Pew Research Center
Overview
Position Title: Communications Associate, Strategic Communications Position Summary: The communications associate supports communications managers in promoting the Center’s work to the news media, influential voices in new media spaces, key stakeholders and the engaged public. They assist with external relations, media relations, stakeholder engagement, and event planning, including briefings, presentations and panel discussions. They rotate with Center research teams to gain broad exposure to the Center’s work and opportunities in the communications field. The associate reports to the Associate Director of Strategic Communications. Primary Responsibilities
Supports communications managers in outreach efforts for research releases. Assists in developing outreach plans for priority research publications and supports implementation. Serves as an initial point of contact for external inquiries, especially from the media, and responds promptly, accurately and efficiently. Coordinates logistics for interviews and presentations for Center experts. Creates, updates and maintains lists of media and other key contacts, expanding and diversifying target audiences. Maintains and updates collaborative platforms used to coordinate outreach activities, such as the editorial calendar. Stays up-to-date with current events and conversations relevant to supported research areas. Tracks media coverage and documents results of outreach activities for institutional reporting. Identifies themes and opportunities for follow-on visibility and proactive moments. Participates in special projects and new initiatives in support of the Center’s mission. Upholds the Center’s core values of independence, objectivity, accuracy, rigor, humility, transparency and innovation. Knowledge And Skill Requirements
Demonstrated interest in the Center’s research topics, news, and current events. Experience with traditional media relations and awareness of new trends in the information ecosystem. Excellent writing, editing and verbal communication skills. Excellent interpersonal and relationship management skills and a customer service mindset. Advanced self-organization skills and ability to balance multiple time-sensitive priorities and deadlines. Ability to work independently and in a highly collaborative environment. Attention to detail and precision in communicating about data and numbers. Good judgment, self-awareness and accountability. Ability to think strategically and execute tactically. Entrepreneurial mindset, initiative and proactivity. Education/Training/Experience
Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, social science, or related field preferred. 3-5 years of relevant experience in external relations, including media relations. Knowledge of U.S. public discourse and the U.S. media landscape. Experience promoting content through social media and digital channels. Proficiency with media outreach and tracking tools (e.g., Salesforce, Meltwater, Cision, Muck Rack, Mailchimp). Experience managing contact databases such as Salesforce. Experience with collaborative project management platforms (Asana, Trello, Basecamp). Proficiency with Microsoft Office software (Teams, Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint). Location
Pew Research Center staff are required to be present in the Center’s Washington, D.C., office on core in-office days on Tuesdays and Wednesdays (Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday as of January 2026). 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, upload a copy of your resume/cv and a cover letter in the Resume/Cover Letter section. Ensure both documents are uploaded before proceeding. Total Rewards
In addition to competitive pay, Pew Research Center’s employees enjoy a robust total rewards package that includes: Affordable, comprehensive health care (medical, dental, including adult orthodontia, and vision). Generous paid annual leave, 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, vesting after the first year. A 37.5-hour workweek. Health savings or flexible spending account options with employer funding. Flexibility to telework part of each week, with additional telework 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 with diverse backgrounds, perspectives and skills. Seniority level
Mid-Senior level Employment type
Full-time Job function
Marketing, Public Relations, and Writing/Editing Industries
Think Tanks
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Position Title: Communications Associate, Strategic Communications Position Summary: The communications associate supports communications managers in promoting the Center’s work to the news media, influential voices in new media spaces, key stakeholders and the engaged public. They assist with external relations, media relations, stakeholder engagement, and event planning, including briefings, presentations and panel discussions. They rotate with Center research teams to gain broad exposure to the Center’s work and opportunities in the communications field. The associate reports to the Associate Director of Strategic Communications. Primary Responsibilities
Supports communications managers in outreach efforts for research releases. Assists in developing outreach plans for priority research publications and supports implementation. Serves as an initial point of contact for external inquiries, especially from the media, and responds promptly, accurately and efficiently. Coordinates logistics for interviews and presentations for Center experts. Creates, updates and maintains lists of media and other key contacts, expanding and diversifying target audiences. Maintains and updates collaborative platforms used to coordinate outreach activities, such as the editorial calendar. Stays up-to-date with current events and conversations relevant to supported research areas. Tracks media coverage and documents results of outreach activities for institutional reporting. Identifies themes and opportunities for follow-on visibility and proactive moments. Participates in special projects and new initiatives in support of the Center’s mission. Upholds the Center’s core values of independence, objectivity, accuracy, rigor, humility, transparency and innovation. Knowledge And Skill Requirements
Demonstrated interest in the Center’s research topics, news, and current events. Experience with traditional media relations and awareness of new trends in the information ecosystem. Excellent writing, editing and verbal communication skills. Excellent interpersonal and relationship management skills and a customer service mindset. Advanced self-organization skills and ability to balance multiple time-sensitive priorities and deadlines. Ability to work independently and in a highly collaborative environment. Attention to detail and precision in communicating about data and numbers. Good judgment, self-awareness and accountability. Ability to think strategically and execute tactically. Entrepreneurial mindset, initiative and proactivity. Education/Training/Experience
Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, social science, or related field preferred. 3-5 years of relevant experience in external relations, including media relations. Knowledge of U.S. public discourse and the U.S. media landscape. Experience promoting content through social media and digital channels. Proficiency with media outreach and tracking tools (e.g., Salesforce, Meltwater, Cision, Muck Rack, Mailchimp). Experience managing contact databases such as Salesforce. Experience with collaborative project management platforms (Asana, Trello, Basecamp). Proficiency with Microsoft Office software (Teams, Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint). Location
Pew Research Center staff are required to be present in the Center’s Washington, D.C., office on core in-office days on Tuesdays and Wednesdays (Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday as of January 2026). 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, upload a copy of your resume/cv and a cover letter in the Resume/Cover Letter section. Ensure both documents are uploaded before proceeding. Total Rewards
In addition to competitive pay, Pew Research Center’s employees enjoy a robust total rewards package that includes: Affordable, comprehensive health care (medical, dental, including adult orthodontia, and vision). Generous paid annual leave, 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, vesting after the first year. A 37.5-hour workweek. Health savings or flexible spending account options with employer funding. Flexibility to telework part of each week, with additional telework 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 with diverse backgrounds, perspectives and skills. Seniority level
Mid-Senior level Employment type
Full-time Job function
Marketing, Public Relations, and Writing/Editing Industries
Think Tanks
#J-18808-Ljbffr