Associate Director, Content Innovation, Communications

POSITION DESCRIPTION

THE PEW CHARITABLE TRUSTS

Associate Director, Content Innovation

Communications:

The Communications department supports leaders at all levels of the institution to promote project and campaign efforts, inform key audiences, and protect and advance Pew’s reputation. The department provides a comprehensive range of communications services for all programmatic and administrative units and Trusts-operated projects. Our in-house expertise includes: strategy and message development; editorial creative; design and creative services; media event planning; digital and video production; and social media strategy and production. The unit oversees all communications policies, guidelines, and processes in order to ensure production of the highest quality work and effectively steward Pew's resources. The multimedia team oversees all studio and field-based video, photo, and audio production with a focus on short, documentary storytelling.

Position Overview:

The Pew Charitable Trusts seeks a highly collaborative, creative, and dynamic Associate Director, Content Innovation to lead and enhance new narrative initiatives. This role will spearhead innovative storytelling strategy across numerous programs with an eye particularly focused on institutional-level, cross-program storytelling. ensuring that our stories are compelling, authentic, impactful, and reaching both targeted existing and new audiences. The ideal candidate will be an accomplished storyteller with a strong background in multimedia production, podcasting, emerging media, and narrative prototype development.

The associate director position reports to the Vice President, Creative, Editorial, Digital, and Multimedia and is based in Pew’s Washington, DC, office. The position will participate in Pew’s core in-office days on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and will have flexibility to work from home the remainder of each week.

Responsibilities:

• Foster a work environment that is diverse, equitable, inclusive, and accessible, and a work environment that aligns with Pew and the related goals of its various projects and initiatives.
• Innovative storytelling: Lead the development and implementation of innovative storytelling strategies that highlight Pew's mission and impact across diverse media platforms. Develop and implement a pilot program and quick-turn prototyping process to test innovative storytelling approaches against new and existing channels.
• Cross-Program Collaboration: Collaborate closely with program communication leads, creative team leads, editorial leads, multimedia producers, and program directors to identify and create cross-programmatic, human-focused, data-driven storytelling that amplifies our mission and engages diverse audiences.
• Content Development: Oversee the creation of inventive high-quality content, including multimedia, and interactive stories - ensuring consistency in tone, style, and message.
• Community Engagement: In collaboration with other Pew colleagues, foster relationships with community leaders and influencers to incorporate diverse perspectives and voices into our storytelling efforts.
• Team Leadership: Manage and mentor a team of digital content and podcast producers, including day-to-day leadership and ongoing professional development and fostering a collaborative and innovative work environment.
• Strategic Planning: Collaborate with the creative and digital leadership team, and creative and multimedia team leads, to develop and execute a comprehensive storytelling strategy that aligns with Pew's organizational goals and enhances our public profile.
• Performance Metrics: Establish and monitor key performance indicators to measure the effectiveness and reach of storytelling pilots, adjusting strategies as needed.
• Partnerships and Collaborations: Identify and cultivate partnerships with external organizations, media outlets, and influencers to broaden the reach and impact of our stories.
• Training and Development: Provide training and workshops on storytelling techniques and best practices for staff and partners.

Key Initiatives:

• Expand Production Capabilities: Proactively develop rich, contiguous stories that reflect Pew's programmatic and institutional-level needs. Act as a bridge for narrative efforts across editorial, digital, programmatic communications, and program teams.
• Innovative Testing: Plan, propose, and lead testing on innovative new story types across emerging and existing platforms to understand audience needs and assess where Pew can add the most value to new strategic and younger audiences.
• Innovative Cross-Platform Storytelling: Based on rigorous testing and data gathering, develop and direct sustained, serial programming across existing, new, and emerging platforms.
• Podcast Development: Lead existing podcast production and story-pilot team, expanding their scope to develop new story types that tie our programmatic work together.
• Program Integration: Dive deep into our program work, working closely with program communications to identify and develop the rich, telling, human-focused stories within and across program areas, ensuring timely pitching to program and production teams for appropriate resourcing and planning.
• Modernization and Synchronization: Alongside the VP, Creative, Editorial, Digital and Multimedia, grow, modernize, and synchronize existing cross-program productions (Trust and Trend magazines, and After The Fact podcast) to create a more sustained, cohesive narrative.

Requirements:

• Generally, a minimum of 10 years of creative or narrative team leadership experience that demonstrates the ability to collaborate with and build consensus across disparate, multi-disciplined teams. Staff, consultant, and/or project management experience also required.
• Proven experience in storytelling, narrative development, and cross-discipline production, with a portfolio showcasing your ability to develop, test, and create diverse, impactful, mission-focused projects.
• Strong background in community engagement, particularly within diverse and underrepresented communities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a demonstrated ability to craft compelling stories across multiple formats.
• Experience managing creative teams and fostering a collaborative work environment.
• Proven ability to think strategically and execute complex storytelling initiatives from concept to completion.
• Proficiency with digital content creation tools and platforms, including video editing software, podcast production tools, and interactive media technologies.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain positive relationships with community leaders, and media partners.
• Bachelor's degree, or equivalent experience, in communications, journalism, media studies, or a related field; advanced degree preferred.

Preferred Experience:

• Previous experience working with non-profit organizations or foundations.
• Experience in public policy, advocacy, or social impact storytelling.
• Familiarity with the latest trends and technologies in digital media and storytelling.

Travel:

Up to 20% anticipated, primarily domestic travel.

Work Authorization

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the country for which they are seeking employment without visa sponsorship.

Salary Range

The salary range represents a reasonable estimate of the annual salary based on Pew’s commitment to provide equitable and market-competitive pay. The actual salary offered will take into consideration many factors including but not limited to job-related knowledge, skills and experience, internal pay equity, and business need.

Total Rewards

We offer a competitive salary and benefit program, including: comprehensive, affordable health care through medical, dental, and vision coverage; financial security with life and disability insurance; opportunities to save using health savings and flexible spending accounts; retirement benefits to help prepare for the future; and work/life benefits to maintain a good balance.

The Pew Charitable Trusts is an equal opportunity employer, committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. Pew considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to age, sex, ethnicity, religion, disability, marital status, sexual orientation or gender identity, military/veteran status, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law.