Communications Specialist, Employment and Economic Opportunity

AIR is looking to hire a Communications Specialist for our Employment and Economic Opportunity Program to support strategic business development and communications efforts by translating growth priorities into targeted outreach, events, and engagement activities. This role will help advance the program's visibility and brand through proactive business development initiatives, sponsorships, conferences, marketing campaigns, and external engagement opportunities. This role will help advance the program's visibility and brand through proactive business development initiatives, sponsorships, conferences, marketing campaigns, and external engagement opportunities.

Candidates hired for the position may work remotely within the United States (U.S.) or from one of our U.S. office locations. This does not include U.S. territories.

About AIR:

Founded in 1946 and headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, the American Institutes for Research (AIR) is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization that conducts behavioral and social science research and delivers technical assistance to address some of the most pressing challenges in the United States and globally. We generate evidence and apply data-driven solutions that expand opportunities and improve lives for all.

Responsibilities:

• Translate business development strategies into actionable plans and deliverables, including identifying event opportunities for networking and thought leadership with targeted audiences.
• Develop and execute outreach strategies tied to business development priorities with a keen eye for brand positioning and messaging.
• Manage logistics for proactive business development efforts, including sponsorships, in-person and virtual events, email promotions, and social media campaigns.
• Support conference planning and external engagement activities, including preparing event agendas and presentations, coordinating promotional materials, and supporting staff participation.
• Identify event and outreach asset needs and coordinate their development and production.
• Coordinate with program leadership to balance proactive and responsive business development efforts, ensure timely follow-through on business development and communications activities, and establish processes to measure, track, and report on outcomes.

Qualifications:

Education, Knowledge, and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, or a related field; or Master's degree with a minimum of 4 years of relevant experience in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, or a related field.
• Experience supporting external clients, managing small teams, and working within a shared services model.
• Proficiency in using tools (like Google Analytics) to compile website performance and traffic metrics to generate robust analytics reports and inform strategy.
• Experience developing creative products (e.g., GIFs, video) using digital-first, accessible design principles.
• Proven track record of developing and implementing dissemination plans. 
• Knowledge of business development strategy and proposal development. 

Skills

• Skilled in developing integrated communications strategies that support thought leadership and organizational visibility.
• Skilled in developing outreach campaigns, including social media and email promotions, digital marketing, and content development.
• Excellent time management skills and ability to handle multiple projects involving numerous changes simultaneously. 
• Highly familiar with tools for building and analyzing social media outreach (LinkedIn, Facebook, X)
• Strong writing, editing, and presentation skills.
• Ability and interest in learning and using accessible communications technologies and content management systems such as Drupal.
• Ability to advise internal stakeholders and external clients on communications best practices.

Disclosures: Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the U.S. on a full-time basis. Employment-based visa sponsorship (including H-1B sponsorship) is not available for this position. Depending on project work, qualified candidates may need to meet certain residency requirements.

American Institutes for Research is an equal employment opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without discrimination on the basis of any characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law, including, but not limited to, actual or perceived race (including traits historically associated with race, such as hair texture, hair type, and protective hairstyles such as braids, locs, and twists), creed, color, religion, alienage or national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition (e.g., cancer), sex, gender, gender identity or expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, civil union status, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, genetic information, or military or veteran status. AIR adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo reference and background checks. AIR maintains a drug-free work environment.

ACCESSIBILITY NOTICE: If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process due to a physical or mental disability, please send an email to [email protected] or call 202.403.5000.

Fraudulent Job Scams Warning & Disclaimer: AIR is aware of individuals falsely presenting themselves as AIR representatives. Fraudulent job scams seek to extract sensitive information or money from victims. To protect yourself, please be aware that AIR recruitment will only email you from an "@air.org" domain. Please take extra caution while examining the email address. For example, [email protected] is correct, while [email protected] is not a legitimate AIR email address. If you are unsure of the legitimacy of a communication you have received, please reach out to [email protected].

If you see a job scam, or lose money to one, report it to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. You can also report it to your state attorney general. Learn more about how to avoid scams at ftc.gov/scams.

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AIR’s Total Rewards Program, is designed to reward our staff competitively and motivate them to achieve our critical mission. This position offers the anticipated annual salary as listed. Salary offers are made based on internal equity within the institution and external equity with competitive markets. Please note this is the annual salary range for candidates that are based in the United States.

Anticipated Annual Salary Range$96,650—$102,000 USD