Senior Director/Executive Director, Communications and Public Affairs

Position Description:

Mathematica applies expertise at the intersection of data, methods, policy, and practice to improve well-being around the world. We collaborate closely with public- and private-sector partners to translate big questions into deep insights that improve programs, refine strategies, and enhance understanding using data science and analytics. Our work yields actionable information to guide decisions in wide-ranging policy areas, from health, education, early childhood, and family support to nutrition, employment, disability, and international development. Mathematica offers our employees competitive salaries, and a comprehensive benefits package, as well as the advantages of being 100 percent employee owned. As an employee stock owner, you will experience financial benefits of ESOP holdings that have increased in tandem with the company's growth and financial strength. You will also be part of an independent, employee-owned firm that is able to define and further our mission, enhance our quality and accountability, and steadily grow our financial strength. Read more about our benefits here.

One of Mathematica's core values is a deep commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Our research is more robust because it is informed by a variety of diverse perspectives, and our mission to improve societal well-being is strengthened by a greater understanding of issues and challenges facing the populations we serve. Mathematica's ongoing commitment to diversity and inclusion is woven into our everyday actions, policies, and practices. We are dedicated to maintaining a work environment in which everyone is treated with respect and dignity. We offer Employee Resources Groups on a variety of topics, local diversity and inclusion activities in each office, and a Diversity Council.

We are seeking passionate, visionary candidates to join Mathematica as either a Senior or Executive Director of Communications and Public Affairs (based on qualifications and experience). The Sr. Director/Executive Director, Communications and Public Affairs is a key leadership role in the strategic planning and organizational management of the Communications Department of an impact-driven organization and contributes directly to achieving Mathematica's strategic goal of leading a broad community focused on the use of actionable evidence. The role is responsible for driving all integrated communications, including public affairs, strategic ecosystem engagement, and internal communications to advance the mission and long-term vision of the organization. A versatile professional with a full complement of public affairs and partner engagement skills across sectors and platforms, the incumbent has a record of success in raising the profile and impact of mission-driven organizations. This role will report to the VP, of Communications and Public Affairs, serving as their deputy and representative, and working closely with the company's CEO, executive team, and subject matter experts to advance Mathematica's strategy, growth, and engagement efforts.

Core Responsibilities:

Public Affairs

• Shapes and implements a strategy for all government affairs programming
• Identifies upcoming (6 - 12-month horizon) policy priorities and decisions and leads data and evidence syntheses to inform policy conversations and decisions
• Advises company leadership on public affairs issues and opportunities; builds capacity among subject matter experts and Communications staff to regularly interpret, synthesize, and share comprehensive bodies of evidence from the field, in a variety of channels and platforms, to provide context for and support key policy and program decisions
• Builds and maintains excellent relationships with key congressional offices, committees, and caucuses; Administration officials; and other policy-oriented entities (including, but not limited to, the "Big 7" intergovernmental membership organizations representing state and local governments); serves as Mathematica's main liaison with these organizations.
• Positions Mathematica as the go-to reliable, trusted, non-partisan, and knowledgeable resource for policymakers at all levels on key issues related to health and social services, international development, equity and justice, and climate change
• Manages the development and dissemination of a weekly public affairs update for Mathematica staff and monthly newsletter for policymakers

Strategic Ecosystem Engagement

• Cultivates a community of those committed to the use of evidence and enhances the impact of Mathematica's work through ecosystem engagement and strategic communications
• Creates connections and partnerships with key audiences in the demand for and application of evidence in policy and program decisions
• Partners with Mathematica's business unit leadership and enterprise teams to identify priority conferences and other events that raise our visibility and enhance our ability to be engaged in key ecosystems that are related to strategic areas of interest; develops engagement strategies that advance Mathematica's positioning as a leader in the evidence community, promote Mathematica's offerings, and advance Mathematica's impact
• Builds staff capacity to increase global visibility by presenting at national and international fora, with focus on timely/relevant policy areas
• Supervises Outreach & Dissemination and Thought Leadership functions within the Communications team and partners with other departments to coordinate and operationalize external messaging and ecosystem positioning; to manage high-visibility projects that involve multiple departments, collaborators, and senior leadership; and to identify and support researchers whose work and voices should be amplified to build their external reputations and Mathematica's standing as a trusted public resource.
• Builds relationships with organizations that have existing constituencies impacted by the policy areas on which Mathematica focuses (e.g., education, healthcare, justice), as well as other policy-focused or mission-driven organizations
• Potential additional responsibilities:
  • Leads organizational reputation and crisis management process, in partnership with the VP, of Communications and Public Affairs. Conducts scenario planning and manages the development of responses to prepare the organization for mitigating potential risks to Mathematica's reputation as a leading nonpartisan research organization dedicated to improving well-being.
  • Oversees strategic marketing efforts for new product rollouts. Develops multichannel outreach strategies and materials for key audiences, including digital advertising, B2B communications, product brochures, and other marketing collateral, and presentation opportunities at key conferences and tradeshows.

Internal Communications

• Builds and oversees an internal communications function responsible for planning and producing a comprehensive, multi-channel internal communications strategy that elevates the employee experience, reinforces Mathematica's mission and vision, supports organizational change management efforts, and preserves our unique culture of ownership
• Plans and oversees the implementation of key internal communications messages and tactics
• Monitors and evaluates internal communications effectiveness, awareness, understanding, and support; takes appropriate action based on these findings
• Oversees the development and execution of company-wide events, including our company all-staff meetings
• Contributes to Mathematica's strategy-to-practice efforts focused on DEI, digital transformation, employee experience, client experience, and innovation

General

• Supervises manages, and mentors Communications team members, as well as external consultants and vendors
• Actively supports the advancement of organizational diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts, and applies diversity, equity, and inclusion lens across job responsibilities
• Additional duties may be assigned as needed

Position Requirements:

Functional Knowledge:

• Ability to lead, influence, and succeed in a complex, matrixed, and evolving organization
• Strategic management and leadership skills at the highest level and in a wide variety of contexts related to public affairs, community engagement, and internal communications programs
• Ability to build and maintain trust, credibility, and positive working relationships at all levels of an organization, from executive leadership to direct reports to colleagues across departments and functions
  • Preferably, significant experience presenting and making recommendations to executive leadership

• Expert knowledge of current policy and program issues at the federal and state levels; experience advising executives and key business partners on policy issues
• Demonstrated success communicating evidence to inform policy and program decisions through creative, accessible data-driven approaches
• In-depth understanding of public affairs and communications industry best practices and trends
• Excellent supervisory and people management skills; ability to lead and motivate a high-performing team with moderate resource requirements
• Excellent writing skills are a must; work should require no oversight and minimal editing
• Proficient with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Exceptional ability to manage a portfolio of projects and competing priorities; strong client service (internal and external) skills and orientation
• Exercise sound judgment and work independently to accomplish tasks

Qualifications:

• Master's degree in Communications, Political Science, Journalism, Public Policy, or related field
• 15+ years of progressively responsible, professional-level experience in a government organization, public relations, or research or policy-oriented organization, or other comparable experience.
• A combination of equivalent education and work experience may be substituted for the above requirements.

Candidates with more than 15 years of experience in a government organization, public relations, or research or policy-oriented organization, will be considered for the Executive Director role. At this level, a master's degree in a relevant field is preferred.

Mathematica offers our employees competitive salaries and a comprehensive benefits package, as well as the advantages of being 100 percent employee owned. As an employee stock owner, you will experience the financial benefits of ESOP holdings that have increased in tandem with the company's growth and financial strength. You will also be part of an independent, employee-owned firm that is able to define and further our mission, enhance our quality and accountability, and steadily grow our financial strength. Read more about our benefits here: https://www.mathematica.org/career-opportunities/benefits-at-a-glance.

We take pride in our employees and in their commitment to excellence. We encourage staff to collaborate in developing creative solutions to difficult problems and to share the responsibility and enjoyment of carrying out complex projects. This collegial spirit has helped us earn our reputation for innovative and high-quality work. As a winner of the 'Excellence in Diversity Award,' we know that building an inclusive culture based on the diverse strengths of employees from different backgrounds is key to our success.

Please submit a cover letter and your resume at the time of application via our online application system. This position offers an anticipated annual base salary range of $170,000-$220,000. This position is eligible for a discretionary bonus based on company and individual performance.

In accordance with Executive Order 14042 and its implementing guidelines, all Mathematica employees must provide documentation that they have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or obtain accommodation through Human Resources by providing documentation from a licensed health care provider that they are unable to be vaccinated against COVID-19 because of a disability (which would include medical conditions) or provide an attestation that they are entitled to accommodation because of a sincerely held religious belief, practice, or observance.

Available locations: Princeton, NJ; Washington, DC; Remote

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class.