Communications Director (Domestic Program)

The Center for Economic and Policy Research (CEPR) has an immediate opening for a Communications Director (Domestic Program). This is a full-time position with preference for Washington, DC-based candidates; we will consider a fully remote position for strong candidates outside this area.

*APPLICANTS MUST SUBMIT ALL REQUIRED APPLICATION MATERIALS TO BE CONSIDERED*

Job Description:

The Domestic Program Communications Director, in consultation with the Domestic Team lead, drives the Domestic Program’s overall communications strategy. This entails thinking strategically about the policy environment for CEPR’s projects and publications and ensuring that CEPR’s research and policy work is covered in major national, state, and local media outlets in order to shape public perception of the organization. This role involves strategic (national) media relationship management which includes writing press releases, pitching stories, and regularly corresponding with journalists and editors. The Director advises and collaborates with relevant CEPR staff members in developing and implementing strategic digital, broadcast, and print communications strategies to promote CEPR’s work.

The Director also manages CEPR’s relationships with radio and TV producers to promote ideas developed by CEPR staff. The Director is strategic in planning media opportunities (via editorial calendar), promptly responding to media requests, and arranging interviews for Domestic Program staff.

Duties:

• Owns the creation and implementation of strategy for press releases, media advisories, articles, speeches, and talking points in a broad range of print and online publications;
• Creates and directs media outreach plans and materials (in close collaboration with the Director of Social and Digital Media);
• Monitors tracking and reports media hits, sending out daily news round-ups to internal staff;
• As a communications leader, contributes to and reviews communications-related aspects of CEPR funder reports and proposals;
• Leads Domestic team in the response to public relations crises;
• Drives editing of publications and other materials, assuring they conform with CEPR style;
• Owns planning and tracking communications projects in project management system (Monday.com);
• Educates and mentors staff, in communications processes, tools, and protocols;
• Strategically uses analytic tools to measure audience and message impact and making adjustments to communications strategies from data gathered;
• Effectively partners with the website manager to assure posting materials to the CEPR website in a timely manner.

Qualifications:

• 7+ years of proven leadership experience in Communications with demonstrated strategic projects, increasing responsibility, and contribution to organizational success.
• A general understanding of economic issues and domestic policy, and a commitment to economic justice.
• Experience using CISION for press outreach and project management and collaboration tools like Monday.com.
• Ability to work and lead effectively in a fast-paced environment with tight deadlines.
• Excellent written and oral communications skills; ability to adapt messaging to various audiences a must.
• Familiarity with policy debates regarding economic stimulus, racial justice, health care, disability, Social Security, federal budget, wages, work/life balance, trade policy, and other domestic topics is a plus.
• Experience working with an organization that has an interest in economic justice is a plus.
• Nonprofit and/or think tank experience is also a plus.
• Applicants affected by issues that CEPR works on are especially encouraged to apply.

Salary & Benefits: CEPR offers a competitive salary and an excellent benefits package. The minimum starting salary according to CEPR’s union contract is $87,319.23 annually; however, this is only a minimum and the actual salary can be substantially higher depending on experience and qualifications. This position will be represented by the Nonprofit Professional Employees Union (NPEU).

Closing Date of Position: May 23, 2024 (at 11:59PM, Eastern time).

In rare, extenuating circumstances, the application period may be extended or shortened. In the event that the application period is shortened, CEPR will update this posting to notify candidates that they have seven calendar days remaining to apply.

To Apply: Submit the following, in a single PDF file with the document title FirstName_LastName_Domestic Program Communications Director via CEPR’s ONLINE APPLICATION:

1. a cover letter;
2. a résumé; and
3. writing and press release samples including examples of the impact past communications work had on policy and/or public opinion.

To ensure that communications from the Search Committee reach your inbox, we recommend that you whitelist the “cepr.net” email domain.

Please do not submit additional information apart from the items listed above. You may address your cover letter to the Domestic Program Communications Director Search Committee, if you wish.

Search committees usually make a decision within three weeks of the deadline of the application. If you have any questions, please email [email protected], the contact for the Domestic Program Communications Director Search Committee. Absolutely no calls or faxes.

Organization Description: CEPR was established in 1999 to promote democratic debate on the most important economic and social issues that affect people’s lives. In order for citizens to effectively exercise their voices in a democracy, it is necessary that they be informed about the problems and choices that they face. An informed public should then be able to choose policies that lead to an improving quality of life, both for people within the United States, and around the world.

Toward this end, CEPR conducts both professional research and public education so that the public is better prepared to choose among the various policy options. The professional research is oriented towards filling important gaps in the understanding of particular economic and social problems, or the impact of specific policies, both domestically and globally. The public education portion of CEPR’s mission is to present the findings of professional research, both by CEPR and others, in a manner that allows broad segments of the public to know exactly what is at stake in major policy debates. As part of its public education initiative, CEPR utilizes research findings and analysis to challenge the myths, assumptions, policies and institutions that perpetuate economic and social inequality.

CEPR’s founding scholars include Dean Baker and Mark Weisbrot, and Robert Pollin, Professor of Economics, University of Massachusetts.

CEPR is an equal opportunity employer that considers applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital or veteran status, sexual orientation, or any legally protected status. Women and minorities are strongly encouraged to apply.