reports and other material.
- If applicable, helps manage working relationships with communications consultants to ensure highest degree of quality of service delivery and standards for the unit.
- Works with partner organizations and institutions to develop messages and materials to support project goals.
Media Relations
- Manages the creation, development, and implementation of effective media strategies that contribute to a well-defined media presence for Pew projects.
- Generates positive media coverage in new and creative ways; manages overall reputation/image among relevant policy, research, business, and advocacy communities.
- Actively monitors, tracks, and circulates relevant media coverage.
- Writes and edits communications materials personally, or in collaboration with Pew’s publications services desk, such as press releases, pitch memos, editorial board memos, op-eds, and letters to the editor.
Publications, Writing, Web & Multi-Media Communications
- Writes and edits communications materials in collaboration with Pew’s editorial team, such as fact sheets, articles, policy briefs, brochures, and other communications materials for public dissemination.
- Working with digital team members, develops, writes, and edits materials for the web, and assists in developing and executing digital strategy that optimizes usage of online tools.
- Works in collaboration with digital, multimedia, and graphic design staff to develop materials to achieve project goals.
Coordination
- Ensures that internal and external audiences are kept apprised of project updates through newsletters, mailings, and other vehicles for direct communications.
- Coordinates activities with colleagues based globally, in Washington DC, and with the colleagues of other organizations with whom we are working.
- Provides communications coordination support to program staff, including handling clearance and approvals as required.
- Manages working relationships with internal partners to ensure highest degree of quality of service delivery and standards.
- Maintains regular reporting systems to keep Pew colleagues and manager updated on project developments and potential communications challenges.
- Contributes to the management of Pew communications calendars, and the weekly communications report.
Other
- Develops and maintains an informed awareness of relevant topics to effectively carry out all of the activities listed above; participates in special projects.
- Contributes to and participates in communications department tasks as assigned, as well as broader Pew-wide projects and/or committees as needed.
- Assists other communications program teams as needed.
- Other duties as assigned.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree required, related graduate degree desirable.
- At least eight years of direct experience in positions with communications responsibilities, with considerable experience as a media relations and strategic communications professional required.
- Experience in public policy or advocacy campaigns at the international level required.
- Prior to commencing employment with Pew, candidates for this position who were registered to lobby in any jurisdiction must certify termination of previous registration(s) and provide copies of termination notices with said jurisdiction(s) to Pew.
- Experience in advocacy communications and communications planning.
- Demonstrated experience using social media to advance causes and information.
- Excellent writing, editing, and oral communications skills. Proven experience drafting media materials and other public documents including press releases, fact sheets, speeches and op-eds.
- Ability to synthesize and summarize large amounts of information and to focus quickly on the essence of an issue or research findings, as well as identify, understand, and address different policy perspectives in a nonpartisan way and visually tell complicated policy and research stories.
- Confidence in presenting one’s own ideas and diplomatically persuading others as appropriate.
- Ability to work professionally and collegially within a creative, fast-paced corporate culture that demands excellence and emphasizes teamwork.
- Strong systems skills, including use of Microsoft office products, required.
- Ability to work professionally and collegially within a creative, fast-paced corporate culture that demands excellence and emphasizes teamwork.
- Demonstrated time- and project-management skills, including an ability to meet multiple deadlines by maintaining a high level of organization. Ability to set priorities and identify resources.
- Ability to work independently with limited supervision. Flexible and able to routinely juggle multiple competing priorities and work in teams of both support and senior staff to meet project goals.
- Able to understand the links among Pew’s programs, legal, philanthropic services and government relations. Demonstrates ability to incorporate the needs of others into work process and product and to manage relationships to produce high-level results.
- Able to build and leverage relationships within and external to Pew to assemble networks that facilitate positive outcomes.
Travel
It is anticipated that the individual in this position will travel internationally.
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.
The Pew Charitable Trusts is an equal opportunity employer, committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. Pew considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to age, sex, ethnicity, religion, disability, marital status, sexual orientation or gender identity, military/veteran status, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law.
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