Senior Communications Specialist

Senior Communications Specialist – Prenatal-to-3 Policy Impact Center

Job Description Summary:

The Prenatal-to-3 Policy Impact Center at Vanderbilt University aims to accelerate states’ implementation of evidence-based policies that help all children thrive from the start. The Center’s Communications team advances this work through two senior communications specialist roles with complementary areas of focus. One role leads digital strategy, audience engagement, and analytics across the Center’s online platforms. This position focuses on supporting the development and publication of communications products and translating complex research and policy insights into accessible communications.

We seek an experienced Senior Communications Specialist who will serve as a communications partner to the Center’s policy researchers and analysts, helping synthesize technical research and policy insights into clear, compelling materials for policymakers and other key audiences. The role supports the development of major publications, media materials, and public-facing communications that strengthen the visibility and impact of the Center’s work.

Please submit writing samples with your application. Candidates will be asked to complete a short exercise.

General Notes:

This position reports functionally and administratively to the Communications Director. Applicants from underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply. We are committed to building an inclusive and diverse environment to continue to build a strong and equitable prenatal-to-3 system of care. This position can be performed remotely, and hybrid remote-work opportunities are available. Visa sponsorship is unavailable for this position.  This position is a term appointment beginning upon date of hire and expected to last 12 months.

The primary duties and responsibilities of the position include:

Project Management and Leadership:

• Manage communications projects from concept through publication, coordinating across internal teams and external partners to ensure deadlines are met and review processes are completed

• Develop and implement systems and processes that improve communications workflows and coordination across teams

• Continuously build expertise in prenatal-to-three policy and research topics to communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders

• Contribute creative and evidence-based suggestions for communications, marketing, and design strategy

• Collaborate with the Senior Communications Specialist, Digital Marketing, to support the dissemination of communications products across the Center’s digital platforms

Content Development and Editorial Support: 

• Work closely with Center staff to synthesize and translate complex research findings and policy analyses into clear, accessible communications for policymakers, practitioners, partners, and other external audiences

• Support the development of communications products, including but not limited to:

• policy briefs and research summaries

• reports and major publications

• presentations and talking points

• website copy and external communications

• leadership briefing materials

• communications materials supporting webinars and public events

• Review and refine communications materials to ensure they are clear, accurate, and aligned with the Center’s messaging framework and editorial standards, and provide editorial guidance to staff to strengthen clarity, tone, and accessibility

• Support the development and dissemination of the annual Prenatal-to-3 State Policy Roadmap and other major Center publications

Media Relations and External Communications:

• Support media engagement related to Center research, publications, and policy announcements

• Draft and edit press releases, media advisories, and other public-facing communications materials

• Assist in preparing Center staff for media interviews and press briefings, including guidance on messaging and communications framing

• Coordinate with the Communications Director on media inquiries and opportunities to elevate the Center’s work

• Monitor relevant media coverage and identify opportunities to elevate the Center’s research and policy insights

Strategic Communications Support:

• Contribute to communications planning for major publications, events, and policy releases

• Lead communications planning and promotion for Center webinars and virtual briefings, including messaging, promotional materials, and audience outreach

• Coordinate with internal teams to support webinar communications and ensure messaging and promotional timelines align with event planning

• Identify opportunities to strengthen storytelling and messaging around the Center’s research and policy work

• Help ensure communications efforts remain coordinated and aligned across the organization

Essential qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, public policy, journalism, marketing, public affairs, or a related field

• Five or more years of professional experience in communications, public affairs, journalism, marketing, or a related field

• Exceptional writing and editing skills, with the ability to synthesize complex topics clearly and concisely

• Demonstrated experience editing and refining reports, policy publications, research summaries, or other long-form written content

• Experience applying professional editorial standards, including familiarity with AP style and APA style, depending on product type

• Strong project management and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple communications projects simultaneously

• Professional experience using HubSpot or another mass email platform, WordPress or another web content management system, and familiarity with social media or marketing analytics tools

• Excellent attention to detail and proofreading ability

• Exceptional interpersonal skills and the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams

• Ability to quickly learn new subject matter, manage multiple priorities, and produce high-quality work under time constraints

• Demonstrated understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusion and the ability to communicate policy issues through an equity lens

• Commitment to continuous learning about communications tools and trends

Preferred qualifications

• Experience communicating research or policy topics for public audiences

• Professional experience in public affairs, government relations, policy communications, or think tank environments

• Experience working in a research center, policy organization, nonprofit, or university setting

• Experience coordinating publication or editorial workflows

• Seven or more years of professional communications experience