Strategic Communications Manager, News & Information

Company: Pew Research Center
Location: Washington
Posted on: April 1, 2026

Job Description:

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, program and panel development, speaker handling, and logistics. Experiment with new dissemination strategies and delivery channels for existing material, and use generative AI to streamline workflow; Stay informed about, and apply, new technologies and trends; Learn best practices through industry conferences and peers. Stakeholder and donor engagement Liaise and collaborate with external funders, including presenting communication plans, brainstorming key audiences, sharing contacts, coordinating on events and promotion and reporting on outcomes. Develop budget recommendations for paid marketing opportunities. Represent the Center and promote its research at relevant conferences. Liaise with external partners, including major media organizations, other research institutions, conveners and donors, to ensure effective and smooth collaboration for dissemination and research partnerships. Brand and reputation management Protect Pew Research Center’s gold-standard brand by providing superior judgment to avoid reputational damage and working with leadership to craft thoughtful responses to critical coverage. Ensure that outgoing content and messaging exemplify Pew Research Center’s core values. Advise the Center’s senior leadership on reputation management by providing counsel about the reputational costs and benefits of external-facing initiatives. Monitor media and public discourse about the Center’s work, track media coverage, and follow up on inaccurate data citations. Ensure that collateral and other external-facing material are consistent with the Center’s style and standards. Institutional communications Report on research activities and dissemination outcomes to the communications team, Pew Research Center’s leadership and board, and the Center’s parent organization, The Pew Charitable Trusts. Measure qualitative and quantitative performance indicators related to the dissemination of research. Share relevant research findings about the news media with the team to inform the Center’s own communications strategy. Opportunities Pew Research Center offers communications managers a broad range of opportunities to develop and sharpen their skills and grow as a communications professional in a supportive and encouraging work environment focused on collaboration and collective success. This includes project leadership opportunities and the autonomy to take initiative toward reaching institutional goals and advancing the Center's mission. There’s space to travel and attend events, conferences, and relevant gatherings to enhance professional development. All Center staff are encouraged to get involved in internal initiatives and enhance the workplace experience. Communications managers are empowered to guide junior staff and contribute to their professional development. Similarly, communications managers may take advantage of mentoring opportunities provided by the Center’s senior staff. Communications managers are offered opportunities to engage in projects that increase their visibility at the Center. Their supervisor proactively supports them in identifying learning opportunities and stretch goals that set them up for long-term professional success. Knowledge and skills requirements Advanced media relations experience, including experience working with non-traditional media, including podcasters, content creators and other new media. Experience working with donors, including presenting strategy, reporting on outcomes, contributing to budgets and collaborating on events. Excellent project management skills. Experience using project management tools like Asana is a plus. Exceptional verbal communication and writing skills. Ability to work within and across teams, under deadline and with diplomacy and poise. A demonstrated interest in public opinion polling and Pew Research Center’s research topics. Creative, proactive and strategic thinker with a growth mindset and a “yes, and” mentality. Highly organized, adaptable, detail-oriented, dependable and solutions-focused contributor. Proficiency with Microsoft Office (especially Teams, Outlook, Word, PowerPoint and Excel). Knowledge of media outreach and tracking tools such as Meltwater and Salesforce. Knowledge of communications strategic planning and experience with a wide range of outreach tactics. Education/training/experience requirements Bachelor's degree in public relations, communications, mass media, journalism, politics or related field. 5-7 years of relevant experience. Experience in a nonprofit, think tank, research or academic environment strongly preferred. Knowledge of Washington, national and international press corps, and proven record of cultivating media relationships. The communications manager is a member of the 15-person Strategic Communications team and reports to the Associate Director of Communications. FLSA Status: Exempt Compensation: The typical starting salary for this position is $90,000 annually. Hybrid Work Schedule: Pew Research Center staff are required to be present in the Center’s Washington, D.C., office three core days weekly (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday). Staff may work virtually from remote locations on other days in a typical work week. Application Procedure: Click on the Apply button, and complete required fields. Both cover letter and resume are required. When requested, please upload a copy of your resume/cv, as well as a copy of your cover letter in the section labeled Resume/Cover Letter. If the documents have successfully uploaded, you should see 2 attached files beneath the “Drop files here” box. Please make sure you have uploaded a resume AND a cover letter before moving on to the next page. Total Rewards In addition to competitive pay, Pew Research Center’s employees enjoy a robust total rewards package that includes: Affordable, comprehensive health care that includes medical, dental (including adult orthodontia) and vision benefits. Generous paid annual leave plan, including a winter break between Dec. 25 and Jan. 1 Employer-paid disability, life insurance and paid family leave plans Up to a 12% employer 401(k) contribution, with vesting at the end of the first year. A 37.5-hour workweek. Health savings or flexible spending account options with employer funding component. Flexibility to telework a portion of each week, with an additional four telework “flex weeks” each year for most staff. EEO: Pew Research Center makes employment decisions without regard to age, sex, race, ethnicity, religion, disability, marital status, sexual orientation or gender identity, military/veteran status, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law. We encourage applications from candidates who represent a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills.

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