Senior Manager, State Communications at Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP)

The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP) is a nonpartisan research and policy institute that advances federal and state policies to help build a nation where everyone — regardless of income, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, ZIP code, immigration status, or disability status — has the resources they need to thrive and share in the nation’s prosperity.  

CBPP combines rigorous research and analysis, strategic communications, and effective advocacy to shape debates, affect policy, and inform implementation both nationally and in states. It works closely with a broad set of national, state, and community organizations to design and advance policies that promote economic justice; improve health; broaden opportunity in areas like housing, health care, employment, and education; and lower barriers for people of color and others in communities that continue to face systemic barriers to opportunity. CBPP promotes policies that will build a more equitable nation and fair tax policies that can support these gains over the long term. CBPP also shows the harmful impacts of policies and proposals that would deepen poverty, widen disparities, and worsen health outcomes.  

The Senior Manager, State Communications will work in the State Fiscal Policy (SFP) department, which conducts research and analysis of tax and budget policies in the states. SFP focuses on how policies affect low-income people and how states can build antiracist, equitable, and inclusive communities and economies. SFP also coordinates and provides in-depth assistance to a nationwide network of state-level policy organizations, the State Priorities Partnership. The State Priorities Partnership (SPP) is the nation’s leading network of state policy organizations working to advance racial, social, and economic equity to build broad prosperity and thriving state economies.  

Reporting to the Director of State Communications, the Senior Manager, State Communications will bolster the State Priorities Partnership’s policy campaigns by providing technical support and strategic advice on earned media, messaging, and story collection strategies. They will design and lead trainings that increase the network’s earned media communications capacity and develop materials to support state partners’ strategy development. The Senior Manager will also provide communications support to CBPP’s State Fiscal Policy team to maximize the impact of research products about state tax trends. 

Responsibilities: 

• Manage requests from the SPP network for consultation, training, or general capacity support on earned media communications strategies, which could include media relations, message development, writing and editing, and general communications campaign development.  
• Develop an in-depth understanding of earned media goals across State Priorities Partnership staff. Identify opportunities to create training sessions and other materials that increase the earned media capacity of the SPP network, including media training presentations, one-on-one media coaching, and media landscape analyses. 
• Track and analyze trends in media coverage of key policy issues, including tax policy, and develop products and reports to help SPP staff and others leverage these insights in strategy development.  
• Collaborate with the research and campaigns staff to develop training strategy, planning, and guides to support responsible, ethical storytelling about the impact of state and federal tax cuts on communities.  
• Collaborate with the Director of State Communications and other CBPP communications staff members to author and manage the blog, “Tracking the Fallout From State Tax Cuts.”
• Collaborate with the Director of State Communications and other CBPP communications staff members to produce materials such as talking points and press templates to communicate the impact of federal funding cuts on state budgets.  
• Perform other job-related duties within the role’s scope as assigned to support the team’s goals.  

Qualifications: 

• A bachelor’s degree and at least seven years of relevant experience in writing, editing, and earned media at a policy research organization, nonprofit organization, journalism outlet, or in a campaign environment. A relevant graduate degree may be substituted for two years of work experience. 
• A commitment to CBPP’s mission to improve the well-being of low- and moderate-income people and advance racial equity and inclusion, and a belief that strong, evidence-based policy solutions can help achieve that mission. 
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills, including experience drafting short policy-focused op-eds and blog posts.   
• A track record of developing strong relationships with reporters and placing earned media stories.  
• Experience using media monitoring systems such as Cision or Meltwater.  
• Experience with responsible, equitable story collection and storytelling practices.  
• Experience providing media training and coaching to a range of staff members, from early career staff to senior policy analysts who are working to elevate their expert profile.  
• Experience with crisis communications management and ability to work with organizations or coalitions to develop a multi-pronged response plan to deliver messages to key audiences.  
• Ability to lead communications campaign or project planning processes, including a demonstrated skill and interest in engaging effectively with a range of internal and external stakeholders and allies.
• Capacity to work on multiple tasks, often on a time-sensitive basis, and strong task and project management skills. 
• A track record of designing and implementing processes, such as editorial processes, that include multiple reviewers and decision-makers.  
• Experience developing contracts with external consultants and managing contracts to ensure terms and deliverables are met.  

This position reports to the Director of State Communications. 

Work Location and Hybrid Schedule Expectations: Employees are expected to work in the Washington, D.C. office for this position. CBPP is currently operating on a hybrid work schedule of two full in-office days (Tuesday and Wednesday) per week, as well as the first Thursday of each month in our Washington, D.C. office. 

Terms of Employment: Full-time; exempt. 

Bargaining Unit Status: This is a bargaining unit position. 

Compensation: Salary for this position ranges from $83,000 to $115,000 per year; pay is based on a number of factors including job-related knowledge, skills, and experience and internal pay equity. Excellent benefits (including health insurance, vision and dental coverage, life and long-term disability insurance, retirement, MERP, and DCAP) and generous vacation, sick leave, and holiday schedules. 

Make sure to upload a cover letter and resume. In your cover letter, please include a discussion of what draws you to this role and this work. 

The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities is an Equal Opportunity Employer that values and welcomes diversity in the workplace and strongly encourages all qualified persons to apply regardless of race, color, age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, credit information, pregnancy or parental status, family responsibilities, personal appearance, creed, military or veteran status, religion, ancestry or national origin, union activities, disability, or other status protected by applicable law.