Communications Coordinator, Foreign Policy (Job ID: 2024-3556) - The Brookings Institution

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The Brookings Institution is a nonprofit public policy organization based in Washington, DC. Our mission is to conduct in-depth research that leads to new ideas for solving problems facing society at the local, national and global level.

We bring together leading experts in government and academia from all over the world, rooted in open-minded inquiry and representing diverse points of view, who provide the highest quality research, policy recommendations, and analysis. Research topics cover a full range of public policy issues in economics, foreign policy, development, governance and metropolitan policy.

With fair and transparent business practices, clear communication, mutual respect, and a collaborative atmosphere that offers both professional and personal development opportunities, Brookings offers an inclusive and welcoming workplace that values the efforts of all contributors.

Foreign Policy at Brookings

The Foreign Policy program at Brookings is the leading center of high-quality, policy-relevant scholarship advancing actionable solutions to the major challenges to international peace and security. Brookings Foreign Policy scholars and staff draw on their deep expertise to engage in in-depth, nonpartisan research and analysis aimed at informing policymakers and the public debate and developing concrete policy recommendations to address the world’s toughest problems. The John L. Thornton China Center at Brookings develops independent analysis and policy recommendations to address long-standing challenges related to U.S.-China relations and China’s internal development. While the center’s research agenda is dynamic and responsive to new developments, abiding areas of scholarly interest include foreign policy and U.S.-China relations; economics, finance, and trade; China’s political leadership; China’s domestic challenges; and environment, technology, and global governance and institutions.

Brookings welcomes and celebrates diversity in all its forms. We welcome applications that reflect a variety of backgrounds based on ideology, race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status, first generation college-goers, and other factors protected by law. Brookings is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer that is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive workplace.

Position Location:This position is hybrid. Hybrid positions combine regular in-person presence at our Washington, DC office with the option of at least two days of remote work each week.

Please Note:This position is included in the staff bargaining unit, Brookings United, affiliated with the IFPTE Local 70 union, and is covered under the terms of the collective bargaining agreement.

Ready to contribute to Brookings success?

The Communications Coordinator, FP manages media coordination and impact tracking in Foreign Policy at Brookings (FP). The Coordinator organizes and executes various communications activities, focusing on media inquiries and outreach, external engagements and impact, social media and newsletter outreach, and contact management. Under the supervision of FP’s Director of Communications, the Communications Coordinator works with a broad range of staff in FP and Brookings’s central Office of Communications to enhance coordination and collaboration, support impact, and uphold program and institutional standards. The Communications Coordinator represents Brookings FP in interactions with journalists and other external contacts, with visitors and event participants, and on social media.

Media Coordination  (40%)

• Serves as primary FP Communications contact for managing and distributing incoming media requests and general information requests regarding the FP program and its experts. As requested, advises scholars on media requests.
• In communication with Director of Communications, coordinates among journalists, scholars, and Brookings studio staff to organize media interviews or other activities.
• Assists Director of Communications in implementing FP’s media outreach strategy, including particularly by drafting news releases, pitching journalists with FP content, creating outreach lists, developing relationships with media, and organizing media calls.
• Maintains familiarity with FP scholars' current work and tracks media engagement on Meltwater database, including tagging media hits, building media contact lists, and creating regular media engagement reports to share with scholars and FP leadership
• Responsible for tracking scholars’ media mentions and external writing and speaking, adding select quotes and links to externally published op-eds and research to the Brookings website.
• Designs and retrieves reports from Meltwater on scholar media activity, and may assist in creation of collateral materials, for funding and development purposes.

Social Media and Newsletter Outreach  (40%)

• Develops understanding of Brookings audiences and enhances best practices for various formats and tactics in professional communications.
• In coordination with the Director of Communications, drafts the FP internal and external weekly newsletters.
• Develops and promotes FP and Brookings content on social media platforms.
• Works with FP and central Communications departments to promote events, activities, and publications on social media and in newsletters.
• As requested, assists  in preparation and production of short video content for the Brookings website and social media.

Event Support (20%)

• Maintains overarching awareness of convenings and programming across FP, and applies this knowledge to internal communications and operations to enhance coordination across the program.
• Under the guidance of FP’s Director of Communications and Assistant Director of Event Strategy, assists program staff when needed in organizing and implementing events to ensure Brookings standards of quality, independence, and impact.
• Liaises with FP and Central Communication staff to strategize for and implement event promotion on social media and in newsletters, and to create and maintain lists of potential event moderators or attendees.
• Monitors media and social media ahead of events.
• Collects data on event impact from attendance lists, social media engagement, and other media; maintains event impact graphics and charts; reports and briefs event metrics to FP research centers.
• As requested and in coordination with office of the vice president and director of Foreign Policy, research centers, and FP Development, serves as primary organizer for some roundtables and media events.

Ready to make an impact? In this role, you will support Brookings values of collegiality, respect, inclusion, diversity and community, and bring the following qualifications: 

Education/Experience Requirements

A bachelor’s degree in political science, international relations, history, journalism, public affairs, communications, or related field, and demonstrated interest in foreign policy, are required. At least two years of relevant professional experience in media or policy-focused non-profit organizations. Experience organizing events and/or interacting with journalists is preferred. Experience in customer relationship management (CRM) and with relevant software is preferred. Must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S.

Knowledge/Skill Requirements

Organizational skills: Excellent organizational skills, including strong attention to detail, are primary requirements. Ability to estimate the time and resources required, and to complete work in a timely manner and keep larger tasks on track, are required. Ability to manage competing priorities and adjust as new information surfaces or conditions change, to work well under pressure and with discretion and judgment, and to regularly and clearly communicate updates to stakeholders, are required. Must be conscientious, reliable, and courteous, and possess excellent judgement. Must be able to work both independently and as part of a team; and must be able to take initiative while maintaining attention to detail.

Communication and interpersonal skills: Ability to communicate proactively, clearly, and courteously with internal and external contacts is required. Strong writing skills are required; must be able to write correspondence and other short texts including social media posts accurately, clearly, and concisely, with minimal editing required. Must be able to apply a customer service approach to external contacts, including journalists and event participants. Must also be flexible, able to develop productive working relationships, and able to work well with others in a fast-paced environment. Complete proficiency in spoken and written English is required; additional language skills are helpful.

Technical skills: Familiarity with social media management on behalf of an organization is required. Knowledge of event management practices is required. Demonstrated knowledge and skill in building and maintaining contact lists is required. Specific knowledge of  HubSpot, Meltwater and/or WordPress is preferred. With input from supervisor, must be able to swiftly and efficiently identify, develop, and implement best practices in relevant fields and tasks.

Topical knowledge: Knowledge of U.S. foreign policy and international relations, gained through education or professional or life experience, is required. General knowledge of the foreign policy media landscape is required.

Additional Information

What can we offer you? Brookings provides a generous benefit package that is comprehensive and includes both traditional benefits and unique offerings. Our comprehensive benefits package includes medical, dental, and vision benefits, generous time off, and workplace flexibility. For more information, please visit Brookings Benefits. 

Brookings requires that all applicants submit a cover letter and resume. Please attach your cover letter and resume as one document when you apply. Please note: if you have applied to more than one Brookings job opening you should add a position-specific cover letter as a separate attachment.

Successful completion of a background investigation is required for employment at Brookings.

Brookings welcomes and celebrates diversity in all its forms.  We welcome applications that reflect a variety of backgrounds based on ideology, race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status, first generation college goers, and other factors protected by law. Brookings is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer that is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive workplace.