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 Associate, Communications and Public Affairs will support communications activities across the Foundation, as well as related entities including the Peterson Solutions Fund and the Peterson Center on Healthcare, in the execution of strategic initiatives, projects and programs that support the mission of the organization and strengthen its impact and reach. The Associate will play an important role in communications strategy, communications research, project coordination, event development, internal communications strategy, and operational communications such as email list management. The Associate 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 Associate will report equally to two Associate Directors, Communications and Public Affairs at the Foundation.  

Primary responsibilities include:

1. Provide support for two Associate Directors, Communications and Public Affairs on core communications projects including, but not limited to: The Foundation’s Next Gen and Democracy Programs, grant sponsorship program, distributions lists, and internal communications events and distributions.  
2. Conduct thoughtful and detailed research and analysis on a variety of policy issues, organizations, people, movements, emerging trends, prominent projects, public debates, media coverage, legislative benchmarks, political developments and events as needed. 
3. Contribute to the management of project plans and timelines. 
4. Provide support on a variety of communications and foundation wide initiatives and projects that include an integrated communications element.
5. Provide support to Foundation principals regarding prospective and ongoing opportunities for external engagement. As needed, assess and provide recommendations on external requests and engagement opportunities, such as personal meetings, speaking opportunities, etc.
6. Assist Foundation principals and staff on various writing projects. 
7. Assist in preparing executive thought leadership materials for Foundation principals and senior staff, including market research, briefing documents, and contributing to presentations and other materials for meetings, conferences, media and other public opportunities.
8. Assist in the development, planning, and execution of Foundation organized and supported projects in collaboration with staff, external stakeholders, consultants, and vendors. 
9. Work directly with digital team designers to ensure Foundation materials and branding is up to date and used consistently.

Requirements

1. At least three (3) years of professional work experience in Communications.
2. Bachelor’s degree is required.
3. Interest in public policy, including in fiscal and economic policy.
4. Excellent project management skills with attention to detail.
5. Skilled in working independently, as well as part of a team and is able to demonstrate initiative, professionalism and attention to detail.
6. Strong research and analytical skills.
7. Ability to synthesize complex information in a fast-paced environment.
8. Excellent oral and written communication skills.
9. Clear, concise, and accurate writing, editing and proofing skills.
10. Ability to work under tight deadlines and have the organizational skills to prioritize and manage numerous projects at once.
11. Experience working with teams, both as a manager and as a participant.
12. Strong sense of urgency.
13. Ability to coordinate and collaborate with multiple parties both internally and externally working on complex projects.
14. Openness to feedback and a desire to learn and grow.
15. Ability to transform complicated policy issues into generally understandable messages.
16. Experience with a broad array of communications styles, formats and distribution channels.
17. Experience working with/general understanding of management systems such as CRM tools and Airtable.
18. 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 $75,000 to $87,500, 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 our search partner Chaloner Associates at www.chaloner.com.

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.