Communications Manager, Stakeholder Engagement

Organization overview 
Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan fact tank that informs the public about the issues, attitudes and trends shaping the world. It conducts public opinion polling, demographic research, media content analysis and other empirical social science research in the areas of U.S. politics and policy views; media and journalism; internet and technology; science and society; religion and public life; race and ethnicity; global attitudes and U.S. social and demographic trends. Pew Research Center does not take policy positions. It is a subsidiary of The Pew Charitable Trusts. The Center’s work is carried out by a staff of about 180. 

Position summary 

Pew Research Center is expanding how we connect our research with the people who use and amplify it. We’re hiring a Communications Manager for Stakeholder Engagement.  This position is a two-year, limited-term role to test, pioneer and deepen relationships with key audiences — decisionmakers, practitioners and others who apply our data in real-world contexts. (The position will conclude October 31, 2028.) 

This is a new role at the juncture of communications, events and audience strategy. The focus isn’t on reaching millions of people via social or website traffic — it’s on meaningfully seeking out and drawing in people who can most use our research for real-world impact. 

You’ll help design and deliver a growing portfolio of live and interactive experiences that bring our research to life and create direct connections between Center experts and the communities they inform. In this role, you will work across the Center to pilot different stakeholder models, monitor results and operationalize the best approaches. Success in this role means helping ensure the Center's research not only reaches key audiences, but is understood, discussed and applied in circles that strengthen its real-world impact. The role of this position is to test and measure innovative approaches that will help determine future strategy. Success in this role is as much about what we learn as it is delivering wins. 

This is a term-limited, grant-funded position expected to last approximately 2 years. 

Primary responsibilities 
Communications strategy and leadership 

• Under the guidance of the communications director and associate director, develop and oversee execution of communications plans for major research studies to build reach, influence and impact for the Center’s work. Identify target audiences, goals and dissemination strategies and tactics for major priorities while working within the overall institutional brand strategy. 

• Build strong relationships with the managing directors and staff of the research teams; digital producers and designers on the beat; and other researchers and staff across the Center. 

Develop deeper relationships with priority audiences: 

• Work with Strategic Communications and Research staff to identify and prioritize key stakeholder groups (policy professionals, civic leaders, educators, etc.). 

• Build and manage targeted outreach and invitation strategies 

• Track engagement over time (attendance, repeat participation, follow-up actions) 

• Grow the addressable stakeholder audience for the Center 

Lead stakeholder engagement through live experiences: 

• Plan and execute virtual, hybrid and/or in-person events, including webinars, briefings and small-group discussions in consultation with Strategic Communications colleagues. 

• Partner with research leaders and communications designers in the Center to shape compelling, accessible presentations of findings 

• Moderate or facilitate live sessions that encourage participation and dialogue 

• Help the Center build repeatable formats of engagement (series, office hours, stakeholder briefings) 

• Ensure follow-up with stakeholders after convenings and internal teams on learnings 

Create new ways to connect research to practice: 

• Pilot digital, hybrid or in-person formats around: 

• Small convenings or roundtables 

• “Ask a researcher” sessions 

• Sector-specific briefings 

• Training-style sessions (how to use Center data) 

• Explore partnerships with organizations, associations or networks that convene key stakeholders in partnership with Strategic Communications colleagues 

Collaborate across the organization: 

• Serve as a connector across research, communications and audience teams to identify engagement opportunities and ensure stakeholders receive coordinated outreach 

• Work with communications colleagues to build internal relationships that help surface the right experts, stakeholders and opportunities at the right time 

• Serve as a key partner to research teams in translating findings into experiences for stakeholders 

• Work with Strategic Communications colleagues to align stakeholder engagement with broader outreach strategies 

Measure and refine impact: 

• Help build a digital events tech stack to manage attendees and host live experiences 

• Track engagement metrics beyond reach (e.g., registrations, attendance quality, repeat participation) in partnership with communications analysts 

• Identify what drives meaningful interaction and adjust strategy accordingly 

• Help set the pace for what “success” looks like for stakeholder engagement at the Center 

• Gather feedback and insights from stakeholders to inform future engagement strategies and help the Center better understand audience needs 

• Identify emerging audience interests and opportunities to connect the Center research with real-world conversations and challenges 

Knowledge and skills requirements 

• A strong communicator who can translate complex ideas into clear, engaging live experiences 

• A builder who can visualize pilot approaches and turn them into repeatable flows 

• A strategist who can also be hands-on to test tools and produce events 

• Experienced in planning and running virtual and in-person events, webinars, and facilitated discussions 

• Comfortable working both in partnership with fellow communications colleagues and also directly with senior stakeholders and subject-matter experts 

• Skilled at building relationships—not just audiences 

• Curious, creative, and eager to test new approaches 

Education/training/experience requirements 

• Bachelor's in public relations, communications, mass media, or related field.  

• 5-8+ years in communications, events, audience engagement, or related roles 

• Experience working in media, research, nonprofits, or mission-driven organizations 

• Familiarity with virtual event platforms and engagement tools 

• Experience building partnerships or networks and maintaining stakeholder relationships 

• Strong project management skills and ability to coordinate across multiple teams and priorities 

• Experience engaging and facilitating discussion with professional or policy-oriented audiences is a plus 

FLSA Status: Exempt 

Compensation: The typical starting salary for this position is $91,035 annually. 

Hybrid Work Schedule: Pew Research Center staff are required to be present in the Center’s Washington, D.C., office three core days weekly (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday). Staff may work virtually from remote locations on other days in a typical work week.