Strategic Communications Manager, News & Information

Organization overview 
Pew Research Center is made up of intellectually curious people from across many fields, places and backgrounds. For decades, our expertise, best-in-class methods and commitment to high-quality, fact-based research have made us a trusted resource for leaders and everyday people around the world.   

We generate a foundation of facts that enriches public dialogue and supports sound decision-making. We are nonprofit, nonpartisan and nonadvocacy. We value independence, objectivity, accuracy, rigor, humility, transparency and innovation. 

Pew Research Center does not take policy positions. It is a subsidiary of The Pew Charitable Trusts. The Center’s work is carried out by a staff of about 170. 

Position summary 
The communications manager is responsible for promoting the work of Pew Research Center’s News and Information research team, at a pivotal moment in time for the media landscape. The manager assists communications leadership with achieving departmental and institutional goals, collaborates with colleagues on the communications team and provides audience-centric counsel to the research team. 

 
Key responsibilities include: 1) planning and managing the dissemination and promotion of Center research to traditional and non-traditional media, crafting outreach materials and monitoring coverage and discussion of the Center’s research; 2) ensuring the Center’s work reaches key stakeholder audiences by developing relationships with other organizations and arranging virtual and in-person briefings. (Stakeholders for this research team include newsroom, platform and media business leaders, media associations, audience professionals, journalism schools and communications professionals.); and 3) liaising with, and reporting on outcomes to, a major funder of the research team’s work. The communications manager for this research team is passionate for communication not only as a trade, but as a topic of study. They follow the news, get the details right, are creative and innovative, think strategically, work efficiently and roll up their sleeves to get the job done. They are responsible for activities that promote, enhance and protect the organization’s “gold-standard” brand reputation.  

Note: Depending on department needs, it is possible that this position may eventually support a second research team. 

Primary responsibilities 
Communications strategy and leadership 

• Under the guidance of the communications director and associate director, and collaborating closely with designers, digital producers and the social media team, develop and implement comprehensive audience plans for major research studies to build reach, influence and impact for the Center’s work. Identify target audiences, goals and dissemination strategies and tactics for key priorities while working within the overall institutional brand strategy. 

• Build strong relationships with the managing director, associate director and staff of the research team. 

Legacy media and new media 

• Ensure that the Center’s work reaches, informs and engages key target audiences using a range of tactics, including media outreach to journalists and creators, speaking engagements, social media, newsletters, advisories and more. 

• Cultivate and manage ongoing relationships with media outlets (both traditional and non-traditional), and work with senior communications staff to develop and ensure effective execution of media outreach plans. 

• Develop materials for media business leaders as stakeholders of the Center’s work.  

• Manage timing and strategy for major project releases, balancing overall institutional needs and helping to maintain the Center’s editorial calendar. 

• Prepare spokespeople for interviews (on both legacy and new media platforms), media events and speaking engagements.  

• Triage incoming press requests and other inquiries.  

• Work with communications colleagues to develop, grow and maintain outreach lists, especially as journalists and creators change jobs as outlets consolidate. 

• For major projects, oversee associated Pew Research Center events, including their management, p