Boston University’s Wheelock Educational Policy Center (WEPC) conducts and disseminates rigorous, policy-relevant research in partnership with local, state, and federal policymakers and stakeholders to improve educational opportunities and holistic outcomes for students. WEPC’s research addresses key policy questions focused on equalizing educational opportunity, improving specialized services for students, and supporting an effective educator workforce.

As a center, WEPC prioritizes efforts aligned with three strategic goal areas focused on increasing our 1) presence, 2) influence and 3) growth. The Communications and Development Associate (CDA) will play a critical role in operationalizing these outcomes through the day-to-day creation, use and management of our public-facing materials; stewardship of the center’s brand identity and core messaging; and development and execution of 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.

To be successful in this role, the ideal candidate will:

• Produce compelling written and digital materials: Aims for accuracy and attention to detail. Can learn, internalize, and incorporate our “voice” across platforms. Organizes and shares information effectively — whether writing an internal email or delivering a presentation.
• Be entrepreneurial and resourceful: Demonstrates initiative and is a self-starter, identifying opportunities and bringing new ideas to the table. Consistently overcomes challenges and leverages resources to creatively solve problems. Proposes solutions to issues without much guidance (but isn’t afraid to ask questions). Proactively asks for help, anticipates problems, and course-corrects where needed.
• Manage a high volume of work with efficiency: Has, or can create, a system for keeping tasks from slipping through the cracks. Able to juggle competing demands and prioritize without sacrificing quality. Plans backwards to make deadlines. Asks for help when needed.
• Prioritizes attention to detail: Notices and fixes errors that others might overlook. Acknowledges mistakes and turns them into learning opportunities. Has a track record of leaving things better than they found them.

Core responsibilities of the role include:

Writing (40%) – WEPC requires an in-house go-to for all external-facing (non-academic) communications work. This includes reviewing and editing drafts from other team members and producing daily original content highlighting WEPC research and expertise.

• Independently produce and edit a diverse range of high-quality, audience-tailored communications materials, including policy briefs, newsletters, editorial articles, blog posts, and funding proposals that translate complex educational research into clear and accessible messaging.
• Collaborate proactively with researchers, leadership, and development staff to ensure messaging coherence with current projects and organizational priorities within the center, within the college and across the university. Serve as a trusted resource for writing expertise within the center, providing guidance or constructive review to colleagues as needed.
• Prepare customized communication pieces for external stakeholders, including funders, foundations, corporate partners, and individual donors, demonstrating persuasive and accurate storytelling grounded in data.

Marketing (40%) – The center’s ambition requires a unique approach to building our presence and influence in the field. The CDA should approach all work within the center as a marketing endeavor, not with an explicit sales pitch but by building a compelling call to action around engaging with WEPC.

• Lead the development and execution of the social media strategy, independently managing content calendars and engagement tactics to extend WEPC's visibility and impact.
• Oversee and coordinate graphic design and multimedia content production, working effectively with external vendors and leveraging institutional branding standards while exercising sound judgment about when to escalate issues or request support.
• Monitor relevant education news and policy environments to identify and strategically capitalize on opportunities for spotlighting WEPC's research and expertise.
• Build and maintain collaborative partnerships with BU communications teams at various levels to ensure consistent brand messaging and optimize use of available institutional resources.
• Provide mentorship and oversight to student interns, facilitating their professional development while ensuring quality and timeliness in their contributions.

Project Management (20%) – WEPC operates in a dynamic function within the context of a research university, resembling more a think tank, consulting firm or non-profit start up. As such, we expect the CDA to work across various lines of operation and flexibly navigate different content areas and contexts to deliver results.

• Independently plan and execute multiple concurrent projects, setting clear goals, managing timelines, anticipating and resolving obstacles, and ensuring delivery of expected outcomes with minimal supervision.
• Maintain organized records of communications, outreach, and development activities, analyze and report on engagement metrics, and generate insights to inform continuous improvement aligned with the center’s strategic goals.
• Collaborate cross-functionally to coordinate event planning, webinars, and outreach campaigns, leveraging strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Manage relationships with external contractors and vendors, ensuring scope, timing, and deliverables meet center expectations without compromising quality.

Required Skills

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, Marketing, Journalism and/or Public Policy.
• 3-5 years of professional work experience working in a similar capacity involving substantial responsibility for producing. external-facing materials and executing communication strategies.
• Solid understanding of education policy issues and the political context surrounding education communications, with the ability to navigate sensitive topics diplomatically.
• Superior oral and written communication skills, with the capacity to effectively distill complex research findings for diverse audiences and to influence key stakeholders through compelling narratives.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise independent judgment and initiative in managing multiple projects and deadlines within a dynamic, mission-driven environment.
• Proven ability to build productive working relationships within an interdisciplinary team and across 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 working with and supervising a team of student interns.

Compensation: The salary range for this position is $62,000 - $72,000 annually. This range is based on factors such as experience, qualifications, and the overall scope of the role. Please note that the final salary offered may vary depending on these factors.

**Position Type & Length: **This is a full-time, two-year term-limited position, with additional years contingent on availability of funding.

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_We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, natural or protective hairstyle, religion, sex, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military service, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition, or because of marital, parental, or veteran status. We are a VEVRAA Federal Contractor. _

Required Experience

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, Marketing, Journalism and/or Public Policy.
• 3-5 years of professional work experience working in a similar capacity involving substantial responsibility for producing. external-facing materials and executing communication strategies.
• Solid understanding of education policy issues and the political context surrounding education communications, with the ability to navigate sensitive topics diplomatically.
• Superior oral and written communication skills, with the capacity to effectively distill complex research findings for diverse audiences and to influence key stakeholders through compelling narratives.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise independent judgment and initiative in managing multiple projects and deadlines within a dynamic, mission-driven environment.
• Proven ability to build productive working relationships within an interdisciplinary team and across 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 working with and supervising a team of student interns.

Compensation: The salary range for this position is $62,000 - $72,000 annually. This range is based on factors such as experience, qualifications, and the overall scope of the role. Please note that the final salary offered may vary depending on these factors.

**Position Type & Length: **This is a full-time, two-year term-limited position, with additional years contingent on availability of funding.

__

_We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, natural or protective hairstyle, religion, sex, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military service, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition, or because of marital, parental, or veteran status. We are a VEVRAA Federal Contractor. _