Communications Assistant, Foreign and Defense Policy

Overview

The American Enterprise Institute (AEI) seeks a full-time, in-person communications assistant to work in the Foreign and Defense Policy department. The anticipated start date for this position is as soon as possible.

The communications assistant’s primary responsibility is to serve as an internal liaison and point of contact between AEI’s Foreign and Defense Policy (FDP) department and communications teams (including the Government Relations, Editorial, Video, and Design departments and digital marketing team). Other duties include managing the FDP's social media; assisting with developing and overseeing promotional strategies for department-wide initiatives; measuring the impact of the department’s content; managing large-scale reports and events; writing the department’s weekly newsletter, the Rundown; and fulfilling requests from the media team and Government Relations department.

This position requires excellent writing, research, communication, and organization skills. The ideal candidate will have a demonstrated interest in and knowledge of foreign and defense policy with experience in public relations, new media, and communications. Creativity and an ability to multitask are also essential. A BA in international relations, political science, English, journalism, or a similar field is required.

We offer a stimulating and harmonious work environment and excellent benefits. Qualified applicants should submit an online application complete with a resume, cover letter, transcripts, and 500-word writing sample on any topic.

Responsibilities

• Serve as an internal liaison and point of contact between AEI’s Foreign and Defense Policy (FDP) department and communications teams (including the Government Relations, Editing Services, Design, and Video departments and the media relations and digital marketing teams).
• Assist in developing and overseeing promotional strategies for the FDP department’s major reports and initiatives.
• Lead monthly meetings to brief the FDP and communications directors and staff to discuss the department’s upcoming projects and plan the execution of the directors’ priorities.
• Manage the department’s X account, @AEIfdp.
• Write the department’s weekly newsletter, the Rundown.
• Report weekly, monthly, and biannually on scholars’ and fellows’ activities, ongoing projects, writing, and availability.
• Regularly monitor foreign and defense policy affairs to identify and anticipate new communications initiatives, and initiate and conceptualize department projects.
• Work with the AEIdeas and media teams to publish FDP content, and manage the FDP working paper series.
• Track the FDP department’s outputs and measure its impact.
• Advise the communications teams on foreign and defense policy inputs to daily AEI publications and website features.
• Assist in promoting FDP events.

Physical requirements and working conditions at AEI:

• The employee is regularly expected to stand, sit, talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer, telephone, and keyboard. This job requires close vision abilities due to computer work.
• The employee must be able to lift up to 30 pounds at times.
• The employee must be able to work in a confined area.
• Moderate noise (e.g., from computers, phone, printers, and light traffic) is expected.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential responsibilities associated with this position.

Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree in international relations, political science, English, journalism, or a similar field is preferred.
• 0–2 years of previous applicable work experience is preferred.
• Experience in communications with an emphasis on new media is required.
• The ideal candidate must be an avid consumer of foreign and defense policy news and a strong writer.