Research Communications Analyst/Sr. Research Comms Analyst

Child Trends is seeking a research communications analyst/senior research communications analyst to help lead research translation and dissemination efforts for large projects focused on adolescent health, sexual and reproductive health, early care and education, and other topics related to improving the lives of children and families. This individual will work as a member of our Client Communications team. Application reviews will begin immediately.

The research communications analyst/senior research communications analyst will focus heavily on developing strategic communications plans and promotion schedules, collaborating with project leaders to meet dissemination goals and develop dissemination products, and conducting quality control on draft promotional materials. A typical day in this role includes creating content for newsletters and other outreach materials; writing, reviewing, and editing social media copy; developing and analyzing metrics for websites, social media, and newsletters; and planning and supporting webinar development and meetings. This position involves training and mentoring assistants to improve dissemination skills and support professional development.

Possible Duties

• Content development

• Understands scientific research and distills key research findings into engaging, succinct messages for a variety of communications channels
• Reviews and edits draft copy to deliver to clients high-quality and research-based content for email digests, newsletters, and research reports
• Designs and provides feedback on formatted print materials such as one-pagers and flyers
• Reviews new data and citations for dissemination materials, such as journal articles, research reports, and other publications
• Designs graphics, figures, and other images for publications and presentations
• Manages multimedia production and vendors to develop GIFs, short videos, and webinars

• Social media and website management

• Develops social media plans to manage social media presence for clients, identifying conversation opportunities and amplifying key messages
• Collaborates with project leaders to organize social media events that promote client accomplishments, disseminate health information and resources, elevate youth voice, and engage strategic partners
• Writes and reviews draft social media posts and designs graphics with alternative text for users with disabilities
• Analyzes social media metrics and reports findings and recommendations to clients
• Implements routine and ad hoc website maintenance, including editing text, updating navigation menus, and using existing content types and blocks
• Reviews and formats website content and documents for Section 508 compliance to be accessible for people with disabilities

• Youth engagement

• Coordinates and plans youth engagement activities including webinars, listening sessions, and calls for youth-created content
• Works with youth participants to prepare for youth engagement activities

• Project management

• Prepares presentations and updates on tasks for clients
• Coordinates client requests and answers client questions
• Responds to ad hoc requests such as implementing website edits and social media posts
  

Qualifications

Required

• Master’s degree or equivalent in public health, communications, public policy, sociology, psychology, political science, economics, or related field
• Demonstrated record of success in prior professional activities with at least two-three years’ experience post master’s degree for a senior analyst role OR bachelor’s degree plus 4-5 years of relevant experience
• Experience with strategic communications and outreach planning, metrics analysis for continuous quality improvement, and creative problem-solving
• Demonstrated understanding of social science research and dissemination
• A desire to work in a collaborative, remote environment
• Excellent writing skills, as demonstrated in writing samples, as well as presentation skills
• Familiarity with email marketing tools (e.g., Constant Contact, MailChimp), content management systems (e.g., Drupal, WordPress), and social media platforms (e.g., X/Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn)

Preferred

• Knowledgeable about health equity, sexual and reproductive health, adolescent health, early care and education, and/or race equity
• Understanding of Google Analytics and HTML
• Experience in federal contracting and client relationship management
• Fluency in Spanish

Locations: Flexible Remote Work; Child Trends’ offices are based in Rockville, MD; Chapel Hill, NC; Minneapolis, MN. Many Child Trends staff work remotely, and while we are set up to hire remote staff in many states, we are not yet operating everywhere in the US and do not have any overseas operations. We are currently approved to hire full-time staff in AK, AL, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IL, IN, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MT, NC, NH, NJ, NM, NY, OK, OR, PA, TN, TX, VA, WI, and WV. The organization will require time to assess additional set up requirements (e.g., employment and tax law) for locations outside of areas where we are currently approved to hire. Individuals who would like to work from areas outside of the currently approved states, if offered the position, should indicate this preference as early as possible in the application process.

Benefits:
For all full-time and part-time employees who work a minimum of 20 hours per week, we offer generous vacation + sick leave + paid holidays; optional individual/domestic partner/family medical, dental and vision benefits effective first day of employment; optional pet benefits; pre-tax reimbursement funds (FSA, HSA, Commuter); life insurance; short/long term disability, basic life and AD&D coverage paid for by Child Trends; paid family leave; paid bereavement leave; professional development and tuition reimbursement allowance; and 403(b) retirement plan with immediate vesting and Child Trends contributions after 1 year of employment. To learn more, go to https://www.childtrends.org/about-us/careers and click " Benefits."

Background Investigation:

Jobs that involve interactions with children and positions that rely on high levels of trust to perform duties are subject to a background check at the time of hire. Employment will be contingent upon successful completion of a background investigation including criminal history. We will always conduct interviews of qualified individuals prior to requesting a criminal background check and never inquire into an applicant's criminal history until interviews have been conducted and offer decisions are being made. Current employees may also be subject to future background checks depending on the nature of their duties. A criminal history will not automatically disqualify a candidate or current employee from employment, however any convictions related to the responsibilities and requirements of the position may do so.

How to Apply:

Please follow the “apply” link to submit your application. When asked by the system to upload resume, please upload one document that includes your resume, cover letter, writing sample, official or unofficial transcripts , and contact information for three professional references. Materials must be combined into one document in order to be uploaded. If you have any difficulties with this process please email the requested materials to recruitment(at)childtrends.org and make sure to reference the position in the subject line. No phone calls please!

Child Trends is a nonprofit, nonpartisan research center headquartered in Rockville, MD with more than 200 staff in over 28 states that provides valuable information and insights on the well-being of children, youth, and their families. For more than 40 years, policymakers, funders, educators, and service providers in the U.S. have relied on our data and analyses to make better decisions and policies on programs serving children, families, and youth. www.childtrends.org  

Child Trends is committed to hiring, retaining, and promoting staff who bring a rich diversity of experience to support our mission of improving the lives and prospects of children and youth, especially those made most vulnerable by the effects of historical and ongoing systemic discrimination. Together, we envision a world in which a child’s race, ethnicity, family income, gender, sexual orientation, disability status or any other social identity does not determine how that child will fare in life. Therefore, we approach every aspect of our work with these ideals in mind and encourage professionals who share in our commitment to apply.   

Child Trends is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. Protected veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.