Lead Writer, Executive Office (Job ID: 2026-3890)

Overview

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, D.C. Our mission is to equip decision-makers with nonpartisan research and policy strategies to create a more prosperous and secure country and world. 

 

To advance our mission, we are committed to the following four goals: 

 

• Develop economic growth strategies for a changing world 

• Expand economic and social opportunity for all 

• Revitalize U.S. democratic institutions 

• Advance peace and security worldwide 

 

At the core of our mission is the quality, independence, and impact of our research. We are dedicated to finding bold, pragmatic solutions for societal challenges through open-minded inquiry, diverse perspectives, and holding ourselves to the highest standards of scholastic rigor. 

Beyond the pursuit of excellence and intellectual rigor, Brookings places immense value on creating a supportive and collaborative environment where every individual can do their best work, learn, and grow. Because of this, Brookings has been at the forefront of public policy for more than a century. 

 

About the Executive Office – The Executive Office (EO) moves the Brookings mission forward by supporting and guiding the research programs, external affairs, and business operations of the Institution.  The EO consists of the President’s office and the President's support team and aims to communicate regularly and transparently with Brookings staff about what’s happening at the institutional level.

 

Position Location: Washington, DC. This position requires regular in-person work at the Washington, DC office, generally 4–5 days per week. Occasional remote work may be permitted based on business needs and with supervisor approval.

Responsibilities

Ready to contribute to Brookings success? 

 

The Lead Writer serves as the primary writer for the president and the executive office. This position works closely with, and has a dotted-line reporting relationship to, the Vice President of Communications and Public Affairs to ensure coordination of the president’s and the institution’s communications efforts. This is a key role in the executive office and contributes to its overall effectiveness in advancing the president’s priorities, including as a critical liaison to research program, communications, and fundraising leadership to coordinate internal communications and activities of the president. Responsible for developing and executing compelling, strategic messaging that reflects the president’s voice, vision, and leadership. The role combines expert-level writing with strong project management skills to ensure executive communications drive business objectives, strengthen stakeholder engagement, and elevate the organization’s reputation. 

 

President’s communications and presentation development (70%)

• Serve as president’s speechwriter and manage development of president’s presentations to key audiences.

• Prepare the president for events in which she is a participant, for example as a speaker, a panel moderator, or a fireside chat participant.

  • This process involves gathering and synthesizing information, fact-checking, and tailoring language to reflect the president’s voice and the goals of the event.

  • Partner with president’s research assistant as needed.

• Write the president’s typically concise (3–5 minute) opening or closing remarks for internal or external events.

• Collaborate with the president to write additional speeches and talking points as needed. Assignments may include graduation/commencement speeches or talking points in preparation for donor meetings.

• Ensure consistent presidential messaging on key public policy and other topics across communications products.

• Own the process of preparing presentations for events with stakeholder audiences, such as board of trustees meetings and all-staff town halls:

  • Work closely with president, chief of staff, senior director of board relations, and others as needed to develop and write president’s reports for each board meeting. This includes: collaborating extensively across the institution to gather information; developing and refining outlines and talking points; fact-checking content; managing ongoing review-and-revise process with the president; managing the development of PowerPoint presentations with central communications; managing review with general counsel; managing editorial feedback from other stakeholders with discernment; managing time with the president and other internal stak