Communications Generalist chez Education Design Lab

Description

About Education Design Lab 

Education Design Lab (“The Lab”) is a national nonprofit that designs, tests, and implements education models and credentials that address the rapidly changing economy to ensure equitable outcomes for learners and earners. The Lab has partnered with some of the most aspirational institutions, and often their ecosystem partners, as they consider how to design their offerings to serve learners flexibly with more data-driven, human-centered models, processes and tools. Our biggest areas of work include improved career pathway visibility, micro-pathways, durable skills, micro-credentials, alternative on-ramps to degree, upskilling workers, and training college leadership teams in change management and agile prototyping.

The Lab is unlike other organizations in the nonprofit education space. We are boundary- spanners and work across disciplines and alongside schools, employers, entrepreneurs, government, foundations, nonprofits, and innovators. We are known for our work on the ground and have significant experience managing national and local learning cohorts, working with organizations such as Ascendium, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Citizens, Carnegie Corporation of NY,  Charles Koch Foundation, Walmart, and a variety of state and regional community college systems. To learn more about the work we do and what we care about, visit www.eddesignlab.org

Overview

Education Design Lab (the Lab) is seeking a detail-oriented, collaborative Communications Generalist to support key communications across the organization. This one-year term role is highly executional and ideal for someone who enjoys translating raw ideas and content into polished, on-brand publications, webinars, and social media nuggets.

This role will work closely with Senior Directors, Designers, and internal stakeholders to coordinate webinar logistics, format publications, and create short-form written and visual content that supports the Lab’s external communications goals.

About the Role

This role is best suited for a strong generalist who thrives in a fast-paced, collaborative environment and enjoys wearing multiple hats. The Communications Generalist will spend the majority of their time on publication layout and light graphic design, with additional responsibilities spanning webinar production, short-form writing, and occasional video or photography support.

The role emphasizes project coordination, content execution, and consistency, rather than content strategy or ownership.

How You’ll Spend Your Time

1. Approximate allocation based on current needs:
2. Publication + Graphic Design (≈50%)
3. Webinar Production (≈25%)
4. Short-Form Writing (≈15%)
5. Video + Photo Support (≈10%)

Requirements

Qualifications and Experience

1. Strong project management skills; able to coordinate timelines, people, and deliverables
2. Excellent relationship builder, comfortable collaborating across teams and with external partners
3. Strong listening, writing, and editing skills (journalism or similar experience preferred)
4. Ability to follow brand guidelines and use templates consistently
5. Proficiency in Canva as a primary design platform (Adobe Creative Suite experience preferred but not required)
6. Familiarity with social media video content and digital publishing workflows
7. Ability to meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment
8. High attention to detail and follow-through

Durable Skills for Success

1. Self-Directed Learning
1. This role requires someone who can jump into existing systems, templates, and workflows with minimal hand-holding. The strongest contractor here is proactive, asks smart clarifying questions, and figures things out independently while staying aligned to Lab standards.
2. Collaboration
1. The work is deeply cross-functional; partnering with Senior Directors, Designers, and Labbies who are providing raw content. Success depends on the ability to collaborate smoothly, incorporate feedback, and move work forward without friction.
3. Oral Communication
1. Webinar coordination, project logistics, and day-to-day execution all rely on clear communication, especially in a remote environment. This includes listening well, clarifying expectations, and keeping stakeholders aligned on timelines and next steps.

Data shows that women and BIPOC candidates more frequently do not apply for a job because they don’t feel that they meet all of the qualifications listed. Our job descriptions are general overviews, not a mandatory comprehensive list. If you feel passionate about our efforts and believe you have the skills to succeed in this role, we want to hear from you!

Additionally, given the Lab’s mission and programming, applicants with lived experience as first-generation college students, community college students, those who attended minority-serving institutions (HBCUs, HSIs, AANAPISIs etc.), those who have experience as non-traditional students, and other underserved populations, are particularly encouraged to apply for this role. We do not require a college degree for our applicants for the role.

Benefits

Compensation & Benefits

The salary compensation for the [position] will fall within a range of $89,000 - $96,000 annually. The benefits package includes:

• 100% employer-paid medical and dental
• Short-term, long-term, and group life insurance coverage
• 403(b) - 100% matching immediately
• Professional development stipend of up to $1,500 after the first year
• Semi-annual organization-wide retreats
• Rest and Relaxation:
• The Lab participates in Responsible PTO for all full-time staff, which allows for managers to approve PTO with no limits and includes unlimited sick leave
• 12 paid federal holidays
• 2 weeks of paid organizational closures

Location

At this time, although we are a fully remote organization, we do require for our staff to live/work within the Continental U.S. We are unwilling to make an accommodation as we have numerous factors to consider, including foreign employment laws/taxes/benefits, and travel costs to meet with partners.

Application Deadline: Thursday, January 29, 2026

Application Instructions

To apply, please submit a cover letter and resume by the specified deadline. Applicants will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the posted date. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us via email at [email protected].

Application Timeline

The below will provide a sequence of events that takes place during the Education Design Lab hiring process. We anticipate the hiring and selection process to take, at minimum, between 60-75 days – hiring is critical at Education Design Lab and we engage in a thorough process to learn candidates, their skills and whether they align with the specific needs of the role. 

1. Initial Application Screening: Applications will be reviewed through the deadline listed above, so early application is encouraged.
2. Virtual ‘Phone’ Screenings: Qualified candidates will be contacted for a virtual screening within 14-21 days after the application deadline.
3. Panel Interviews: Shortlisted candidates will be invited to participate in panel interviews. Candidates will be contacted for scheduling within 7 days of their initial phone screen. Depending on the role, there may be a hiring exercise requirement for panel interview participants. Hiring exercises are compensated.
4. Second Round Interviews: Selected candidates from the initial interviews will be invited for a second round of interviews. Candidates moving forward will be contacted within 7 days after the conclusion of  panel interviews.
5. Final Decision: We aim to make our final decision and extend an offer to the selected candidate within 3-5 days after the completion of all interviews.

Note: The timeline provided is subject to change based on the volume of applications received and the availability of hiring team members. We appreciate your patience throughout the selection process.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Education Design Lab is an equal opportunity employer; applicants are considered for all roles without regard to race, color, religious creed, sex, national origin, citizenship status, age, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, marital, parental, veteran or military status, unfavorable military discharge, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.