Manager, Communications

The Pew Charitable Trusts is driven by the power of knowledge to solve today’s most challenging problems. Pew applies a rigorous, analytical approach to improve public policy, inform the public and invigorate civic life.

We are an independent nonprofit organization – the sole beneficiary of seven individual trusts established between 1948 and 1979 by two sons and two daughters of Sun Oil Company founder Joseph N. Pew and his wife, Mary Anderson Pew.

Our work lays the foundation for effective policy solutions by informing and engaging citizens, linking diverse interests to pursue common cause and insisting on tangible results. Our projects encourage efficient, responsive governments – at the local, state, national and international levels – serving the best interests of the people. We partner with a diverse range of donors, public and private organizations and concerned citizens who share our interest in fact-based solutions and goal-driven investments to improve society.

With offices in Philadelphia, Washington DC, Australia, Brussels and London, and with additional staff in other regions of the United States and around the globe, Pew provides an exciting learning environment and the opportunity to work with highly talented individuals. We are a dynamic, rapidly evolving organization that values creativity and innovative thinking and fosters strong teamwork with mutual respect.

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 director, communications and is a member of the Pew communications staff supporting the work of the U.S ocean policy portfolio. He/she develops and implements communications strategies for projects to effectively communicate Pew’s work and messages. The manager, communications works on Pew’s initiatives to advance conservation measures for coastal habitat and fisheries in U.S. marine waters. This position has three direct reports.

Communications Strategy

• Designs and implements comprehensive communications strategies and campaigns that advance Pew’s research, analysis and other work, in collaboration with program staff; leads that strategy with the communications and project team.
• Develops key messaging and advises project leaders on strategy.
• Works with colleagues to develop and manage a timeline for effective release of communications materials.
• 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 and campaigns 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, and other stakeholder communities.
• Actively monitors, tracks and circulates relevant media coverage.
• Writes and edits communications materials personally, or in collaboration with Pew’s editorial team, such as press releases, pitch memos, editorial board memos, blogs, op-eds, and letters to the editor.

Publications, Writing, Online & Multimedia Communications

• Writes and edits communications materials in collaboration with Pew’s editorial team, such as newsletters, communications toolkits, fact sheets, web analyses, policy briefs, brochures, and other communications materials for public dissemination.
• Working with digital team members, develops, writes, and edits materials for the web and social media, and assists in developing and executing digital strategies that optimize usage of online tools.
• Works in collaboration with digital, multimedia, and graphic design staff to develop materials to achieve project goals.

Staff Management

• Directly manages a staff of three communications officers and actively guides division of labor between them in support of program goals.
• Responsible for staff development and performance management.

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 DC-based and remote colleagues, as well as partners in 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 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.

• 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 in a state or federal executive or legislative branch or an advocacy organization required.
• Minimum of two years of previous direct supervisory experience required including experience managing performance and offering professional development, advice and counsel of direct reports 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 on environment or science issues communications a plus.
• 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, first person analysis pieces, 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.
• 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
Limited overnight travel within the U.S. for occasional meetings and conferences.

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.