Join one of the most influential, most quoted and most trusted think tanks!
The Brookings Institution is a nonprofit public policy organization based in Washington, DC. Our mission is to conduct in-depth research that leads to new ideas for solving problems facing society at the local, national and global level.
We bring together leading experts in government and academia from all over the world, rooted in open-minded inquiry and representing diverse points of view, who provide the highest quality research, policy recommendations, and analysis. Research topics cover a full range of public policy issues in economics, foreign policy, development, governance and metropolitan policy.
With fair and transparent business practices, clear communication, mutual respect, and a collaborative atmosphere that offers both professional and personal development opportunities, Brookings offers an inclusive and welcoming workplace that values the efforts of all contributors.
The Brookings Metro program delivers research and solutions to help metropolitan leaders build an advanced economy that works for all. To learn more, please visit brookings.edu/metro. Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/brookingsmetro.
Responsibilities
Ready to contribute to Brookings success?
The Research and Administrative Assistant, under the supervision of the Bass Center’s senior research staff (Fellow & Senior Research Associate), will perform duties including: (1) researching, drafting, reviewing, and contributing to clear, organized, and persuasive written communications for a variety of audiences and purposes (such as external publication, project management, and outreach); (2) provide highest-quality assistance with collecting and structuring information and messaging to a diverse set of stakeholders; (3) conceptualize and create compelling presentations for key external constituencies including local, state, and federal leaders and funders; (4) managing the logistics of meetings and roundtables with outside partners (5) provide administrative support and project management duties as required.
Research and Project Assistance (55%)
Help structure and draft talking points and PowerPoint decks for the Center staff’s meetings and events, particularly to support travel, speaking events, and fundraising efforts.
Contribute substantively to topics ranging from equitable economic recovery, inclusive growth strategies, and public safety policy to overall vision for the program.
Provide rough drafts and/or edit short-form products such as blogs or op-eds for publication by the Center; research and draft and/or edit special essays.
Work with Center research staff to repurpose their work into new products, or for new audiences. Collaborate with website coordinator to post content online.
Write a monthly newsletter summarizing the work of the Center staff
Prepare briefings on relevant content areas and participants in support of Center staff’s research efforts.
Serve as primary point-of-contact on content for external partners to ensure that Center staff’s presentations and appearances are responsive to their contexts.
Design and create visual assets for use in presentations including graphs, tables, and maps using Microsoft Excel, Adobe Photoshop & Illustrator, ArcGIS, and/or other statistical software.
Administrative Support (45%)
Administer the logistics of virtual or in-person meetings with outside partners, including technology, invitations, agendas, email communication, travel arrangements, and collateral materials.
Provide administrative and logistical support to senior research staff; in collaboration with other Metro staff, schedule appointments and makes travel arrangements or technical logistics; take notes in meetings/calls and maintain records to support project management; process reimbursements; prepare and edit correspondence and memos.
Work with supervisor and Brookings Metro events staff to support events.
Maintain relationships with key data staff at government agencies and think tanks as required.
In coordination with other program staff, contribute to Center’s impact tracking in Salesforce and identify opportunities to engage with external scholars and practitioners via social media platforms including LinkedIn and Twitter.
Update program databases (e.g., Salesforce) routinely with respect to relevant projects.
Ensure flawless stewardship and follow up with stakeholders.
Provide general administrative assistance, as needed.
Qualifications
Ready to make an impact? In this role, you will support Brookings values of collegiality, respect, inclusion, diversity and community, and bring the following qualifications:
Education/Experience Requirements:
Bachelor’s degree in sociology, criminology, urban planning, communications, public policy, political science, geography, or other social science or significant additional directly relevant experience in lieu of a bachelor’s degree. Minimum of two years of work experience providing similar work product, in fast-paced, public policy-oriented office (e.g., policy/political organizations, government, non-profit, or academic) required. Must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S.
Knowledge/Skill Requirements:
Required knowledge/skills include: strong writing and research skills, including ability to contribute to content development; strong experience with creative data visualization and messaging; demonstrated ability to craft positioning and messaging for diverse stakeholder groups; expert facility with Microsoft Office suite, particularly advanced knowledge of Excel, PowerPoint, and Word; strong project management skills and detail-orientation; strong interpersonal skills and mature judgement; demonstrated ability to flexibly work in a collaborative, fast-paced environment and undertake high-profile writing and design assignments with little supervision.
Preferred knowledge/skills include demonstrated interest in metropolitan/urban issues, including concerns of minority communities; familiarity with advanced statistical and mapping tools like SAS, SPSS and ArcGIS; familiarity with Salesforce or other CRM, with the capacity to learn new programs and applications; familiarity with graphic design applications like Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator a plus.
