Director of Communications, Economic Studies (Job ID: 2024-3504) - The Brookings Institution

Join one of the most influential, most quoted and most trusted think tanks!

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. 

About Economic Studies: The Economic Studies program analyzes current and emerging economic issues facing the United States and the world and, based on that research, provides innovative, practical policy recommendations. ES’s work covers a broad array of economic issues, including economic growth, economic opportunity and mobility, the labor market, regulation, health policy, the environment, tax policy, retirement policy, and fiscal and monetary policy. Economic Studies scholars influence key economic policies by conducting rigorous and relevant research and then disseminating and communicating their findings to the policy community and to the broader public.

Position location:This position requires a minimum of three days per week in-person presence at our Washington, DC office, with four to five days per week preferred. 

Ready to contribute to Brookings success?

The Director of Communications for the Economic Studies (ES) program manages the strategic communications, media relations, events, and digital strategy efforts of the largest research program at Brookings. In addition to playing a leadership role in the program, the Director supports the development and promotion of new research by more than 30 PhD economists across several areas of economics, including tax policy, fiscal and monetary policy, health policy, economic security and opportunity, regulatory policy, and more.

The Director is responsible for developing and implementing a comprehensive communications strategy for ES, its researchers, its research centers, and the Brookings Papers on Economic Activity. This includes digital marketing and outreach activities, media/press and stakeholder outreach, branding/positioning strategy, website presence and content development, impact tracking and reporting, and planning public and private forums to promote the program’s researchers and work.

The Director manages a team of communications professionals and coordinates communications efforts with other ES staff and contractors involved in communications activities. The position also works closely with Brookings’s Central Office of Communications. The Director is an integral part of the ES Management Team, assisting and advising the program Vice President & Director (VP) on management issues and strategic planning for the program.

Communications Strategy Management (20%)

• Plan and implement overall strategic communications plan for Economic Studies (ES), coordinating with the Brookings’s Central Office of Communications (COMM) as needed. Supervise ES staff involved in communications activities.
• Assist VP with long-term strategic communications efforts to ensure that the program is having high impact. Oversee efforts to achieve recognition of the program’s impact throughout the policy community (including the community of Brookings staff and supporters).
• Identify target audiences—including key stakeholders in the media, government, academia, and the private sector—for ES projects, events, and publications.
• Focus on Economic Studies brand positioning; contribute to Brookings overall brand positioning.
• Work with staff throughout the Institution to develop and approve partnerships with external organizations.
• Work with senior staff to promote consistent messaging of Institutional priorities.

Program Management (20%)

• Work with ES Managing Director to ensure ES support staff effectively perform communications duties; establish procedures to streamline workflows and continually improve communications deliverables developed by support staff.
• Interact with the Brookings General Counsel on institution-wide policy setting; enforce conflict of interest policies and conduct ongoing reviews of legal policies to uphold Brookings’ standards of independence.
• Work with COMMS to evaluate and approve permissions requests for ES work. Oversee the production and distribution of internal communications related to the work of the communications team, including updates on external activities, media mentions, etc.

Content and Event Production (20%)

• Oversee the department’s editorial calendar and manage production of all web and print content, including, on average, more than a hundred new research papers every year and dozens of accompanying online data interactives.
• Oversee the production of all ES events and content related to them.
• Work with research staff to create blog posts and other commentary to maximize the impact and reach of their research with multiple audiences.
• Manage the production of digital marketing assets for email, social media, and the website.
• Oversee and enforce the Brookings Quality Review guidelines for ES publications.

Media Relations (20%)

• Identify opportunities to keep policy agenda priorities in the news and to establish ES scholars as key media resources.
• Conduct regular assessments of ongoing work in ES centers and projects to identify media opportunities. Monitor breaking news and position scholars to comment.
• Work with the Media Relations and Outreach Manager to help ES researchers develop, reach, and monitor their media goals and assist with interview prep.
• Develop robust media strategies for high profile events and research publications and work with the Media Relations and Outreach Manager to implement them.
• Work with ES scholars and the Media Relations and Outreach Manager to identify, draft, edit and place op-eds.

Digital Communications Strategy (20%)

• Develop digital outreach strategies to maximize impact of ES research, events, and projects, including on social media.
• Manage development of ES digital content, including text and creative for web, email, and social media. Continually update production procedures to meet evolving best practices and ensure materials are of the highest quality.
• Oversee the Communications Manager to ensure website is updated accurately and includes upcoming events, testimony, op-eds, and other materials.
• Work with the Communications Manager and the Impact and Analytics Manager to evaluate how external audiences interact with the Brookings website and adjust web pages and content to improve user experience.
• Oversee strategic development of digital enhancements for Brookings research; work with COMM to ensure timely production of high-quality video, audio, interactive, and multimedia content.
• Oversee the tracking and reporting of impact metrics related to ES work.
  

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

Bachelor’s degree required; coursework in the field of communications or public relations preferred but not required. Minimum of eight years of experience in communications field; knowledge of the media community and outreach required. Experience creating overall communications strategies, working with top tier media in a fast-paced, policy-oriented environment, knowledge of and experience in using electronic/direct communications and publication/production preferred. Experience managing teams to achieve complex objectives. Must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S.

Knowledge/Skill Requirements

Superior organizational skills, entrepreneurial attitude, and excellent written and oral communications skills required. Strong interest in economic policy preferred. Self-starter who takes initiative requiring minimal supervision. Strong interpersonal skills, discretion, poise, mature judgment. Ability to conduct strategic analysis and planning required. Ability to work effectively and collegially with staff with diverse levels and backgrounds, from interns to senior leadership. Excellent news judgment and experience proactively pitching timely stories and op-eds. Must have strong familiarity with media outlets and strategies. Must be able to simplify and synthesize complex issues and text, both in written and oral forms. Hands-on manager committed to professional development and coaching staff. Must be flexible, diplomatic, and good team-player, able to work in a fast-paced environment. 

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.