Policy & Communications Associate

University of Chicago; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 60,405 - 78,172; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Retirement plan

Paid time off

Job summary

The Development Innovation Lab at The University of Chicago seeks a Policy & Communications Associate to raise its digital profile by increasing online presence and supporting broader communications objectives.

You will translate complex economics and policy research into engaging, plain-language content for the website, social media, newsletters, and outreach materials, collaborating with researchers and leadership across international teams.

Qualifications

• College or university degree in a related field.
• 2–5 years of related work experience.
• Certifications: none.

Responsibilities

• Update content regularly on the DIL website with precise, current information; optimize for user experience and audience.
• Develop new digital features for the DIL website (project and event pages).
• Plan and draft regular social media posts aligned with research results and organizational priorities; primarily on LinkedIn and X.
• Identify ways to highlight students, staff, and alumni on digital channels.
• Develop and track communications metrics to quantify reach and engagement.

Skills

Communications

Content creation

Social media

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

Master's degree preferred (economics/public policy/communications/journalism)

Tools

WordPress

Canva

Adobe Creative Suite

Job description

Overview

The Development Innovation Lab (DIL) at the University of Chicago uses the tools of economics to develop innovations that can benefit millions of people in low‑ and middle‑income countries. Led by Nobel laureate Michael Kremer, the lab seeks a Policy & Communications Associate to raise its digital profile by increasing its digital presence and supporting broader communications objectives. This role coordinates with research and policy staff to turn complex economics and policy research into compelling digital content.

Responsibilities

• Update content on the DIL website on a regular basis to ensure information is precise, accurate, current, well‑organized, optimized for user experience, and compelling to target audiences, including policymakers, partners, donors, and other stakeholders.
• In coordination with senior leadership, help develop new digital features for the DIL website, including new project and event pages.
• Plan and draft regular social media posts aligned with new research results, project updates, and evolving organizational priorities, primarily on LinkedIn and X.
• Identify and execute creative ways to highlight students, staff, and alumni on digital channels.
• Develop and track communications metrics to quantify website and social media reach and engagement and inform recommendations for improvement.
• Boost DIL participation in external events by coordinating, creating, and disseminating event‑related content, including through press releases, multimedia, and social media.
• Support field teams to engage local photographers and ensure regular production of visual content.
• Write and edit content that translates complex research into engaging, plain‑language summaries suitable for broad audiences on DIL’s website, social media platforms, and targeted emails, in collaboration with internal subject‑matter experts.
• Coordinate production of press releases for DIL team members and disseminate to targeted media outlets, both in the US and overseas.
• Support the creation of funding pitch decks, donor communications, reports, and other projects as assigned.
• Strengthen internal communications templates, guidelines, and trainings to equip staff members with tools for effective communications and audience engagement, in coordination with DIL leadership.
• Collaborate with recruitment managers to ensure job postings are disseminated widely to relevant audiences.
• Collaborate with staff across international locations to hire and manage freelance photographers as needed; organize and maintain an internal digital photo library showcasing DIL’s research and policy work.
• Support administration of communications contracts for web development, graphic design, photography, and other work as needed.
• Collaborate with internal subject‑matter experts to understand key communications goals and needs, coordinate with leadership to align goals across teams, and create internal resources to meet team needs.
• Help build a proactive media engagement strategy aligned with current events, in coordination with senior leadership.
• Monitor brand consistency across print and digital channels.
• Strengthen internal systems for content production, review, and clearance.
• Plan, develop, and disseminate information designed to keep the public informed of the organization’s programs, accomplishments, or point of view, with moderate levels of guidance and direction.
• Continue to build higher‑level knowledge of the University, processes and customers.
• Perform other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

• Education: Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in a related field.
• Work Experience: Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 2–5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.
• Certifications: none.

Preferred Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree (Master’s in economics, public policy, communications, journalism, or a related field is preferred).
• Experience: Demonstrated experience communicating complex research findings and policy recommendations; recent graduates with related internships or past experience in communications, research, and/or international development.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Familiarity with design tools (eg, Canva, Adobe Creative Suite) and content management systems (eg, WordPress).
• Coursework in economics and/or demonstrated success communicating evidence‑based policy.
• Intermediate‑level training in economics and/or public policy (econometrics, statistics, quantitative analysis training).
• Experience translating complex research into plain‑language content for a mainstream policy audience.

Preferred Competencies

• Demonstrated success supporting multiple‑platform engagement strategies.
• Ability to write engaging content with close attention to detail, precision, and accuracy to research findings.
• Ability to coordinate effectively across international teams and locations and adapt working style to different professional contexts.
• Comfort using website/social media analytics to shape and refine approach.
• Strong organization skills with high attention to detail.
• Ability to work on and prioritize multiple tasks.
• Ability to work well under pressure and meet deadlines.

Working Conditions

This is a hybrid position with at least expected three days in‑person per week. Candidates must be willing to travel flexibly as needed for their respective responsibilities.

Compensation & Benefits

Pay range: $60,405.00 – $78,172.00 (Salary, FLSA Exempt).

Benefits: Eligible. Includes health, retirement, and paid time off. Further details can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Posting Statement: The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination. Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773‑702‑5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form. All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history.