Communications Associate- Economic Growth Center (EGC)

This position is a 2-year, renewable fixed term

Overview

The Economic Growth Center (EGC) and Inclusion Economics at Yale University (YIE) seek a Communications Associate to advance strategic communications efforts enabling policy-relevant research to reach public audiences. The role will involve promotion of research in focus areas - such as gender, climate change, and markets and development - and also related to economic inclusion of poor and marginalized people in low- and middle-income countries -to generate enthusiasm and understanding of this work among students, funders, potential research collaborators, and other audiences.

Reporting to the Director of Research Communication and Engagementat EGC, who also oversees communications at YIE, the Communications Associate will support organizational priorities related to communications, policy engagement and events. Day-to-day responsibilities include placing and disseminating content for internal and external communications materials, supporting events aimed at shaping public narratives, and tracking and improving communications coverage and impact.

A cover letter is required as part of the application for this role

Responsibilities for the Communications Associate will include

External Communications

• Manage and update website content with new publications, policy briefs, etc.
• Build and redesign webpages as needed to support new studies, publications, events, personnel, etc. using multiple existing platforms
• Draft, edit and publish social media outputs as promoted through our affiliated organizations to highlight our research and its policy and real-world relevance, including coordinating with other team members on content input
• Edit short videos of events and interviews and post on website and social media.
• Manage social media feeds across platforms (currently LinkedIn, BlueSky and Facebook), including tracking and reporting metrics
• Manage mailing lists and newsletters.
• With input and guidance from research and communications teams, develop and design online and print communications materials, brochures, presentations, newsletters, annual reports, and other collateral and presentation materials; make artistic layouts independently under general supervision and within brand guidelines; create and maintain electronic library of photos, data visualizations and other communications-related elements and templates

Events

• Manage organization of in-person, hybrid and online events and conferences in collaboration with other team members: coordinating speakers, guests, developing, publishing, and disseminating communications material, advertising on social media and through other channels, coordinating rental of video and recording equipment, etc.
• Manage communications for activities such as webinars and public lectures, including liaising with speakers and developing and promoting promotional content through strategic communication channels, with a focus on presenting research at the nexus of development economics and policy

Internal Communications

• Manage the internal database of communications resources and materials such as the photo library
• Draft and disseminate newsletters
• Assist in developing communications guidelines - oversee the team’s use of branding materials such as organizational logos, and ensuring contiuity across platforms and materials.
• Liase with website developers and consultants such as hired photographers and videographers
• Contribute to communications-related trainings for staff at Yale and affiliated hub organizations to ensure guidelines and best practices are followed across initiatives
• Tracking and project management of ongoing communications and event support efforts (including relationship management of contractors)
• Other responsibilities related to communications and policy dissemination

Required Skills and Abilities

1. Excellent oral and written communication skills in English; ability to communicate complex research methods and insights clearly and succinctly for a general interest audience. Background or knowledge of development economics preferred.
2. Experience running or contributing to social media campaigns, and increasing social media audiences.
3. Graphic design and/or website design experience (in platforms such as Drupal, Adobe, or Canva) strongly preferred.
4. Strong project management skills required, with experience using tools such as Asana an asset.
5. Strong interpersonal skills, and willingness to interact with a wide range of individuals ranging from Research Associates to academics, donors, research institutions, etc.

Preferred Education and Experience:

1. Masters or higher degree in a related field plus two years of experience in communications-focused role, ideally focused on development economics research or development policy.
2. Experience in a university, research organization, or non-profit communications environment preferred.

A cover letter is required as part of the application for this role

Principal Responsibilities

1. Develops and manages forward-looking strategic communications with video and social media to enhance Yale’s reputation and communicate Yale’s messages.
2. Produces multimedia content. Identify topics with compelling visual and audio elements to create stories that exploit those qualities, using video, podcasts, infographics, slideshows and other media as appropriate.
3. Works with communications colleagues throughout the school and university to highlight the work of researchers, create a high profile presence, and reach new audiences.
4. Builds relationships with faculty, administrators, departments and students and maintains contact with communications professionals and monitors trending news topics.
5. Conceptualizes and writes creative posts across all social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, and other accounts.
6. Participates in regular editorial/content meetings. Propose story ideas to senior leadership.
7. Regularly attends scientific talks on diverse topics to stay up-to-date on research trends at Yale and beyond.

Required Education and Experience

Bachelor's degree and minimum of two years of experience in writing, social media, digital journalism (e.g., video, audio blogging, etc.) or an equivalent combination of education and experience.