Communications Associate

Position Focus:

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 governance – and also related to economic inclusion of poor and marginalized people in developing countries, in order to generate enthusiasm and understanding of this work among students, funders, potential research collaborators, and other audiences.

Reporting to the Communications Director at 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.

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. 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 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: coordinating speakers, guests, developing, publishing, and disseminating communications material, advertising on social media and through other channels, coordinating rental of video and recording equipment. Manage communications activities for webinars and podcasts, 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. Draft and disseminate internal newsletters. Assist in developing communications guidelines – oversee the team’s use use of branding materials and guidelines. Support development of a knowledge management webpage and style guide. Contribute to communications-related trainings for staff at Yale and affiliated hub organizations to ensure guidelines and best practices are followed across initiatives.

Other responsibilities related to communications and policy dissemination.

Dept/Section URL

Essential Duties

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 demonstrated experience in writing, social media, digital journalism (, video, audio blogging, etc.) or an equivalent combination of education and demonstrated experience.

Required Skill/Ability 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.

Required Skill/Ability 2:

Demonstrated ability running or contributing to social media campaigns, and increasing social media audiences. Graphic design and/or website design experience (in platforms such as Drupal, Adobe, or Canva).

Required Skill/Ability 3:

Proven ability to manage multiple tasks and propose solutions in a timely manner with minimal supervision. Excellent attention to detail. Capacity to maintain an organized and structured work style in a fast-paced environment.

Required Skill/Ability 4:

Strong interpersonal skills, and willingness to interact with a wide range of individuals ranging from Research Associates to academics, donors, research institutions, etc. Ability to work in a multicultural environment. Ability to understand and navigate complex institutional settings and arrangements.

Required Skill/Ability 5:

Willingness to visit international research project sites as necessary.

Preferred Education, Experience and Skills:

Masters or higher degree in a related field plus two years of demonstrated experience in communications-focused role, ideally focused on development economics research or development policy.

Weekend Hours Required?

Occasional

Evening Hours Required?

Occasional

Drug Screen

No

Health Screening

No

Background Check Requirements

All candidates for employment will be subject to pre-employment background screening for this position, which may include motor vehicle, DOT certification, drug testing and credit checks based on the position description and job requirements. All offers are contingent upon the successful completion of the background check. For additional information on the background check requirements and process visit "Learn about background checks" under the Applicant Support Resources section of Careers on the It's Your Yale website.

COVID-19 Vaccine Requirement

The University maintains policies pertaining to COVID-19. All faculty, staff, students, and trainees are required to comply with these policies, which may be found here:

Posting Disclaimer

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the essential functions that will be required of the position and should not be construed as a declaration of specific duties and responsibilities of the particular position. Employees will be assigned specific job-related duties through their hiring departments.