Boston University
COMMUNICATIONS & DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATE, Wheelock College of Education and Human
Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, us, 02298
Communications & Development Associate, Wheelock College of Education and Human Development
Boston University’s Wheelock Educational Policy Center (WEPC) conducts and disseminates policy‑relevant research in partnership with local, state, and federal policymakers to improve educational opportunities and outcomes for students.
The Communications & Development Associate (CDA) will operationalize WEPC’s three strategic goals—presence, influence, and growth—by creating and managing public‑facing materials, stewarding the center’s brand identity, and developing and executing its social media strategy. Reporting directly to the Executive Director, the CDA will work across all aspects of the Center to increase WEPC’s visibility and prominence as a leading education policy center in the U.S.
Ideal Candidate To be successful in this role, the ideal candidate will:
Produce compelling written and digital materials: aims for accuracy and attention to detail, internalizes WEPC’s voice across platforms, and shares information effectively.
Be entrepreneurial and resourceful: demonstrates initiative, overcomes challenges, proactively asks for help, and proposes solutions without excessive guidance.
Manage a high volume of work efficiently: develops a system to avoid missed tasks, juggles competing demands, plans backwards to meet deadlines, and asks for help when needed.
Prioritize attention to detail: notices and corrects errors, acknowledges mistakes, and improves outcomes.
Core Responsibilities Writing (40%)
Produce and edit high‑quality, audience‑tailored content (policy briefs, newsletters, editorial articles, blog posts, funding proposals), translating complex research into accessible messaging.
Collaborate with researchers, leadership, and development staff to ensure messaging coherence with current projects and organizational priorities.
Prepare customized communication pieces for external stakeholders, including funders, foundations, corporate partners, and individual donors.
Marketing (40%)
Lead the development and execution of the social media strategy, manage content calendars and engagement tactics.
Oversee graphic design and multimedia content production, coordinate with external vendors, and enforce branding standards.
Monitor education news and policy environments to spot opportunities for WEPC visibility.
Build and maintain partnerships with BU communications teams for consistent brand messaging.
Mentor and supervise student interns, ensuring quality and timeliness.
Project Management (20%)
Plan and execute multiple concurrent projects, set goals, manage timelines, and resolve obstacles with minimal supervision.
Maintain organized records of communications, outreach, and development activities; analyze and report engagement metrics.
Coordinate event planning, webinars, and outreach campaigns.
Manage relationships with external contractors and vendors.
Required Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, journalism, and/or public policy.
3–5 years of professional experience in producing external‑facing materials and executing communication strategies.
Solid understanding of education policy issues and the political context surrounding education communications.
Superior oral and written communication skills, with the ability to distill complex research findings for diverse audiences.
Independent judgment and initiative in managing multiple projects and deadlines.
Proven ability to build productive working relationships across interdisciplinary teams and organizational boundaries.
Preferred Qualifications
Robust experience managing social media channels and executing content strategies.
Fluency with graphic design software (e.g., Canva, Adobe Creative Suite) and website content management systems.
Experience in fundraising, grant‑funded research, and proposal writing.
Passion for education policy and a commitment to advancing research‑driven solutions.
Interest in supervising a team of student interns.
Location:
Boston, MA
We are an equal opportunity employer; all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religious, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, or other protected characteristics. We are a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.
To apply, visit https://jobs.silkroad.com/BU/External/jobs/316009
#J-18808-Ljbffr
The Communications & Development Associate (CDA) will operationalize WEPC’s three strategic goals—presence, influence, and growth—by creating and managing public‑facing materials, stewarding the center’s brand identity, and developing and executing its social media strategy. Reporting directly to the Executive Director, the CDA will work across all aspects of the Center to increase WEPC’s visibility and prominence as a leading education policy center in the U.S.
Ideal Candidate To be successful in this role, the ideal candidate will:
Produce compelling written and digital materials: aims for accuracy and attention to detail, internalizes WEPC’s voice across platforms, and shares information effectively.
Be entrepreneurial and resourceful: demonstrates initiative, overcomes challenges, proactively asks for help, and proposes solutions without excessive guidance.
Manage a high volume of work efficiently: develops a system to avoid missed tasks, juggles competing demands, plans backwards to meet deadlines, and asks for help when needed.
Prioritize attention to detail: notices and corrects errors, acknowledges mistakes, and improves outcomes.
Core Responsibilities Writing (40%)
Produce and edit high‑quality, audience‑tailored content (policy briefs, newsletters, editorial articles, blog posts, funding proposals), translating complex research into accessible messaging.
Collaborate with researchers, leadership, and development staff to ensure messaging coherence with current projects and organizational priorities.
Prepare customized communication pieces for external stakeholders, including funders, foundations, corporate partners, and individual donors.
Marketing (40%)
Lead the development and execution of the social media strategy, manage content calendars and engagement tactics.
Oversee graphic design and multimedia content production, coordinate with external vendors, and enforce branding standards.
Monitor education news and policy environments to spot opportunities for WEPC visibility.
Build and maintain partnerships with BU communications teams for consistent brand messaging.
Mentor and supervise student interns, ensuring quality and timeliness.
Project Management (20%)
Plan and execute multiple concurrent projects, set goals, manage timelines, and resolve obstacles with minimal supervision.
Maintain organized records of communications, outreach, and development activities; analyze and report engagement metrics.
Coordinate event planning, webinars, and outreach campaigns.
Manage relationships with external contractors and vendors.
Required Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, journalism, and/or public policy.
3–5 years of professional experience in producing external‑facing materials and executing communication strategies.
Solid understanding of education policy issues and the political context surrounding education communications.
Superior oral and written communication skills, with the ability to distill complex research findings for diverse audiences.
Independent judgment and initiative in managing multiple projects and deadlines.
Proven ability to build productive working relationships across interdisciplinary teams and organizational boundaries.
Preferred Qualifications
Robust experience managing social media channels and executing content strategies.
Fluency with graphic design software (e.g., Canva, Adobe Creative Suite) and website content management systems.
Experience in fundraising, grant‑funded research, and proposal writing.
Passion for education policy and a commitment to advancing research‑driven solutions.
Interest in supervising a team of student interns.
Location:
Boston, MA
We are an equal opportunity employer; all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religious, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, or other protected characteristics. We are a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.
To apply, visit https://jobs.silkroad.com/BU/External/jobs/316009
#J-18808-Ljbffr