Policy Program Associate -Partnerships and Engagement (Executive Office Research – WorkRise)

About Urban Institute

At the Urban Institute, we believe in the power of evidence to improve lives and strengthen communities. As a nonprofit focusing on social and economic policy, our researchers and policy entrepreneurs open minds, shape decisions, and identify transformative solutions to the most pressing issues of our time.

Our Mission

To open minds, shape decisions, and offer solutions through economic and social policy research.

Our Values

Collaboration, Equity, Inclusivity, Independence, and Integrity

For more information on the Urban Institute, please visit Urban Institute Website.

The Opportunity

We are seeking a high-energy, detail-oriented individual with proven experience in stakeholder engagement, program planning, advance, logistics, event execution, and partnership building. The Program Specialist, Partnerships and Engagement, will be dedicated to WorkRise, a research-to-action network hosted by the Urban Institute to create a more equitable and resilient labor market for low-wage workers, and will work closely with the initiative’s core team. The Program Specialist will help ensure that the research and evidence funded or produced by WorkRise reaches those who influence the practices, policies, and programs that strengthen economic security and accelerate economic mobility for low-wage workers through a variety of engagement, events, and communications strategies.

The Program Specialist will support senior staff in implementing comprehensive plans for engaging WorkRise’s stakeholders and stakeholder networks across the employer, advocacy, practitioner, and policy communities, and will play a pivotal role in ensuring that WorkRise creates a productive feedback loop between research, policy, and practice.

The Program Specialist, Partnerships and Engagement, will report to the Director of Strategic Partnerships and Engagement, with a dotted line to the Director of Communications for WorkRise. They will work closely with the Director of Event Strategy and Programming in Communications on all event execution.

What You’ll Do:

Advance Strategic Partnerships, Engagement, and Network-Building

• In collaboration with WorkRise and Events team members, contribute to the development of dissemination strategies for research findings and insights from WorkRise-funded and original research.
• Track progress and follow up with internal and external stakeholders to ensure the timely completion of tasks and deliverables from projects with WorkRise partners.
• Coordinate and communicate with outside stakeholders and internal WorkRise team members on stakeholder engagements.
• Assist in the implementation of engagement and communications tactics, including public and private events, workshops, and ensuring that meeting and event details are aligned with the project’s strategic goals.
• Organize, track, and report on all engagement and partnership activities, deliverables, and metrics to advance the WorkRise network.
• Identify and map a cross-sector network of labor market stakeholders in strategic research to action areas, with a focus on research consumers (employers, small business, workers and worker advocates, practitioners, and policymakers at the local, state, and federal level), especially those rooted in Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities.
• Help develop and manage to partnership agreements such as memorandums of understanding/agreement (MOU/MOA) in collaboration with the Operations team and the Grants and Contracts office.
• Support other duties as assigned.

Support the Dissemination and Amplification of New Evidence and Insights

• Work in partnership with WorkRise research, grantmaking, and communications team members to prepare research translation content for the WorkRise website, blog, and social media channels by identifying and making recommendations on target audiences and key messages.
• Communicate and coordinate with WorkRise grantees on partnership and amplification strategies.
• Coordinate requests for additional communications support for design, marketing emails, social media posts and other communications materials as needed.

Drive Action, Engagement, and Impact through Events and Convenings

• Manage and execute on all logistical details related to virtual events for WorkRise, such as working meetings, private convenings, and public events according to Urban Institute’s best practices for events.
• Work closely with Urban’s Events team to manage and execute on all logistical details related to in-person and hybrid events and convenings hosted onsite at Urban.
• Provide project management support by scheduling team and event-related meetings and coordinating logistics; drafting emails, agendas, talking points, and presentations; taking notes and coordinating to complete action items and next steps.
• Coordinate and engage with external partners and organizations in the WorkRise network to host or participate in WorkRise events, and provide scheduling support to secure outside facilitators and speakers, as needed.
• Develop and monitor project budgets for meetings and events in collaboration with the core team.

Who You Are:

The successful candidate will:

• Bachelor’s Degree in communications, political science, public policy, sociology, or related field and/or 4-6 years of experience in partnership building, program coordination or management and/or advance, logistics, and event execution, preferably at a policy-related or political organization. Or possess equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Proven ability to implement, and manage high-impact cross-sector partnership and outreach strategies
• Established track record of collaborating with external stakeholders, business leaders, government officials, worker organizers, or nonprofit organizations, preferably those with a focus on labor market policy and/or improving the economic well-being of low-wage workers
• Preferred familiarity in policy pertaining to economic and social mobility, poverty alleviation, and/or labor market challenges facing low-wage workers
• Proven track record in project management with ability to manage multiple projects at once while ensuring impeccable attention to detail
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including proofreading
• A track record of taking initiative, self-direction and organizing follow up while juggling multiple projects and responsibilities
• Diplomatic personality and ability to manage relationships with all levels of staff, external stakeholders, and vendors
• Experience in site selection, travel logistics, budget monitoring, food and beverage selection, and onsite meeting management
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including proofreading
• Ability to work independently as well as part of a team
• Proficiency with all Microsoft Office software
• Experience using Zoom, Microsoft Teams, or another virtual meeting platform preferred
• Experience with Salesforce, ZoomInfo and other relationship tracking/development platforms preferred.

What You’ll Experience:

No matter your role with Urban, you will contribute to meaningful work that makes a difference for people and communities across the country. And whether you call the Washington, DC area or elsewhere home, you can expect to be part of a welcoming and hybrid workplace. We are committed to cultivating a community and working in a manner defined by collaboration, equity, inclusivity, independence, and integrity.

Urban’s greatest asset is our people.

The salary range for this position is Min $83,381– Mid $113,710 – Max $142,786. Salary offered is commensurate with experience and considers internal equity. Candidates from diverse backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply. Salaries are just one component of Urban Institute’s total compensation package. Urban is committed to supporting our staff’s physical, emotional, and financial well-being through a robust benefits package for yourself, eligible dependents, and domestic partners. It includes generous paid time off, including nine federal holidays, medical (including prescription), dental and vision insurance, and transit benefits. Urban is unique in that we offer 403(b) retirement plan participation immediately after you’re hired and a generous employer contribution after six months of service and 500 hours, with immediate vesting. You’ll also have access to a health advocate, personal finance coaching, an Employee Assistance Program, and educational assistance for undergraduate and graduate degree programs. This position is based in Washington, DC and will be required to work onsite, based on the schedule of events. Some remote work may be possible.

The Urban Institute has formally recognized the Urban Institute Employees’ Union, which is part of the Nonprofit Professional Employees Union (NPEU). Urban management and the Union work together in good faith and are motivated by a shared commitment to this institution. This position is included in the Union-represented collective bargaining unit, and specific employment terms and conditions are subject to collective bargaining negotiations.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by the people assigned. This posting is not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and requirements. Urban management reserves the right to amend and change duties, responsibilities, and requirements to meet business and organizational needs as necessary.

The Urban Institute is an equal-opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender or gender identity, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, veteran status, pregnancy or family responsibilities, matriculation, disability, political affiliation, or any other protected status under applicable law. The Urban Institute is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer Minorities/Women/Disabilities/Veterans.

We are committed to equal employment opportunity and providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with physical and/or mental disabilities. If you have a physical and/or mental disability and are interested in applying for employment and need special accommodations to use our website to apply for a position, please contact Human Resources at [email protected]. Reasonable accommodation requests are considered on a case-by-case basis.

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