Communications Officer

AAAS; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 80,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid vacation leave

Paid sick leave

Paid holidays

Health insurance

Flexible spending account

Dental insurance

Life insurance

Vision insurance

Retirement benefits

Short- and long-term disability

Job summary

AAAS is seeking a Communications Officer in Washington, DC to oversee planning and execution of projects across the STEMM Opportunity Alliance and the Center for STEMM Education and Workforce (CSEW). You will manage timelines, budgets, and stakeholder engagement while guiding day-to-day and strategic communications and coordinating with AAAS-wide processes.

You’ll develop content and strategies across channels, support thought leadership, and work with partners to expand engagement and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with 4+ years’ communications experience OR an associate degree with 6+ years in multi-year projects with multiple audiences.
• Ability to streamline communications processes and manage complex projects with multiple partners.
• Knowledge of monitoring platforms, social media management tools, and other online platforms to track program impact.
• Experience in coalition communications management, strategic messaging, and narrative change for stakeholder groups.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to synthesize information from diverse sources.
• Preferred: Knowledge of STEMM education or workforce policies and communities.

Responsibilities

• Develop, manage, monitor, and optimize content across social media, newsletters, blogs, and STEMMOpportunity.org.
• Analyze content performance to improve Alliance communications.
• Support refreshes of STEMMOpportunity.org and SOA content on AAAS.org.
• Develop multimedia content, including graphics, newsletters, videos, slide decks, and web content.
• Provide input on messaging and support speech development.
• Develop toolkits and resources for Alliance Partners and key projects.
• Serve as a primary communications contact for Partners on campaigns and content.
• Guide Partners in establishing communications priorities with the Office of Communications.
• Help design and implement Alliance engagement strategies with the Office of Communications.
• Develop communications plans with CSEW project teams.
• Support centralized CSEW communications processes, resources, and analytics.
• Manage content for the CSEW newsletter and social channels.
• Develop strategies to engage program participants and AAAS members in communities of learning.
• Serve as liaison between CSEW and the Office of Communications and manage requests.
• Coordinate with communications partners on announcements, events, and external affairs.

Skills

Communication management

Stakeholder engagement

Social media analysis

Written communication

Project coordination

Process improvement

General strategic messaging

Education

Bachelor’s degree + 4+ years

Associate’s degree + 6+ years

Job description

Communications Officer will oversee the planning and execution of projects, ensuring alignment with organizational goals. They manage timelines, budgets, and stakeholder engagement while identifying and addressing challenges to maintain project success. This role will split their time between the STEMM Opportunity Alliance (60%) and the Center for STEMM Education and Workforce ie CSEW (40%), leading day-to-day and strategic communications for the Alliance, developing communication strategies to expand engagement and visibility, and providing communications support and guidance to CSEW’s 20+ STEMM education initiatives. The role will also support CSEW thought leadership and serve as the primary liaison with the AAAS Office of Communications, integrating CSEW and Alliance efforts into AAAS-wide communications processes, platforms, and priorities.

What You’ll Do

• Develop, manage, monitor, and optimize content across social media, newsletters, blogs, and STEMMOpportunity.org.
• Analyze content performance and use insights to improve Alliance communications.
• Support refreshes and overhauls of STEMMOpportunity.org and SOA content on AAAS.org.
• Develop multimedia content, including social media graphics, newsletters, videos, slide decks, and web content.
• Provide input on overarching and audience-specific messaging and support speech development.
• Develop communications toolkits and resources for Alliance Partners and critical projects.
• Serve as a key communications contact for Partners on campaigns, announcements, multimedia content, newsletters, blogs, and websites.
• Guide Partners in establishing communications priorities and developing deliverables in collaboration with the Office of Communications.
• Help design and implement Alliance engagement strategies in partnership with the Office of Communications.
• Develop communications plans and strategies in collaboration with CSEW project teams.
• Support centralized CSEW communications processes, resources, and analytics to improve efficiency and impact.
• Manage content for the CSEW newsletter, LinkedIn, Bluesky, and other communications resources.
• Develop strategies to engage program participants, stakeholders, and AAAS members in communities of learning and practice.
• Serve as the primary liaison between CSEW and the Office of Communications and project-manage communications support requests.
• Coordinate with the Office of Communications, public relations partners, and public information officers on announcements, events, external affairs, and other communications efforts.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and 4+ years’ professional work experience OR an Associate's degree or equivalent and 6+ years of professional work experience providing communications support for multi-year projects with multiple audiences, partners, and deliverables.
• Ability to initiate streamlined communication processes and resources to increase effectiveness and efficiency while managing complex communications projects with multiple partners.
• Knowledge of monitoring platforms, social media management tools, and other online platforms with an ability to track, assess program impact, and manage deliverables.
• Experience in coalition communications management, strategic messaging, and narrative change, including developing or supporting the development of communications assets for stakeholder groups (e.g., education, workforce, government).
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with a particular ability to synthesize clear and concise information from a wide array of sources via multiple communication channels.
• Preferred: Knowledge of STEMM education or workforce policies, concepts, and communities.

Application Process

by October 29th, 2026. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis from October 16th to October 29th; applying early is recommended.

The anticipated initial rate of compensation for this position is $80,000 - $90,000 per year. AAAS currently provides the following benefits for this position: paid vacation leave, paid sick leave, paid holidays, health insurance, flexible spending account, dental insurance, life insurance, vision insurance, retirement benefits, short- and long-term disability, each subject to the terms of the applicable program. Additional benefits may apply. Any actual offer of employment, reflecting the total compensation package and benefits, will be made in the sole discretion of AAAS and will be based on a variety of factors, including years of experience, depth of experience, and other relevant factors. AAAS reserves the right to amend or modify its employment benefits and compensation structure at any time.

AAAS is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or other protected category. AAAS uses E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. No visa sponsorship is available for this position.