Communication Associate Jobs in Sterling, VA (NOW HIRING)

Department

SSD Development Economics Center: Staff and Temporary Employees

About the Department

The Development Innovation Lab at the University of Chicago uses the tools of economics to develop innovations with the potential to benefit millions of people in low- and middle-income countries. It was founded and is led by Nobel laureate Michael Kremer.

Job Summary

The job plans, prepares and disseminates information designed to keep the public informed of the University's perspectives, programs, and accomplishments. Work is performed with a moderate level of guidance, and typically includes marketing, press relations, creative editorial and design services, and internal communications.
The Policy & Communications Associate will help raise DIL's digital profile by increasing our digital presence and supporting broader communications objectives. This role will coordinate with research and policy staff to turn complex economics and policy research into compelling digital content. This position will be responsible for updating content on DIL's website, social media, and other digital platforms, and will use performance data and analytics to maximize reach and impact.
The ideal candidate has strong project management, writing, and editing skills, and a strong interest in DIL's mission. This role requires someone who can translate complex research into plain language for lay audiences, coordinate content across multiple internal teams and external communication channels, and create polished, professional policy materials.
This role offers the opportunity to achieve a big impact on lives globally and gain exposure and experience in the international development field at an innovative organization led by Nobel Prize winning economist Michael Kremer.

Responsibilities

• Updates content on the DIL website on a regular basis to ensure information is precise, accurate, current, well-organized, optimized for user experience, and compelling to target audiences, including policymakers, partners, donors, and other stakeholders.
• In coordination with senior leadership, help develop new digital features for the DIL website, including new project and event pages.
• Plans and drafts regular social media posts aligned with new research results, project updates, and evolving organizational priorities, primarily on LinkedIn and X.
• Identifies and executes creative ways to highlight students, staff, and alumni on digital channels.
• Develops and tracks communications metrics to quantify website and social media reach and engagement and inform recommendations for improvement.
• Boosts DIL participation in external events by coordinating, creating and disseminating event-related content, including through press releases, multimedia, and social media.
• Supports field teams to engage local photographers and ensure regular production of visual content.
• Writes and edits content that translates complex research into engaging, plain-language summaries suitable for broad audiences on DIL's website, social media platforms, and targeted emails, in collaboration with internal subject matter experts.
• Coordinates production of press releases for DIL team members and dissemination to targeted media outlets, both in the US and overseas.
• Supports the creation of funding pitch decks, donor communications, reports, and other projects as assigned.
• Strengthens internal communications templates, guidelines, and trainings to equip staff members with tools for effective communications and audience engagement, in coordination with DIL leadership
• Collaborates with recruitment managers to ensure job postings are disseminated widely to relevant audiences.
• Collaborates with staff across international locations to hire and manage freelance photographers as needed; organizes and maintains an internal digital photo library showcasing DIL's research and policy work.
• Supports administration ofcommunications contracts for web development, graphic design, photography, and other work as needed.
• Collaborates with internal subject matter experts to understand key communications goals and needs, coordinate with leadership to align goals across teams, and create internal resources to meet team needs.
• Helps build a proactive media engagement strategy aligned with current events, in coordination with senior leadership.
• Monitors brand consistency across print and digital channels
• Strengthens internal systems for content production, review, and clearance.
• Plans, develops and disseminates information designed to keep the public informed of the organization's programs, accomplishments, or point of view, with moderate levels of guidance and direction.
• Continues to build higher level knowledge of the University, processes and customers.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelors degree.

Experience:

• Demonstrated experience communicating complex research findings and policy recommendations. Candidates may be recent graduates with related internships, or with past experience in communications, research, and/or international development.
• Masters degree in economics, public policy, communications, journalism or a related field.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Familiarity with design tools (e.g., Canva, Adobe Creative Suite) and content management systems (e.g., WordPress).
• Coursework in economics and/or demonstrated success communicating evidence-based policy.
• Intermediate-level training in economics and/or public policy (econometrics, statistics, quantitative analysis training).
• Experience translating complex research into plain-language content for a mainstream policy audience.

Preferred Competencies

• Demonstrated success supporting multiple-platform engagement strategies.
• Ability to write engaging content with close attention to detail, precision, and accuracy to research findings.
• Ability to coordinate effectively across international teams and locations and adapt working style to different professional contexts.
• Comfort using website/social media analytics to shape, refine approach.
• Strong organization skills with high attention to detail.
• Ability to work on and prioritize multiple tasks.
• Ability to work well under pressure and meet deadlines.

Working Conditions

• This is a hybrid position with at least expected three days in-person per week.
• Candidates must be willing to travel flexibly as needed for their respective responsibilities.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)
• Cover Letter (required)
• Professional References Contact Information (3) (required)

The University of Chicago uses AI-assisted tools to streamline and augment some recruitment processes; however, AI is not used to make hiring decisions.
When applying, the document(s) MUSTbe uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Job Family

Communications

Role Impact

Individual Contributor

Scheduled Weekly Hours

37.5

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Pay Rate Type

Salary

FLSA Status

Exempt

Pay Range

$63,426.00 - $82,080.00

The included pay rate or range represents the University's good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.

Benefits Eligible

Yes

The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at:http://securityreport.uchicago.edu.Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.