Communications Manager

J-PAL at MIT is recruiting for a Communications Manager to contribute to our mission of transforming rigorous research into better policies that reach people most in need. The Communications Manager will provide organization-wide leadership on digital communications strategy and delivery, brand management, and media relations.

The ideal candidate has 6-8 years of experience in communications in international development and/or social policy, is a strong writer and editor, is familiar with quantitative impact evaluation methods, and has a strong interest in J-PAL’s mission.

This is a hybrid position based in Cambridge, MA, at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Staff are expected to be in the office at least two days per week. This position is not eligible for remote work, visa sponsorship, or OPT extension.

Responsibilities

• Strategic communications: Develop digital communication strategies to increase J-PAL’s global presence and the accessibility and reach of research results and policy insights across several digital platforms, including email marketing, website and blogs, video, social media, and webinars.  
• Website and email marketing: Oversee J-PAL’s Drupal 10 website and email marketing functions, including playing a leading role in prioritizing new website features, web developer vendor management, and planning and executing weekly email marketing campaigns and monthly newsletters, with support from the in-house Website Specialist and other communications team members. 
• Collaborate with the IT team on Salesforce/Drupal/email marketing integrations, help troubleshoot issues with the Website Specialist and external developers, manage web and email marketing budgets in partnership with the Communications Lead, and brainstorm new features to improve user experience.
• Translate complex research into engaging, plain-language content: Work with J-PAL’s subject matter experts to translate research results and policy guidance into engaging communications content, including writing and editing blog posts, monthly newsletters, and regular email campaigns.
• Strategic advising and training: Advise and host trainings for policy and communications staff across J-PAL’s worldwide offices to ensure effective regional digital communications strategies, accurate information delivery, publication goal-setting; oversee overall digital communications work plans. 
• Messaging and branding: Ensure J-PAL’s messaging and branding is consistent and highly responsive across all digital communications platforms, including:
• Collaborating in the development of a brand strategy;
• Liaising closely with J-PAL senior leadership to align on strategy and messaging; 
• Ensuring that the organization’s brand and visual identity are consistent across offices; 
• Identifying key opportunities for J-PAL to respond to breaking news or trending topics; and
• Proactively maintaining a favorable J-PAL public image.
• Press and media relations: Identify media outlets and press contacts interested in J-PAL’s research results, policy engagements, and training opportunities; proactively cultivate relationships with these contacts to pitch stories and serve as their go-to resource. Mentor staff on press and external relations, including delivery of staff workshops on how to improve media relations, communications, and presentation skills.
• Metrics analysis: Analyze metrics to evaluate the strength of J-PAL’s digital communications and suggest evidence-based improvements, including:
  • Analyzing website, publications, video, and social media activity and trends and regularly reporting to senior leadership; and
  • Developing forward-looking strategies based on results of analysis.  
• Mentorship and supervision: Provide day-to-day supervision of the Website Specialist, including weekly and quarterly goal-setting, performance feedback, and annual reviews, and provide oversight of the digital communications components of the communications associates’ portfolios.

Qualifications and skills

Communications experience: You have 6 -8 years of experience in digital communications, including helping manage an organization’s website and email marketing efforts, preferably for a nonprofit or philanthropy and/or in the field of international development. You have proven ability to keep an organization’s digital communications responsive and on message. 

Experience with Drupal or a similar web CMS, Salesforce, Marketing Cloud, and/or Mailchimp is preferred. 

Education: Bachelor’s degree required in Economics, Public Policy, International Development, Communications, Journalism, or related field. Master’s degree preferred, ideally in Communications, Journalism, Public Policy, or International Development. A solid understanding of global development and/or social and economic issues is important.

Storytelling and communication skills: You are detail-oriented and an excellent writer and editor. You understand how to craft a story to communicate a message, including drawing out policy lessons from technical academic research in ways that policymakers, practitioners, and the general public can understand. You are precise, clear, and creative. Accuracy and thoroughness are important to you; you know when to ask the right questions to gather the information you need.

Organization: You are efficient and organized, with exceptional attention to detail to ensure digital communications products are published with zero errors. You enjoy multitasking and have a proven ability to plan, prioritize, and meet tight deadlines. You have a clear and strong vision and appreciation for how your work improves J-PAL’s communications efforts.

Impact evaluation knowledge: Some familiarity (through coursework, independent research, or professional experience) with quantitative impact evaluation methods, including experimental (randomized controlled trials) and quasi-experimental evaluations, is preferred. If you are not familiar with these methods, having genuine curiosity and interest in diving in and learning the technical aspects of randomized evaluations is important.

Team leadership and supervision: You have experience leading small teams, whether for a time-bound project or in a more permanent capacity. Experience supervising one or more entry-level team members is preferred. 

Cultural competencies: You are comfortable and adept at working in a diverse and multicultural work environment, with colleagues, partners, and policymakers from around the world. You display sensitivity, adaptability, and inclusivity in your engagement with people from a wide range of backgrounds, including different ages, abilities, genders, cultures, socioeconomic status, and other identities. 

Language skills: English language fluency (written and spoken) is required. Familiarity with Arabic, French, Portuguese, Spanish, or other languages spoken in our regions of work is a plus, but not required.

Professional development

The Policy and Communications team invests in your professional development. As an associate, you will learn, engage, travel, and grow.

• Learn: J-PAL supports a culture of learning, with opportunities to attend weekly MIT–Harvard Development Seminars and take classes for credit at MIT or elsewhere with our generous tuition assistance program. All J-PAL staff are also eligible to take the innovative online MITx MicroMasters credential in Data, Economics, and Development Policy free of charge.
• Engage: Associates have the opportunity to work with J-PAL researchers, as well as interact with decision-makers and practitioners alongside senior staff. As core content creators, publications authored by associates are distributed to development stakeholders worldwide.
• Travel: Associates have the opportunity to present and conduct trainings at J-PAL’s regional offices and participate in a unique “Staff-to-Field” international experience supporting on-the-ground communications projects during their time at J-PAL.
• Grow: Associates can expect to join a peer group eager to build institutional knowledge and pass on lessons learned. Associates receive one-on-one mentorship from senior staff. Promotions from Associate to Senior Associate are based on performance and ability.

Benefits

As a member of the MIT community, you benefit from more than just your salary. J-PAL hires highly qualified staff and rewards them accordingly. Total compensation packages are competitive for the non-profit international development field with excellent MIT benefits, including comprehensive health insurance, a 401(k) match and pension-based retirement plan, tuition assistance, commuter benefits, MIT community discounts, a generous vacation policy, and more. We like working at MIT and think you will too.

Learn more about working at J-PAL.