Employment opportunities at EPI
Immigration and Labor Policy Analyst
Living Standards/Labor Economist
Director of Development
The Economic Policy Institute (EPI) is seeking an experienced Director of Development to join our organization and advance our mission of raising the economic status of low- and middle-income Americans and securing shared prosperity. Through incomparable policy research, analysis and recommendations, EPI has become the nation’s leading progressive economic think tank.
The Director of Development is responsible for providing overall fundraising leadership and strategic direction and mobilizing EPI staff to achieve development goals. To meet the growing demand for EPI research and analysis by national, state, and local level policymakers, the media, activist groups and other stakeholders, EPI must sustain and expand its base of support through traditional and new donor constituency bases. A key priority for the incoming Director of Development is exploration, identification, and acquisition of increased sources of general support, including major gifts.
Job Summary:
Reporting directly to the President, the Director of Development plans, implements, and supports all aspects of EPI’s development efforts including:
- Crafting, implementing, and managing an overall resource development strategy that is aligned with organizational strategic plans and will generate at least $6.5-7 million a year.
- Devising and instituting effective fundraising campaigns by constituent base: foundations, labor, individuals, and corporations.
- Preparing for and launching a major donor outreach and solicitation program and appropriate stewardship/cultivation opportunities.
- Supporting the President’s role in the resource development function, including the ongoing work of maintaining and advancing existing donor relationships and strengthening and supporting the role of the Board of Directors in fund development to improve EPI’s development success.
- Increasing EPI’s visibility before philanthropists through outreach and cultivation venues, including participation in relevant networking-related events.
- Overseeing and coordinating prospect research, proposal and report writing, deadlines for new grant applications and reporting requirements, as well as the preparation of budgets and financial reports with Finance and other staff.
- Creating and overseeing effective systems to implement the development strategy including maintaining development records, tracking results, and reporting on performance against fundraising goals.
- Crafting and overseeing production and dissemination of the annual report and other development-related promotional materials (via print, email and Internet), as necessary, in coordination with the Communications department.
The ideal candidate will possess:
- Energy and passion for EPI’s mission.
- At least ten years of progressively responsible work experience in development and fundraising related fields; prior senior-level fundraising experience with a growing national nonprofit preferred.
- A proven track record of engaging, sustaining and expanding a broad-based donor base, including demonstrated major gift fundraising success.
- Experience with online giving.
- Strong leadership and management skills, including personnel and non-profit management experience.
- Ability to engage and excite the organization as a whole in the development process.
- Excellent organizational and communication skills, including writing and presentation skills.
- Self-starter with the ability to prioritize multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously.
- Computer competency.
- The position is based in Washington, D.C., and will involve some travel. The Director of Development will manage a development staff of three professionals. The Director of Development serves on EPI’s senior management team and participates in setting the overall direction and strategy for the institute. The position requires a Bachelor’s degree, or an equivalent combination of skills and experience.
The Director of Development will receive a competitive salary, commensurate with the position and the successful applicant’s abilities and accomplishments. EPI offers an excellent benefits package, including health insurance, leave and retirement benefits. Interested candidates should email resume, salary history, and two relevant writing samples to HR@epi.org. The deadline for applying is March 3. Applications will be reviewed as they are received. No phone calls please. EPI is an EOE.
Immigration and Labor Policy Analyst
The Economic Policy Institute (EPI), the nation's leading progressive economic think tank, is seeking an experienced immigration and labor policy analyst. The successful candidate will analyze and help to develop policies to promote better labor market outcomes, especially through improved immigration policies, increased unionization, better workforce development and adjustment policies, and better enforcement of labor standards and labor laws. The immigration and labor policy analyst will work closely with EPI's vice president, researchers and partners to develop and promote a progressive policy agenda.
The ideal candidate possesses the following:
- Strong quantitative and analytical skills.
- Professional and effective written and oral communication skills.
- Ability to multitask.
- Comfort working under pressure and tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
- Excellent time management and team-building relationship skills.
- Energy and passion for EPI's mission.
Key responsibilities include:
- Focus on federal immigration policy and legislation, labor and employment law, workforce training and adjustment policy, and labor standards regulation and enforcement.
- Conduct legislative and policy analysis, produce academic quality papers, policy briefs, short memos, and snapshots. Writing should communicate complex policy in a clear and concise fashion.
- Develop specific regulatory proposals and develop a plan to achieve their implementation.
- Participate in coordination and research meetings, help design EPI's research agenda
- Work with unions, state and federal officials, NGOs, activists and other EPI staff to develop and promote better labor and employment policy.
- Talk to the press, appear on radio and television, and promote EPI research and general values to diverse audiences.
- Handle various time-sensitive research and writing activities, such as Congressional testimony and Hill/Administration requests
Skills and qualifications
Requirements
- Advanced degree in economics, public policy, law or a related field, or equivalent experience.
- Understanding of Congress and the legislative process, familiarity with key White House offices, the U.S. Department of Labor and the regulatory process; expertise in immigration policy, labor or employment law.
- At least 5 years experience as a labor or immigration lawyer, legislative staffer, policy analyst, or in a similar position. Additional policy experience, and/or in-depth expertise in federal regulatory policy and procedure are a plus. Economic research experience also a plus.
- Fluency with Excel and Word. Knowledge of Spanish a plus.
About EPI
The Economic Policy Institute is a nonprofit, nonpartisan think tank that seeks to broaden the public debate about strategies to achieve a prosperous and fair economy.
To apply
To apply for this position, please send cover letter and resume via email to: hr@epi.org. Please indicate that you are interested in the Immigration and Labor Policy Analyst position. They can also be mailed to Human Resources Department, Economic Policy Institute, 1333 H St. NW, Suite 300 East; Washington, DC 20005, or faxed to 202-775-0819. No phone calls please.
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Pay commensurate with experience. EPI offers an excellent benefit package and is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Living Standards/Labor Economist
The Economic Policy Institute is looking for an experienced economist for our flagship Living Standards program. In that position, the successful candidate would work with the Living Standards team to undertake a variety of research and analytical projects. They would be responsible for monitoring and commenting on current economic conditions, including labor market conditions; trends in income and wage outcomes; factors that impact low- and moderate-income workers; and others. They would also be expected to analyze and comment on related economic policies.
The position also includes a significant component of research dissemination and communication; working with EPI's external/communications team to communicate findings to the media, public-interest organizations, the academic community, and policy makers in Congress and the administration.
The successful candidate would also help set the direction of the program by identifying new areas of inquiry and shaping programmatic activities.
The position reports directly to the Research and Policy director, but will also work closely with EPI's president.
About the Living Standards program
The Economic Policy Institute is a nonprofit, nonpartisan think tank that seeks to broaden the public debate about strategies to achieve a prosperous and fair economy.
EPI's living standards program conducts research and analysis on a range of issues that are core to EPI's mission, including labor market conditions, policies that impact low- and moderate income workers, work and family issues, poverty, macroeconomic conditions, immigration, family budgets, and income inequality. EPI's well-known State of Working America biennial publication is primarily authored by the Living Standards team.
Responsibilities:
- Conduct analyses of labor market conditions using a variety of publicly available data sources
- Represent EPI in the media and other public forums
- Work with the Living Standards team to develop and implement a research and analysis agenda
- Conduct academic quality long-term research
Skills and qualifications:
Requirements:
- Ph.D. degree in economics or a related field.
- A working knowledge of one or more commonly used microeconomic survey datasets (such as the CPS, PSID, or the SIPP) and an ability to conduct statistical analyses of such data (e.g., using SAS, Stata, or other statistical software).
- Solid communication skills--both written and oral--for a variety of audiences.
An ideal candidate would have:
- Demonstrated research agenda in one or more living standards issue areas.
- In-depth knowledge of economic policy issues that impact low- and moderate-income families.
- Management and program development experience.
- Experience with media, including print and broadcast.
- Fundraising experience in a non-profit/think-tank environment.
To apply
To apply for this position, please send cover letter and resume via email to: researchjob@epi.org. Please indicate that you are interested in the Living Standards Economist position. They can also be mailed to Research Dept., Economic Policy Institute, 1333 H St. NW, Suite 300 East; Washington, DC 20005, or faxed to 202-775-0819. No phone calls please.
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Pay commensurate with experience. EPI offers an excellent benefit package and is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Media Relations Manager
The Economic Policy Institute (EPI), the nation's leading progressive economic think tank, is seeking an experienced Media Relations Manager to join our organization and advance our mission of raising the economic status of low- and middle-income Americans and securing shared prosperity.
The Media Relations Manager directs EPI’s media relations with the goal of increased public awareness of the Institute’s research and the Institute itself. He/she is responsible for designing and implementing media strategies for print, broadcast, electronic, and social media, developing media contacts for the organization, fielding media inquiries and pitching story ideas to reporters and producers. The Media Relations Manager also writes or oversees the writing of press releases, op-eds, blog posts, press advisories, fact sheets and other materials used for public dissemination.
The ideal candidate would possess:
- Ability to (a) think strategically about the interrelationship between media relations & public policy, and (b) create strategic media relations plans.
- Ability to communicate effectively with journalists, research community, staff, government officials, funders, sponsors, and key constituents. Relationships with journalists a strong plus.
- Knowledge of social media platforms.
- Ability to respond quickly to breaking news.
- Excellent communicator skills in both oral and written presentations for diverse audiences.
- Proficient management and organizational skills.
- Leadership skills to motivate and guide staff to achieve organizational goals.
Key responsibilities include:
- In consultation with the Communications Director, President, Vice President, and Senior Staff, develops media relations strategies for the Institute and its research. Develops and implements all inclusive strategies (print, broadcast, electronic and social media) for individual research reports, EPI events and other activities, and for shaping organizational image.
- Develops media contacts for the Institute and its scholars. Schedules print, broadcast and electronic media interviews for economists. Fulfills journalist and general public requests for information.
- Pitches story ideas based on EPI research to journalists, editors and producers- print, broadcast and electronic.
- Writes and edits press releases, press advisories, op-eds, talking points, blog posts, and other organizational materials as needed.
- Provides media training and advice for staff economists and research associates. Prepares economists and experts for media appearances.
- Responsible for keeping Communications Director up to date on major developments affecting EPI image among media, opinion makers, and the general public.
- Plans and arranges press conferences and calls.
- Supervise assistant media relations manager.
- Other duties as assigned.
Further skills and qualifications
Requirements:
- B.A.
- Knowledge in communications, journalism, media relations and social media, current political trends, Washington political and media society, economics/social/labor policy issues.
- 5 – 10 years experience in media relations.
- Proficient in Windows-based software.
- Must be able to work overtime with little notice due to breaking news or compelling deadline.
To apply
To apply for this position, please send cover letter and resume via email to: hr@epi.org. Please indicate that you are interested in the Media Relations Manager position. They can also be mailed to Human Resources Department, Economic Policy Institute, 1333 H St. NW, Suite 300 East; Washington, DC 20005, or faxed to 202-775-0819. No phone calls please.
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Pay commensurate with experience. EPI offers an excellent benefit package and is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
This page lists employment opportunities with the Economic Policy Institute. To view a listing of employment opportunities with Economic Analysis and Research Network (EARN) organizations, click here.
