Associate/Senior Associate, Communications

# The Data Quality Campaign (DQC)

The Data Quality Campaign (DQC) is a national nonprofit policy and advocacy organization that envisions a world where data policy is used to drive systemic change, economic mobility, and student success. DQC is leading the effort to bring every part of the education community together to empower educators, families, and policymakers with quality information to make decisions that ensure students excel.

To realize this vision, DQC works toward three goals:

– Increase public understanding of the value of data in supporting the student journey through the P–20W pipeline (early education, K–12, postsecondary, and workforce).
– Build the capacity of policy and education leaders to develop trust with communities to ensure data is used effectively.
– Ensure that state leaders use the policy levers available to them across P–20W to make data work for students and communities.

If you want to work with one of the country’s leading education and workforce advocacy organizations that supports your passion for helping students achieve their best throughout education and into the workforce, DQC is the place for you. We believe deeply in using data as the vehicle for improving educational outcomes, and we need passionate individuals to champion our mission. Join our team today!

# Position Summary

This position is grounded in DQC’s values of listening, learning, and applying insights to our work while staying closely connected to what is happening across states, districts, higher education, and employers. DQC Associates and Senior Associates are self-starting, thoughtful contributors who are passionate about education and workforce policy and eager to engage deeply in complex topics. They work with colleagues across the organization to achieve its goals.

The Associate/Senior Associate, Communications will:

– Contribute to the development and execution of communications strategies that highlight stories of effective data use and empower the field to use data to support student success.
– Support the dissemination of DQC resources.
– Cultivate and maintain DQC partner relationships.
– Act as a thoughtful, contributing member of our team who learns and grows professionally over time.

While both levels contribute meaningfully to DQC’s work, Senior Associates take on greater ownership of projects, operate with more independence, and play a stronger role in shaping strategy and external engagement. We encourage people who see themselves at either the Associate or Senior Associate level to apply, and we will structure the interview process accordingly.

# Who You Are

**Passionate:** you are excited about the policy landscape that informs people’s pathways from education into career and communicating clearly about what it takes to make those policies happen.
**Communicator:** you develop and convey ideas and positions to diverse groups (e.g., state leaders, advocates, partners, the federal government) and internally with peers.
**Collaborator:** you work with DQC staff at all levels to design and execute high-quality work that contributes to how DQC communicates about best practice policies that make data work for people.
**Innovator:** you help DQC think of new ways to approach and execute our work.
**Relationship Builder:** you seek out and nurture relationships with colleagues and key partners.
**Convener:** you understand the power of bringing people together effectively and consistently to ensure diverse perspectives and experiences are represented.
**Adapter:** you demonstrate flexibility and can take projects from ambiguous ideas to impactful results.
**Problem Solver:** you use your knowledge of effective communications to navigate complex policy debates and elevate stories about where best practices are happening.

# What You’ll Do

– Frame and communicate key issues related to data use policy and practice at district, state, federal, and national levels.
– Seek strategic opportunities for collaboration and partnership with other organizations.
– Stay current on relevant policy news and identify timely opportunities to join the conversation.
– Track progress toward communications goals in partnership with the Director, Communications.

**Maintain and update the organization’s website, including:**
– Publishing new content, refreshing existing pages, and ensuring accuracy.
– Supporting basic SEO practices and monitoring site analytics to inform content strategy.
– Coordinating with program staff to translate policy work into accessible web content.

**Manage DQC’s email communications, including:**
– Maintaining the organization’s email list and segmentation using Mailchimp.
– Drafting, designing, and sending regular email updates, newsletters, and event announcements.
– Tracking open rates, click-through rates, and other metrics to continuously improve performance.

**Develop and execute DQC’s social media strategy, including:**
– Maintaining a content calendar and posting across LinkedIn and Bluesky.
– Writing engaging, platform-appropriate posts that amplify policy priorities and organizational news.
– Monitoring conversations, engaging with followers, and tracking performance metrics.

**Contribute to DQC’s overall communications efforts by:**
– Drafting blog posts, press releases, and other external communications as needed.
– Maintaining an organized library of brand assets, photos, and approved messaging.
– Supporting external communications needs for events, webinars, etc.
– Helping implement media outreach strategies for various projects.
– Creating graphical representations of DQC content for web and social media.
– Identifying opportunities to employ AI in smart, complementary ways to achieve communications goals.

# Requirements & Qualifications

## Education and Experience

DQC values both education and work experiences that demonstrate the ability to perform the essential duties of this position.

– **Associates:** minimum of 5 years of combined education and professional experience (e.g., Bachelor’s degree + one year of experience).
– **Senior Associates:** minimum of 8 years of combined education and professional experience (e.g., Bachelor’s degree + four years of experience, or Master’s degree + two years).
– Senior Associate candidates must have at least one year of directly related professional experience.

In your cover letter, explain how your combination of education and work experience (including internships) demonstrates your ability to communicate clearly, directly, and inclusively to build trust in data.

## Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

– Excellent oral communication, writing, and editing skills with strong attention to detail.
– Ability to convey ideas to diverse technical and nontechnical audiences.
– Proven experience supporting external communications, especially digital and social media.
– Knowledge of Photoshop, Canva, or similar platforms—or willingness to learn.
– Knowledge of WordPress—or willingness to learn.
– Knowledge of video editing tools to create short, impactful videos—or willingness to learn.
– Entrepreneurial, partnership-oriented, energetic, positive, and focused.
– Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
– Ability to work under pressure in a rapidly changing environment.
– Ability to travel occasionally.

# Compensation, Benefits, and Hybrid Work Environment

– Staff are headquartered in Washington, DC; applicants must live in DC or be willing to relocate.
– **Associate salary range:** $60,000–$70,000
– **Senior Associate salary range:** $70,000–$85,000
– Comprehensive benefits package including health, vision, dental, leave, 401k/matching, and professional development.
– Hybrid work environment with flexibility in working hours; in-office presence required a minimum number of days per week.

# How to Apply

– Send resume, cover letter, and three references (with email addresses) to **[email protected]**.
– Use the subject line: **“Associate/Senior Associate, Communications.”**
– Cover letter must explain how your education and experience prepare you to support the organization.
– Applications without a cover letter will not be considered.
– Priority deadline: **June 5, 2026**.

# Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

The Data Quality Campaign is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, citizenship status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.

DQC provides reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities. If you need an accommodation during the application process, email **[email protected]** with your request and contact information.