Careers: Manager, Policy Communications

Jul 1, 2024

About the Peterson Foundation

The Peter G. Peterson Foundation (the “Foundation”) is working to secure a healthy, growing economy by addressing America’s long-term fiscal challenges. The Foundation partners with leading policy experts, elected officials and the public to build support for solutions to put America on a sustainable fiscal path. As a non-partisan organization, the Foundation engages in grant-making, partnerships, and research to educate and involve Americans from a variety of perspectives.

Department Summary

The Communications and Public Affairs Team at the Peter G. Peterson Foundation is responsible for the external communications of all Peterson entities, working collaboratively across the organization to drive messages and programs that strategically and substantively advance the Foundation’s mission to increase awareness and action around our nation’s fiscal challenges.

Position Description

The Manager, Policy Communications will work on communications activities across the Foundation, as well as related entities including the Peterson Solutions Fund (“PSF”) and the Peterson Center on Healthcare (“Center”). This role will participate in the execution of strategic initiatives, projects and programs that support the mission of the Foundation and strengthen its impact and reach. The manager will play an important role in strategy development, writing, and understanding the political and policy landscape. The Manager will work across departments, as well as with external partners, consultants and vendors, reflecting the multidisciplinary nature of the initiatives and projects this individual will support. The Manager will report to the Chief Writer and Senior Director Policy Communications for the Foundation.

Primary responsibilities include:

  • Collaborate with all Foundation staff including the Communications and Public Affairs, Research and Program teams, Center team, PSF team, as well as grantees to provide support on core communications projects and programs – with a primary focus on responding to and engaging with the current policy and political environment.
  • Analyze, synthesize and summarize information about fiscal and policy issues.
  • Support the Chief Writer and Senior Director in executing writing assignments to support the Foundation’s mission, message, and impact. This will include website content, social media content, messaging, talking points, briefing documents, etc.
  • Function as editor/message approver for pieces, which have been written by another member of the Foundation staff, including material for the Center and the Peterson Health Technology Institute.
  • Develop talking points on a variety of subjects to support Foundation leaders in meetings and presentations.
  • Remain current on the legislative, policy and political landscape as it relates to fiscal and economic issues and provide support on messaging, programs, tactics and audience for our work.
  • Provide support to ensure that Foundation’s policy heavy grants are in line with overall messaging by collaborating with grantees and the Grant makers and Research teams to shape these policy communications elements.
  • Provide support on the Foundation’s public opinion research initiatives, particularly the Fiscal Confidence Index, a monthly measure of public attitudes on fiscal issues.
  • Provide writing support around executive correspondence when required and respond to high-level inquiries and invitations.

Requirements

  • At least six (6) years of professional work experience in Communications/public affairs and/or professional experience in political or policy driven work, preferably in the national political arena.
  • Bachelor’s degree is required.
  • Strong experience writing different types of content and materials.
  • Skilled in working independently and as part of a team.
  • Able to demonstrate initiative, professionalism and attention to detail.
  • Demonstrates interest in and knowledge of fiscal and economic policy, as well as the legislative process generally.
  • Ability to transform complicated policy issues into generally understandable messages.
  • Strong research and analytical skills.
  • Ability to synthesize complex information in a fast-paced environment.
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills.
  • Clear, concise, and accurate writing, editing and proofing skills.
  • Ability to work under tight deadlines and have the organizational skills to prioritize and manage numerous projects at once.
  • Ability to coordinate and collaborate with multiple parties both internally and externally working on complex projects.
  • Openness to feedback and a desire to learn and grow.
  • Experience with a broad array of communications styles, formats and distribution channels.
  • In order to build productive relationships across the organization and to ensure effective collaboration, this role requires in-person presence in accordance with the organization’s hybrid schedule of working in the office three days per week (Monday/Tuesday/Thursday).

Salary and Benefits

We anticipate that the starting base salary range for this position will be $95,000 to $100,000, plus eligibility for an annual discretionary bonus. In addition, we offer a generous benefits package designed to support employee health and well-being, including comprehensive health insurance, a substantial 401k match, paid time off, a hybrid work schedule and other flexible work policies.

To Apply

We are a dynamic, growing organization that embraces critical thinking, problem solving and innovative ideas. If you have relevant experience and qualifications, please send your resume to careers@pgpf.org.

The Peter G. Peterson Foundation is proud to be equal opportunity employers and encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply to our organization. We offer a welcoming community that respects each individual and fosters a diverse set of experiences, perspectives, skills and ideas. We are committed to building a workplace in which every team member can thrive personally and professionally and contribute to our mission.

Solutions Initiative 2024

Seven think tanks from across the ideological spectrum all agree that we are on an unsustainable fiscal path, and we need to change course.

National Debt Clock

See the latest numbers and learn more about the causes of our high and rising debt.