Communications Manager (Job ID: 2026-3823) at The Brookings Institution – Washington, District of Columbia
About This Position
Equal-Opportunity Employer: It is Brookings policy to provide equal employment opportunity for all of its employees and applicants without regard to their actual or perceived race, color, religion, sex, age, disability, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, marital status, personal appearance, citizenship status, family responsibilities, gender identity or expression, genetic information, matriculation, political affiliation, veteran status, or any other prohibited basis of discrimination as required by law.
Communications Manager (Job ID: 2026-3823)
US-DC-Washington
Job ID: 2026-3823
Type: Regular, Full-Time
# of Openings: 1
Category: Communications
1. Resident Employee (Hybrid)
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, 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 the Economic Studies Program: 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.
Please be advised that The Brookings Institution is currently undergoing a multi-year strategic implementation, and as part of this effort, your role, supervisor, and program may change.
Position Location: This position is hybrid. Hybrid positions combine regular in-person presence at our Washington, DC office with the option of 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.
Responsibilities
Ready to contribute to Brookings success?
The Communications Manager supports editorial production and strategy, digital publishing, website content, and messaging for Economic Studies. Maintains all components of the ES website and editorial calendar; manages the program’s e-newsletters for broad and targeted audiences; provides ongoing strategic improvement of ES web content; provides editorial and project management support for program research; and coordinates regularly with the Brookings Central Communications Office and external contractors for data visual, graphic design, and multimedia needs
Digital Content and Publication Management (35%)
Coordinates scholarly research paper production and quality review processes and maintains editorial calendar of scholarly research content.
Lays out and formats scholarly content, using InDesign or other software as appropriate, and trains staff on layout process and standards.
Creates, updates, and maintains all ES program, center, and project content and web pages in accordance with Brookings website standards and consistent with ES’s research and communications goals.
Applies robust taxonomy set and other metadata to optimize content presentation on various parts of the Brookings website.
Recommends sound search engine optimization (SEO) practices for all ES content published on website.
Improves the layout, look, and feel of content, and works with ES Director of Communications and Central Communications to ensure adherence to Brookings-wide site styling.
Maintains and optimizes ES scholar biographies on brookings.edu.
Serves as ES liaison to Brookings web team, as well as other program web and publication managers, by attending regular web coordinator meetings and ensures VP and center directors are informed of new features and issues of concern.
Editorial and Promotions Strategy Support (35%)
With oversight from Director of Communications, manages the development of communications plans for key products and projects.
Assists the Director of Communications and ES program staff in editing blog posts, op-eds, reports, and other written materials.
Writes original content for the Brookings website and digital properties when appropriate to summarize and translate new research.
Working with the Director of Communications, develops digital content strategies to enhance promotion and readership of ES research and outreach products.
Raises visibility of ES content by optimizing digital assets including blog posts, video, audiograms, and infographics.
Works with Central Communications and external contractors to provide data visual, graphic design, and multimedia support to research teams.
Project Management (20%)
With oversight from the Director of Communications, creates and manages project plans for key products and projects.
Tracks research in key cross-center issue areas to support internal coordination and funding efforts.
Organizes meetings with ES centers for project planning around key research priorities.
Distributes regular and ad-hoc updates on project progress and impact.
Newsletter Strategy and Content Creation (10%)
Curates, edits, and publishes internal and external newsletters and advises centers on production and promotion of their respective newsletters.
Working with the Media Relations and Outreach Manager, coordinates digital promotions efforts with other Brookings programs and Central Communications.
With oversight from the Director of Communications, regularly evaluates and adjusts the ES newsletter strategy to align with engagement goals.
Qualifications
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. Minimum four years of related experience including editorial, and web site content management required. Writing, editing, or proofreading experience required. Experience in policy or educational environment preferred.
Knowledge/Skill Requirements
WordPress experience required. Proficiency with InDesign, Microsoft Office, and basic Photoshop required. Familiarity with optimizing graphics for online use required. Must be able to learn other new technology applications for communications and design. Proficiency with JavaScript, HTML, and CSS preferred. Final Cut Pro X, Adobe Premier, or similar video software experience strongly preferred. Strong writing ability and familiarity with AP style required.
Excellent communication, organizational, time management, and administrative skills. Ability to innovatively, creatively and effectively leverage Economic Studies electronic communications tools to promote research and policy initiatives. High degree of self-motivation and good work ethic with a proven ability to work under pressure with minimal supervision and as part of a team. Creative and positive-thinker and learner. Demonstrates initiative, dependability, and precision. Can juggle multiple projects and competing priorities simultaneously. Able to work independently, under short deadlines, and deliver in a rapidly changing, fast-paced environment.
Must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S.
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, including diversity of experience, thought, and personal background. We welcome applications that reflect a variety of backgrounds based on ideology, race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, 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.All selection decisions are based upon merit, skills, abilities and experience.