Communications Manager

The Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management (APPAM) is a leading professional association for the public policy research field. The 3,200 individual members of APPAM include academics, practitioners, and students. The 100 institutional members of APPAM include graduate and undergraduate schools of public policy and management, and many leading policy research organizations and think tanks. APPAM sponsors an annual public policy research conference with 3,500 attendees, public policy camps for undergraduate students interested in the field, various forums, special events, and virtual offerings throughout the year, mentorships, awards and fellowships, and community groups, as well as a professional journal—the quarterly Journal of Policy Analysis and Management (JPAM).

Fully staffed, there will be six people supporting APPAM with a budget of $3 million. More information can be found at APPAM.org.

The Communications Manager develops the overall communications strategy for the organization, develops content for social media, emails, and the APPAM website, writes original content based on public policy issues, and supports the organization’s membership recruitment and retention practices. This role does not have direct reports.

Please note this is a hybrid position: While most work can be performed remotely, attendance at the downtown DC office for meetings, etc. will be required once weekly.

Responsibilities include:

Communications, Marketing, and Social Media

• Create and maintain all content on APPAM.org
• Manage all communications with members, including monthly newsletters, membership renewal reminders, and new member recruitment initiatives, in partnership with various staff members
• Work within the APPAM membership database (currently MemberClicks/Personify) to create, reference and utilize target lists for marketing initiatives
• Edit, publish, and promote virtual programming, primarily hosted through Zoom
• Create and maintain a monthly editorial calendar for APPAM to include email, social media, and website promotion plans
• Create and maintain the APPAM Annual Fall Research Conference communications plan & miscellaneous vendors, including management of all website content, promotional emails, know-before-you-go-emails, daily onsite emails, social media and blog posts from the conference, graphic designer, and photographer
• Work with journal authors for promotion and marketing of articles published in APPAM’s journal, Journal of Policy Analysis and Management (JPAM)
• Ensure that all messages that members, non-members, and the public policy community receive from APPAM are cohesive and well branded
• Work with graphic designer to create a look and feel for all marketing pieces and conference programs APPAM produces, both print and digital
• Enhance APPAM’s presence on the web and maintain all social media accounts, including outlets such as Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn, Threads, Bluesky, and new platforms as they come into demand
• Monitor the analytics for each of these accounts and suggest ways to increase reach and vary content
• Live post and post relevant content after all APPAM webinars, events, and conferences

Miscellaneous

• Manage the conference mobile app, in conjunction with the app provider (currently ATIV)
• Create and manage post-event surveys for all APPAM events
• Ensure website domains are up-to-date and secure

EDUCATION

• Bachelor’s Degree

SUPERVISED BY

• APPAM Executive Director

SUPERVISORY DUTIES

• Various vendors, such as mobile app, graphic designer, photographer
• Staff liaison for Policy Relevance, Development, and Communications Committee

REQUIREMENTS

• Open to travel a few times per year, required
• Located in the Washington DC area, preferred
• Experience in existing organization software systems, Microsoft, ATIV, Constant Contact, Zoom, Circle, Survey Monkey, Cognito Forms, and Slack, preferred
• Three plus years of association experience, preferred
• Interest in public policy, preferred
• Excellent oral and written communication skills; particularly in web content creation
• Excellent technical skills, including a familiarity with HTML and web design/layout
• An ability to synthesize complex policy issues into succinct, easy to read copy for a varied audience
• Creativity, especially creativity in introducing new communication channels to engage members
• Must be a savvy social media user and have a good working knowledge of how web and social media analytics work
• Exhibit great attention to detail with excellent organization skills
• Have the ability to manage timelines, team members, and be adaptable to change
• Be able to work independently and meet deadlines
• Be a proactive, take charge person. APPAM has a small staff of six and every employee needs to take full ownership of their role

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $77,063.00 - $83,725.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Washington, DC 20005