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 https://www.urban.org.

The Opportunity:

The Strategic Communications Intern will gain insight on how critical policy research is delivered to our broad audience of changemakers, as well as learn how to measure the impact. Working across our strategic communications team, this position will help us deploy visibility and engagement campaigns that position Urban as a leading source for changemakers seeking actionable data and evidence and measure engagement and impact.

What You’ll Do:

• Assist with filling analytics requests on product (publications, blog posts, features, etc.) performance.
• Compile media mentions citing Urban research and researchers using media tracking platform.
• Write and send weekly internal newsletter on recent media hits and product releases.
• Draft media pitch notes and develop targeted media lists to generate earned media visibility for Urban experts and research.
• Track the performance of Urban’s media strategy efforts through targeted analytics.
• Assist with media trainings for researchers.
• Assist with biweekly reports submitted to executive leadership highlighting key media coverage and media strategy efforts.
• Complete other strategic communications duties as assigned

Who You Are:

The successful candidate will have many of the following characteristics:

• Be enrolled at an accredited college or university.
• Demonstrate the knowledge and skills associated with pursuing a degree in communications, journalism, political science, public policy, etc.
• Be familiar with media tracking platforms such as Meltwater and Cision.
• Be proficient in MS Office Suite.
• Be detail-oriented and collaborate well with others.
• Have strong news judgment, organizational, writing, and interpersonal skills.
• Be entrepreneurial, flexible, adept at handling multiple assignments, and eager to grow and learn new skills.

Program Highlights:

• Paid 10-week program designed to provide students interested in research, communications, public policy issues, and organizational operations with rewarding and substantive work assignments that contribute to Urban’s mission.
• Intern Program Dates: June 10–August 16, 2024.
• Participate in our intern orientation.
• Network with operations staff, senior professionals, and others who can support your professional growth and career interests.
• Participate in intern-specific workshops and networking events designed to advance your professional development and build your soft skills.
• Receive feedback and mentoring from your intern manager.
• Present the value of your contribution and what you learned during our end-of-summer Lightning Talks.

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 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 humanresources@urban.org. Reasonable accommodation requests are considered on a case-by-case basis.