nedsjotw.com

*** From Erin O’Connell:

Ned,

Please share this job opening with the JOTW network.

Thank you very much,

Erin O’Connell

Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life

Communications Associate, Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life, Washington, D.C.

The Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life delivers timely, impartial information on issues at the intersection of religion and public affairs. The Forum is a nonpartisan organization and does not take positions on policy debates. Based in Washington, D.C., the Forum is a project of the Pew Research Center.

Position Summary: The communications associate manages the Forum’s publicity efforts and Web marketing. The communications associate promotes media coverage of the Forum’s work, including its events, publications and polls; writes and edits press releases and other communications materials; tracks press coverage and screens press inquiries; monitors and works to increase Web traffic; and works to expand the Forum’s electronic newsletter subscriber base.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Cultivate and maintain ongoing relationships with members of the press (50%)

 Serve as initial point of contact for press inquiries about Forum events, polls and publications

 Track all media inquiries and set up interviews for Forum spokespersons

 Search for media mentions of the Forum and its work on an ongoing basis and maintain and regularly update list of press hits

 Create and maintain lists of core and specialized media contacts; update and maintain current contacts and information in in-house database

 Assemble press packets for Forum events and follow up with reporters in attendance

 Draft media outreach section of Forum’s quarterly tracking reports

 Work with Associate Director of Programs to develop longer range communications strategies

• Manage publicity for Forum events, polls and publications (30%)

 Help to plan and organize press briefings and meetings; help with logistics at events

 Recommend and develop issue-specific and audience-specific media lists

 Write and edit copy for media advisories and press releases

 Coordinate blast faxes, blast emails, and Web and newsletter publicity

 Send out media advisories and press releases before and after events to garner interest from the press

 Reach out to members of the media with targeted emails and phone calls before and after events, poll releases or publication releases

 Serve as point of contact with newswires, daybooks and C-SPAN

 Track and document media outreach activities

 Take photographs at Forum events to post on the Web site

• Manage Web site marketing and outreach (20%)

 Work with Web marketing firm to increase the number of newsletter subscribers and visits to the Forum’s Web site, and to track and interpret Web usage statistics, including number of visitors, length of visits and number of publication downloads

 Track and submit stories for the Web site’s “Pew Forum in the News” section

 Take lead in conducting research of our audience and its Web needs (online surveys, etc.)

 Draft Web and newsletter section of Forum’s quarterly tracking reports

 Remain informed about Web trends and technology

Knowledge and Skill Requirements:

• Experience with media outreach and knowledge of Washington and foreign press corps

• Exceptional writing and editing skills in materials development for the media and others

• Excellent verbal communication skills

• Excellent computer skills (Word, Excel, PageMaker, etc.)

• Ability to balance multiple priorities, meet deadlines and work well in team-oriented environment

• Must be detail-oriented and highly organized

• Must be able to think strategically and work tactically

• Interest in issues at the intersection of religion and public policy

Education/Training/Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree required

• 3-5 years communications experience at policy-related organization or in journalism

Salary is negotiable. Qualified applicants must send cover letter, resume, salary requirements to careers@pewresearch.org.