Policy and Communications Associate

Position Overview 

Blueprint Labs is hiring a Policy and Communications Associate based at MIT in Cambridge, MA. Blueprint uses data and economics to uncover the consequences of policy decisions and improve society. Based in the Department of Economics at MIT, Blueprint Labs consists of academic affiliates, full-time staff, and graduate researchers. Blueprint Labs works closely with leading academic, government, and nonprofit institutions across the country to generate pioneering research that informs policy and practice in education, health care, and the workforce.

We are seeking a motivated, independent, and organized Policy and Communications Associate to support policy and communications work for our research and programmatic initiatives.

The Policy and Communications Associate will work closely with Blueprint Labs policy and development staff, Director Parag Pathak, and our external partners and collaborators.

The Associate will receive a full-time, one-year appointment that is renewable annually, contingent on funding and mutual agreement. An employment term of at least two years is strongly preferred. This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. The starting salary range for this position is $69,294 – $74,624 and includes standard MIT staff benefits. Employment is contingent upon the completion of a satisfactory background check. This position will begin as soon as possible, in-person at Blueprint’s office in Cambridge, MA.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

The Policy and Communications Associate will support Blueprint’s policy initiatives and will effectively communicate technical research with policymakers, practitioners, MIT faculty, and general audiences. This position requires a high level of independent judgment and presents opportunities for professional development and on-the-job learning. The Associate can expect to work on multiple projects simultaneously, balancing deliverables on different timelines. We expect the Associate to take on increasing responsibilities on their projects.

Policy Outreach and Events (35%):

• Assist with outreach for and facilitation of Blueprint policy initiatives such as the Charter School Research Collaborative and the School Access and Quality Fellowship
• Support senior staff with event planning and execution
• Assist with virtual event planning and facilitation
• Support conference proposals and presentations
• Support meetings with policymakers and practitioners; help draft content to summarize research and prepare slides for meetings

Communications (35%):

• Draft content to translate research for non-technical audiences, with supervision from senior-level staff, including policy briefs, newsletters, social media content, blog posts, event summaries, news articles, website content, and presentations
• Edit papers, memos, and other written content for publication
• Track communications performance (e.g., engagement with social media, newsletters, website)
• Create data visualizations

Fundraising and Development (20%):

• Support grant proposal research, development, and reports
• Support funder and partner meetings; assist with preparation, facilitation, and follow up
• Assist with drafting grant reports and other materials for existing funders
• Prepare background research on potential funders and donors

Research Support (10%):

• Support ongoing research projects; help draft documents and protocols for the Institutional Review Board and grant applications; prepare visualizations of results.

Other duties as needed or required.

Qualifications & Skills

Minimum required education and experience:

• Education: A minimum of a bachelor’s degree in economics, public policy, education, statistics, communications, or a related field.
• Experience: 2 years of relevant work experience.
• Communication and Technical Skills: Strong writing and speaking skills and the ability to communicate with a variety of stakeholders. Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy, particularly in relation to communicating about research. Must have experience preparing communications materials (memos, slide decks, policy briefs, website updates, social media, etc.) and the familiarity with the appropriate digital tools. Some level of economics knowledge or education is required.
• Responsibility and Judgment: Deals with confidential information maturely and issues using discretion and judgment. Takes responsibility/is accountable for effectively completing assigned discrete tasks or projects with high attention to detail under direct supervision.
• Organization: Ability to handle multiple projects and deadlines and effectively manage time.

Preferred education and experience:

• Education: Coursework or experience in econometrics and/or economics. Master’s degree in economics, public policy, education, computer science, statistics, or a related field.
• Communication and Technical Skills: Expertise with website content management systems such as WordPress, marketing platforms such as MailChimp, social media platforms such as Twitter and LinkedIn. Experience with coding and/or a statistical software such as R or Stata is valued.

How to Apply

Submit your application via MIT’s hiring website. If this link doesn’t work, please visit hr.mit.edu, Click “Search Open Positions,” and search for Job Number 25710.

• Compile the following materials in a single PDF packet. Applications that do not contain all materials will not be considered.
  • Cover letter
  • Resume
  • Writing sample
  • Unofficial transcript(s)
• In the “Submit a Resume” section, upload your packet by clicking “Upload an existing Resume”
  • Upload your packet here as a single PDF.
• In the “Submit a Cover Letter” section, select “no cover letter”

About the Hiring Process

Candidates who advance to further stages can expect the following additional activities:

• A brief phone interview
• Interview with Blueprint staff
• A short, timed writing task to understand your job readiness
• Interview with Blueprint faculty and staff
• Provide professional references

Please consult our Frequently Asked Questions page to learn more about the hiring process. Questions not addressed in the FAQ should be directed to hiring@mitblueprintlabs.org.

MIT is an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, ancestry, or national or ethnic origin.