Writing Specialist, Email Marketing (Office of Communications) (Media)

About Urban Institute:

At the Urban Institute, we believe in the power of evidence to improve lives and strengthen communities. As a nonprofit focusing on social and economic policy, our researchers and policy entrepreneurs open minds, shape decisions, and identify transformative solutions to the most pressing issues of our time.

Our Mission

To open minds, shape decisions, and offer solutions through economic and social policy research.

Our Values

Collaboration, Equity, Inclusivity, Independence, and Integrity

For more information on the Urban Institute, please visit https://www.urban.org.

The Opportunity:

Central to Urban's mission is fostering a truly inclusive community that ensures ongoing relevance to a changing world. The Office of Communications for the Urban Institute is looking for a writer who can translate complex research into concise, accessible takeaways for a range of audiences.  Urban's email marketing programs are a tool for promoting Urban's work, strengthening internal and external relationships, and attracting new funders. Last year, we produced newsletters for 30 research centers and programs, distributing 4 million emails per year to 100,000 subscribers; we promoted more than 130 events, sending more than 500 invitations, reminders and thank you notes; and launched our first email fundraising campaign. Our key audiences include policymakers, advocates, reporters, funders, researchers, and engaged citizens. You will collaborate with people across the Communications department and across research centers and policy areas. The ideal candidate can work quickly and has strong editorial and organizational skills.

What You'll Do:

• Write or edit digital content for more than 20 newsletters on different publication schedules.
• Conceptualize and write or edit special sends promoting research related to key events or select topics.
• Craft event invitation language and compelling event titles based on program content.
• Coordinate with researchers, an editor, and the digital team to shepherd newsletters, event promotion and fundraising campaigns from the content creation stage to production.
• Identify and write key takeaways about Urban's research and draft other email marketing content, as needed.

Who You Are:

• Bachelor's degree in communications, or related field OR equivalent work/education experience
• 2-4 years of related work experience
• Strong writing and substantive editing skills, especially writing concisely
• Ability to understand and translate complex, technical research into accessible content, while maintaining nuance and accuracy
• Demonstrated experience in audience engagement
• Ability to write and edit quickly and consistently meet deadlines
• Ability to work independently and juggle multiple projects; excellent time-management and organizational skills
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to collaborate with a team
• Strong news judgment
• Familiarity with social policy issues preferred, but not required

Please include a cover letter, resume, and 1-2 writing samples. Your writing samples do not need to be published. If you have an online portfolio of work, please identify your best 1-2piecesrather than only sending us to your site. Applications without writing clips will not be considered.

What You'll Experience:

No matter your role with Urban, you will contribute to meaningful work that makes a difference for people and communities across the country. And whether you call the Washington, DC area or elsewhere home, you can expect to be part of a welcoming and hybrid workplace. We are committed to cultivating a community and working in a manner defined by collaboration, equity, inclusivity, independence, and integrity.

Urban's greatest asset is our people.

Urban is committed to supporting our staff's physical, emotional, and financial well-being through a robust benefits package for yourself, eligible dependents, and domestic partners. It includes generous paid time off, including nine federal holidays, medical (including prescription), dental and vision insurance, and transit benefits. Urban is unique in that we offer 403(b) retirement plan participation immediately after you're hired and a generous employer contribution after five months of service and 1,000 hours, with immediate vesting. You'll also have access to a health advocate, personal finance coaching, an Employee Assistance Program, and educational assistance for undergraduate and graduate degree programs.

As a federal contractor, Urban will comply with Executive Order (EO) 14042 that requires federal contractors, subcontractors, and their respective employees to comply with Covid-19 vaccinations. All Urban Institute employees must be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 and comply with masking and distancing requirements, regardless of responsibilities or work location. New hires must also be fully vaccinated before starting work.  Employees may request exemption from vaccination against COVID-19 based on either a medical condition or a sincerely held religious belief that prevents them from being vaccinated.  Where such an exemption is approved, Urban will discuss with each employee potential accommodation.

The Urban Institute has formally recognized the Urban Institute Employees' Union, which is part of the Nonprofit Professional Employees Union (NPEU). Urban management and the Union work together in good faith and are motivated by a shared commitment to this institution. This position is included in the Union-represented collective bargaining unit, and specific employment terms and conditions are subject to collective bargaining negotiations.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by the people assigned. This posting is not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and requirements. Urban management reserves the right to amend and change duties, responsibilities, and requirements to meet business and organizational needs as necessary.

The Urban Institute is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender or gender identity, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, veteran status, pregnancy or family responsibilities, matriculation, disability, political affiliation, or any other protected status under applicable law.

We are committed to equal employment opportunity and providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with physical and/or mental disabilities. If you have a physical and/or mental disability and are interested in applying for employment and need special accommodations to use our website to apply for a position, please contact Human Resources at humanresources@urban.org. Reasonable accommodation requests are considered on a case-by-case basis.