Hiring: Project Manager, Communications, Pew Center on the States
Posted by Aaron Koos on June 15, 2009 · Leave a Comment
The Pew Center on the States (PCS) works to advance state policies that serve the public interest. PCS conducts highly credible research, brings together diverse perspectives, and analyzes states’ experiences to determine what works and what doesn’t as part of The Pew Charitable Trusts’ broader effort to study and promote nonpartisan policy solutions for pressing and emerging problems affecting Americans.
PCS makes use of the basic tools required to help states explore and advance effective policies, regardless of the issue: credible, timely and user-friendly research; assessments of public support for change; strategic outreach and dissemination to ensure that good information is widely communicated to state decision-makers, media, influential stakeholders and the public; the capacity to bring together diverse perspectives and find common ground; and the ability to identify approaches that have proven successful elsewhere.
PCS tracks and measures how well states are faring in a range of important issues through 50-state assessments, policy briefs, case studies and report cards. Trends to Watch is an integrated research tool that showcases critical areas driving state policy in the 21st century. The Government Performance Project measures and grades states on how efficiently and effectively they operate, and helps states learn from one another to improve their performance.
Through research and a network of state-based partners PCS hones in on policy areas of critical importance to advance effective policy solutions. PCS operates major initiatives in early education, sentencing and corrections, and election reform. PCS also partners with other Pew projects in areas such as such as climate change and states’ response to the foreclosure crisis. While these issues are quite different, the projects have several important elements in common. All are grounded in credible, rigorous, nonpartisan research, focus on pragmatic solutions, and shine a spotlight on states that have succeeded so that other states can learn about effective approaches. They also engage a diverse range of partners in the states and at the national level.
PCS staff have expertise in research, communications, convenings and coalition building; those engaged in issue-specific projects have deep substantive expertise.
Pew Center on the States – Children’s Portfolio
Seven years ago, Pew established a national initiative to advance quality pre-kindergarten for all 3 and 4 year olds. Through the success of this campaign, now housed in PCS, Pew has established a strong reputation for successfully advancing smart state policies and practices that help young children become healthy, productive adults.
Today, PCS has multiple efforts underway to advance critical issues for kids. All employ the same creative approach, disciplined message on the fiscal benefits of research-based investments, and sophisticated cross-state advocacy that have made our preschool initiative so effective.
In 2006, Pew joined with other funders to create the Partnership for America’s Economic Success, a four-year effort to research the economic returns to investments in children prenatal to age five.
In June, we launched two new advocacy campaigns: to improve access to dental care for disadvantaged children and to expand proven home visiting services for at-risk families.
In addition, Pew expects to continue its pre-kindergarten campaign at full funding for another two years, with a phase-out period starting in 2011.
To make all of this work more effectively and capitalize on what we have learned through our preschool initiative, PCS is consolidating our kids-focused projects into one children’s portfolio. The projects will work collaboratively, sharing experience and expertise across topic areas. Some staff will work across all projects, while others will be dedicated largely to a particular project but invited and expected to collaborate for the benefit of the overall portfolio. In addition, each project will work closely with, and benefit from, PCS’ Research and
Development unit and Communications staff.
Project Description: Pre-K Now
Pre-K Now was created as a part of a major grant-making strategy of The Pew Charitable Trusts. It was Pew’s original vision to educate national and state leaders and the public about research-based policies that support voluntary access to high-quality pre-kindergarten for all three-and four-year-old children in this nation.
Pre-K Now’s mission is to collaborate with advocates and policymakers to lead a movement for high-quality, voluntary pre-kindergarten for all three and four year olds. We pursue this goal by:
providing financial and technical assistance to advocates and other leaders in targeted states to educate policymakers and the public about the benefits of quality public pre-kindergarten programs;
strengthening the capacity and skills of early childhood advocates and
state leaders to lead policymaker and public education efforts; and
waging a targeted effort to educate and mobilize key sectors of the
public and policymakers at the national level about the severity of the
American school readiness problem and the potential that high-quality
pre-kindergarten for all has for addressing the problem and boosting
K-12 student achievement for all children.
Position Overview
The Project Manager, Communications position offers a unique opportunity
for an individual to contribute to exciting, high-profile initiatives.
This position, based in Pew’s Washington, D.C. office, will report to
the PCS Project Director, Communications, Pre-K Now and will be part of
Communications’ project staff in a growing Communications department of
the Pew Center on the States. The position will have a close working
relationship with the Communications Manager of Children’s Policy Group.
The position will oversee Pre-K Now’s communications staff (3) and
supervise their day-to-day activities. The individual ensures that
Pre-K Now’s communications strategy is aligned with state and federal
policy goals. The position will also contribute to the development and
use of strong messages based on research and current polling data for
other projects in the children’s portfolio. The position requires
strong strategic vision and planning, excellent leadership, writing, and
editing skills. This position will also work in tandem with other PCS
Communications colleagues to plan and execute integrated PCS strategies,
campaign and outreach and other duties as assigned.
Responsibilities:
Communications Strategy:
Develop and implement communications strategies that support Pre-K Now’s
state and federal policy objectives and raise the organization’s profile
nationally and in targeted states.
Provide strategic advice and contribute to the communications efforts of
other projects within the children’s portfolio and other PCS projects.
Manages collaborative working relationships between PCT and PCS
Communications to ensure strategic priorities around all communications
activities are in alignment with Trusts goals.
Routinely evaluate Pre-K Now’s messaging materials to take advantage of
trends in pre-k coverage, current issues under debate or broader themes
in the media climate.
Media Relations:
Manages the creation, development and implementation of effective
national and state media strategies and campaigns that contribute to a
well-defined media presence for PCS and Pre-K Now.
Ensure organizational message discipline through maintenance of
messaging materials, regular staff media trainings and editorial review
of all organizational products, including reports, media advisories,
press releases, op-eds, speeches and presentations.
Generates positive media coverage in new and creative ways, effectively
curtails negative press; manages overall reputation/image among election
administration, academic, and policy community.
Builds working relationships with media targets to draft, pitch and
ensure promotion of PCS’ strategic priorities.
Actively monitors, tracks and circulates media coverage of PCS.
Publications and Web Communications:
Direct production of print, audio and video materials, including
reports, articles, policy papers, fact sheets, and other communications
materials and create distribution plans for these products.
Working with Web Manager, writes and edits Web materials, including
summary pages, and page text.
Assist in developing and executing Web strategy that optimizes usage of
online tools.
Other:
Manage Pre-K Now communications budget.
Oversee day-to-day activities of Pre-K Now communications staff
responsible for media relations and Internet communications as well as
those of related consultants.
Serve as primary liaison to Pre-K Now partners and allies for all
technical assistance with communications.
Handle selection, hiring and management of outside public relations
vendors.
Prepare materials for internal audiences and contributes to the work of
other PCS team members through writing and editing of memos, board
updates and strategy papers.
Ensure that internal and external audiences are kept apprised of PCS
updates through informal newsletters, mailings and other vehicles.
Participate in conferences, seminars and other professional development
activities to keep current in pre-k education issues.
Contribute to and participate in tasks of PCS as assigned, as well as
broader Pew-wide projects and/or committees as needed.
Requirements:
A minimum of 8 years of progressively responsible experience in public
policy or advocacy communications. Experience that demonstrates a high
level of understanding of pre-k education and policy, including working
with state policy makers, researchers, advocates and other stakeholders
as well as knowledge of the current trends, principal theories, leading
thinkers, major concerns and climate for change in the field is
preferred.
Demonstrated understanding of a broad set of communications functions,
roles and skills, including emerging technologies and tactics.
Exceptional written and oral communications skills. Able to synthesize
material and to focus quickly on the essence of an issue and the means
to address it. Proven experience drafting public media materials and
other public documents including press releases, fact sheets, op-eds.
Strong management and leadership skills and experience in developing
staff.
Ability to craft and articulate a vision and to identify steps and
tactics necessary to achieve strategic goals.
Excellent political skills and judgment and demonstrated ability to
create consensus among diverse groups of partners and allies.
Ability to thrive in a creative, fast-paced and highly professional
corporate culture that emphasizes excellence, collegiality and teamwork.
Demonstrated time- and project-management skills, including an ability
to meet multiple deadlines by maintaining a high level of organization.
Ability to set priorities and identify resources.
Ability to work independently with limited supervision. Flexible and
able to routinely juggle multiple competing priorities and work in teams
of both support and senior staff to meet project goals.
Strong systems skills including Microsoft office products required.
A minimum of a bachelor’s degree; graduate degree preferred.
Travel
It is anticipated that the individual in this position will travel
domestically and to the Trusts’ Philadelphia offices as needed.
Compensation: We offer a competitive salary and excellent benefits
package, including a generous 401(k) plan, four weeks vacation and
flexible benefit options.
Candidates are invited to visit the Trusts’ Web site at
www.pewtrusts.org, and PCS’s web site at www.pewcenteronthestates.org.
