Director of Communications

The role

The Forecasting Research Institute (FRI) aims to advance the science of forecasting and use forecasting to improve the quality of decision-making on high-stakes issues. We are a research nonprofit co-founded by Chief Scientist Philip Tetlock. You can read about our projects and research here.

As we look to expand our impact in 2025 and beyond, we seek a Director of Communications to lead our communications efforts. This person will help establish FRI as a leading independent research institute known for rigorous standards. We aim for our work to be highly visible among policymakers, academics, and media, and seek someone who can craft a strategic roadmap to achieve this through media presence, partnerships, and outreach to funders and policymakers

Activities would include:

  • Owning FRI’s communications strategy: Develop and execute a comprehensive communications plan to establish FRI’s brand and approach to messaging. This includes guiding how, when, and where we communicate our research to key audiences, handling any associated risk management, and ensuring our message aligns with FRI's long-term goals.

  • Building and managing media relationships: Establish and nurture relationships with key journalists, editors, and media outlets; create press releases, media kits, and blog posts; and actively seek out media opportunities to amplify FRI’s work.

  • Driving fundraising communications: Support fundraising by pitching FRI projects to potential funders through targeted communication materials, impact reports, and presentations that convey FRI’s goals, achievements, and future potential.

  • Supporting engagement with policymakers: Determining which policy audiences would be most valuable to reach and how FRI can craft its materials and messaging to support and improve policy decisionmaking.

  • Enhancing Digital Presence: Ensure FRI’s website and digital channels consistently reflect strategic messaging. Manage content team to create blog posts, research highlights, and thought leadership pieces.

This role is new and relatively open-ended and we expect it to evolve over time. Depending on what excites you and where we see opportunities for impact, you may take on additional responsibilities related to expanding our strategic partnerships, fundraising, and advocacy efforts. You will report directly to the CEO and may eventually manage a small team of content editors.


Qualifications

The ideal candidate would have the following characteristics:

  • Passionate about FRI’s mission of improving decisionmaking on complex issues.

  • Familiarity with the U.S. media landscape and experience managing press relations, including pitching stories, handling interviews, and building relationships with media outlets.

  • Ability to write and edit quickly and clearly, tailoring a wide range of complex topics for diverse audiences.

  • Strong judgment for how communications will be perceived by different audiences and an ability to handle sensitive topics with nuance.

  • Familiarity with, and interest in, quantitative forecasting is helpful but not required.

  • Excellent interpersonal skills for working across teams and stakeholders.

  • Experience managing people or projects is preferred but not required.

  • Experience with engaging policy audiences and grantmakers is preferred but not required.

We highly encourage you to apply, even if you don't feel completely qualified. Some of the best people we’ve worked with in our careers felt underqualified when they first applied, and we’re glad they did so anyway.

The fine print

Role details

  • We prefer full-time but are open to part-time roles for the right candidate.

  • This role is entirely remote, and we are able to hire people in most countries. However, because this role requires significant external interaction with media and stakeholders in the US, we have a strong preference for candidates who can be consistently available during 11am - 3pm Eastern Standard Time.

  • Compensation for this role will vary depending on experience, but we expect it to be between $110,000-$150,000.

  • We provide 80% contribution towards fully funded health insurance for staff, 30 days per year of paid time off (including holidays), and up to 10 days of paid sick leave, among other benefits.

Application process

We are reviewing applications on a rolling basis and will take down this job posting when the role is filled.

The application process will vary by candidate but for successful candidates will typically involve:

  • An initial application, including a 1-hour work test

  • A paid 10-hour work trial working closely with the CEO to develop communications around one of our research projects

  • Three virtual interviews with members of our team