Job Description
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 seeks a Project Specialist who is entrepreneurial, detail- and systems-oriented with strong interpersonal and operational skills. This is an exciting opportunity to engage with talented colleagues on a dynamic team, engaging in both business operations and the creative process.
What You’ll Do:
- Build and manage COMM processes and budgets for communications deliverables (e.g., fact sheets, reports and briefs, project pages) and support COMM processes for some large, complex deliverables (e.g., data visualization tools and features)
- Support the development of grant proposals and contracts on tight deadlines, helping researchers to include communications staff and deliverables in their budgets
- Work cross-functionally to help ensure teams meet deadlines and manage and help teams adapt to unanticipated delays or changes in work in a high-volume product pipeline for COMM
- Communicate with researchers on project status with regular check-in meetings and email updates
- Work with the COMM project management team to implement process improvements to increase efficiency and mitigate risk
- Schedule and help facilitate regular project meetings
- Create project schedules, keep teams on task and queue up next steps in projects
- Track budgets and hours billed to projects
- Maintain a team calendar and product pipeline
- Provide estimates to research staff for COMM work included in proposals
- Work with colleagues to update projects within databases and systems, including Airtable, Jamis Prime, and Box
Who You Are:
The successful candidate will:
- Possess a Bachelor’s degree and 2-5 years of experience in a fast-paced work environment; or an Associate’s degree and commensurate experience
- Demonstrate knowledge of or interest in communications strategies, such as media relations, design, or digital engagement
- Display strong organization and writing skills; be innovative, reinvent and/or improve processes
- Exhibit an understanding of or interest in Lean/Agile principles as well as proficiency in Microsoft Excel and other Microsoft programs
- Demonstrate strong communications and interpersonal skills
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 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.
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