Director of Communications

Boston, MA, USA
Posted on  

Job Description


About Us

Founded in 1996, MassINC’s mission is to make Massachusetts a place of civic vitality and inclusive economic opportunity by providing residents with the nonpartisan research, reporting, analysis, and civic engagement necessary to understand policy choices, inform decision making, and hold the government accountable.

MassINC operates in three teams that each contribute to our overall mission – our Policy Center, including the Gateway Cities Innovation Institute, our civic news organization called CommonWealth Beacon, and our subsidiary company called The MassINC Polling Group.

Our Policy Center produces data-driven and evidence-based research on a range of topics, including education, housing, economic development, criminal justice, digital equity and more.

The Gateway Cities Innovation Institute works to unlock the economic potential of small to mid-size regional cities. Leveraging MassINC’s research, polling, and policy team, the Institute strengthens connections across communities and helps Gateway City leaders develop and advance a shared policy agenda.

Director of Communications

MassINC seeks an experienced communications professional to develop and refine how the organization promotes its research and policy work, engages with the public, and presents itself to external audiences. This position will execute communications duties for the organization as a whole, with a primary focus on the Policy Center, which includes the Gateway Cities Innovation Institute and other thematic areas.

The Director of Communications will report to MassINC’s Chief Operating Officer.

This is a full-time permanent position with occasional work required outside of regular business hours depending on special events and media cycles. The position is based out of our Boston office with an option to work remotely up to two days per week.

Key Responsibilities:

The Director of Communications’ key responsibilities include:

  • Day-to-day management and strategic development of digital platforms (website, newsletters, social media).
  • Maintain brand standards and cohesion across the organization
  • Event development and execution
  • Work with internal and external partners to plan, coordinate, and execute 8-12 events hosted by MassINC per year, including the annual Gateway Cities Innovation Summit in the fall (open to the public) and the Gateway Cities Leadership Summit in the spring (invite-only for municipal and state officials). Other events commonly include research report releases on state policy issues.
  • Support partners who host events that include MassINC Policy Center work products
  • Work with staff, board members, and select MassINC alumni to plan, coordinate, and execute the organization’s 30th anniversary celebration in 2026
  • Promote MassINC experts for external events / media opportunities
  • Promotion of MassINC Policy Center research and policy work to external audiences
  • Develop and execute communications plans for research reports and policy coalition achievements
  • Establish, maintain, and expand relationships with media through pitches, press releases, and interview opportunities
  • Translate research findings into digestible pieces for the public and local and state decisionmakers
  • Communications strategy development and execution
  • Develop a comprehensive communications and audience engagement strategy for the organization, with a particular focus on the Policy Center and Gateway Cities Innovation Institute
  • Support partnership and sponsorship opportunities
  • Work with MassINC’s CEO, COO, and Director of Development on fundraising opportunities and key partnerships

Qualifications:

The successful candidate for this position will have:

  • At least five years’ experience in communications, with a preference for previous leadership experience
  • Excellent interpersonal communication skills including the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, board members, donors, and other colleagues.
  • Strong writing skills and ability to translate data and research into digestible content
  • Outstanding management and organizational skills
  • Excellent ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks
  • Basic design skills and familiarity with software programs like Canva
  • Ability to work in a fast-paced environment
  • Flexibility, creativity and curiosity
  • A sense of humor!

The salary range for this position is between $80K to $100K per year. MassINC provides a full suite of benefits including healthcare with HRA, dental insurance, 401K plus 6% company match, FSA and DCA, unlimited paid time off, generous parental leave, and 13 paid holidays throughout the year, among other benefits.

MassINC is an equal-opportunity employer. At MassINC we believe that diversity and inclusion is not only critical to our workforce, but to our overall mission and purpose to move the organization and Massachusetts forward. We encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply.

Please send a thoughtful, personalized cover letter that displays your qualifications, enthusiasm, and communication skills and style, along with a resume to Maeve Duggan at mduggan@massinc.org.