Principal Associate, Broadband, Outreach and Operations

The Government Performance Portfolio

Pew's government performance work identifies and advances effective approaches to help solve complex challenges at all levels of government in the United States.

The portfolio's work can be traced back to our founders' early efforts to improve the lives of Americans by supporting efforts that promoted health, civic engagement, and democratic ideals. Today, we conduct research on emerging topics, develop data-driven reports, and highlight innovative, non-partisan approaches in addressing complex problems at the federal, state, and local levels as well as the interplay that can occur between jurisdictions. Current initiatives focus on health, fiscal and economic policy, and safety and justice, and take into account significant trends such as evolving technologies, and the increasing racial and ethnic diversity in the United States population.

Our teams explore and advance effective, evidence-based policies using credible, timely, and accessible research, assessing public support for change, identifying approaches that have proved successful elsewhere, and bringing together diverse perspectives to find common ground. We work in collaboration with organizations that share our commitment to rigorous research, measurable results, and public service, and we focus on developing durable policy change. In addition, our teams use strategic outreach and dissemination to ensure that good information is widely communicated to decision-makers, media, influential stakeholders, and the public.

Project/Initiative Description

Pew's broadband access initiative is housed within the Government Performance portfolio and led by a project director. The project will tackle the dual barriers of (1) inadequate physical infrastructure, which results in the absence of a high-quality internet connection; and (2) affordability, when individual households and small businesses cannot afford those connections. Our work through research, outreach, technical assistance and advocacy seeks to develop and highlight state models to improve affordable broadband access; improve federal and state broadband regulations by establishing speed goals and technological standards, improving the marketplace to include non-legacy providers; and informing and shaping new federal and state appropriations for broadband and improving accountability.

Position Overview

The principal associate plays an important role in achieving the project's ambitious goals by managing state engagements, including those related to policy change and stakeholder engagement, ensuring that these initiatives are well-planned, strategic, and collaborative. Reporting to the senior manager, the principal associate also works with colleagues across Pew, including philanthropic partnerships, government relations, legal affairs, and communications.

Located in Pew's Washington, D. C. , office, this 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. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the country for which they are seeking employment without visa sponsorship.

Responsibilities

• Foster a work environment that is diverse, equitable, inclusive, and accessible and in line with Pew and the project's related goals.

• Maintain and develop an understanding of emerging broadband and digital equity issues by monitoring publications and participating in conferences and other professional development activities.

• Help the project team identify, evaluate, and implement strategic state engagements and technical assistance efforts. Design tailored outreach plans to help advance the project's policy goals, including those based on specific research projects as well as project-wide objectives.

• Develop and implement approaches for projects to foster and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, policymakers, staff, and other officials.

• Assist with the initiative's contracts. Identify and vet potential contractors and consultants, evaluate proposals, monitor progress, and ensure products are delivered on time, within budget, and meet the contract's objectives.

• Collaborate with government relations, communications, legal affairs, and other colleagues to manage Pew's presence in a particular jurisdiction.

• Provide guidance and support for team-sponsored convenings of stakeholders, experts, and the public-including securing speakers and experts, agenda development, logistics, invitations, and preparing materials for briefings and events.

• Participate in activities that support program and Pew-wide objectives.

Requirements

• Experience working in public policy or administration, preferably in broadband, digital equity or a related field, such as economic development, education, agriculture, or health care.

• Excellent analytical skills, including synthesizing large sets of information and identifying key themes.

• Skilled at informing and influencing internal and external audiences through written and oral communications.

• Demonstrated experience building and managing outreach campaigns designed to shape understanding of key issues or influence policy change.

• Aptitude to work creatively, adjust to changing circumstances, remain attentive to details and exercise sound judgment in problem-solving.

• Can work as part of a team, foster consensus, and collaborate with diverse partners to advance pragmatic solutions.

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.

• Generally, six years of applicable experience.

Key attributes and preferred experience

• Proficiency working with researchers to incorporate findings into outreach campaigns.

• History of identifying and convening groups of policymakers, practitioners, stakeholders, researchers, and other constituencies.

• Comfort with developing and moving complex projects forward with a high degree of independence within a creative, fast-paced, action-oriented, and collegial environment.

• Aptitude to apply a non-partisan, evidence-based approach to projects that require support across the political spectrum.

• Demonstrated strategic thinking and planning skills, including experience integrating communications, grassroots, and legislative tactics into campaign plans.

Travel

This position requires frequent travel for meetings and conferences.

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

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