Communications Assistant or Associate

The Center seeks a Communications Assistant or Communications Associate to contribute to the development of media strategy and tactics to support the Center’s policy goals. The Communications Assistant or Communications Associate role offers an opportunity for a talented communications professional to work in an environment where strategies and timelines are driven by the news cycle and the debates in Congress, the Administration, and state capitols across the country. The Center is looking for someone who can use innovative communications strategies to shape the news and public debate and advance policies that build opportunity, promote equity, and reduce poverty. The ideal candidate is extremely organized, detail oriented, energetic, and a self-starter with an interest in proactively promoting the Center’s policy work to press on a daily basis.

Responsibilities

• Support the release of new Center content — including reports, statements, blog posts, tweet threads, and more — by creating media outreach plans and materials and conducting outreach to press.
• Building and maintaining relationships with press contacts by fielding media inquiries, drafting and deploying pitches, and identifying and cultivating relationships with journalists who cover the Center’s policy issues.
• Assist with the development of messaging on the Center’s policy issues and media training of Center policy experts.
• Track news coverage of the issues upon which the organization works; follow breaking news, policy, and political developments; and have familiarity with policy and the legislative process.
• Collaborate with communications team members to bring an equity lens to all facets of the work, including public products as well as the processes we use to do our work.
• Identify opportunities to bring strategic and innovative ideas and best practices in media relations to the team’s processes and work.
• Provide administrative support for key projects, such as developing agendas, scheduling, and facilitating meetings.

Qualifications

• Communications Assistant: Bachelor’s degree; minimum 0-2 years of professional experience in communications or a related field;
• Communications Associate: Bachelor’s degree; minimum 2 years of professional experience in communications or a related field;
• Ability to work effectively in collaboration with diverse groups of people;
• Ability to multi-task, set priorities, meet deadlines, and ask for help or reconsideration of priorities when needed;
• Ability to communicate about public policies that affect people with low incomes and diverse communities and have implications for racial justice;
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with an ability to be a persuasive communicator with strong interpersonal and organizational project skills;
• An understanding of racial equity and structural racism and a commitment to advancing equity and inclusion through the Center’s communications work;
• Commitment to helping create an equitable and inclusive team and organizational culture.

The Center is operating on a hybrid work schedule that includes at least two days per week in person at our D.C. office. We have a strong preference for candidates who will work in the office during in-office days.

This position reports to the Media Strategist and Manager.
Terms of Employment: Full-time; exempt. This is a three-year term position.
Bargaining Unit Status: This is a bargaining unit position.

Compensation: Salary commensurate with experience; excellent benefits (including health insurance, vision and dental coverage, life and long-term disability insurance, retirement, MERP, and DCAP), and generous vacation, sick leave, and holiday schedules.

Please upload a cover letter and resume. In your cover letter, please include a discussion of what draws you to the mission of the Center.

The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities is an Equal Opportunity Employer that values and welcomes diversity in the workplace and strongly encourages all qualified persons to apply regardless of race, color, age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, credit information, pregnancy or parental status, family responsibilities, personal appearance, creed, military or veteran status, religion, ancestry or national origin, union activities, disability, or other status protected by applicable law.