Job Description

Communications Assistant (Full-Time, Remote).

The National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ) is seeking a Communications Assistant to help us advance our mission of ensuring every child has a great teacher by supporting our core communications work.

This is a perfect opportunity for someone who is adept in writing for websites; thinking through how words, images, and interactive elements look and function on the page; and leveraging SEO to improve visibility. It’s ideal for a detail-oriented person who gets energized by the prospect of digging into the minutiae that makes communications initiatives successful—like clean contact lists and web/email analytics—and appreciates the importance of how tone and framing impact the organization’s credibility and our ability to engage stakeholders. The individual right for this role will have a strong commitment to advancing educational opportunities for children from all backgrounds and circumstances.

Organization Description:

NCTQ is on a mission to ensure every child has access to an effective teacher and that every teacher has the opportunity to become effective. Only when we ensure that students who have long been underserved by our systems—including students of color, students from low-income backgrounds, students with disabilities, and multilingual learners—have equitable access to strong teachers and great instruction will we begin to see meaningful progress in academic achievement, leading to better life outcomes for individuals and stronger, more prosperous communities.

We work toward this mission by engaging three actors with the greatest influence over teacher quality: districts, states, and teacher preparation programs. We advocate for smart policies grounded in data, and we champion those who are leading the way. NCTQ has a networked action strategy that leverages multiple stakeholders (education leaders, policymakers, and advocates at the state and national levels) to ensure our research leads to action and improves student learning.

As an equal opportunity employer, we seek to hire staff who bring diverse perspectives and experiences. Our work is dynamic and fast-paced, and our staff is passionate. This position is 100% remote—just like the entire NCTQ office. There is some travel involved, including a minimum of four in-person staff retreats per year.

Job Summary:

The Communications Assistant will manage NCTQ website content (nctq.org); oversee our GoogleAds campaigns and SEO initiatives with the goal of increasing traffic to our digital products; update our contact lists; assist in producing social media content; and track web/email analytics. For example, when NCTQ releases a new report with specific recommendations for policymakers and education leaders, the Communications Assistant will enter final content in the WordPress content management system (CMS) (including optimizing content, meta descriptions, and overall page structure to improve search engine ranking); identify the appropriate places to promote the new work across our digital properties, draft promotional language, and set it up in the CMS; update or create a new GoogleAds campaign to drive traffic to the resource; and ensure contact lists are clean and up-to-date for email campaigns promoting the new content.

This person will also assist with administrative functions of the Communications team, including managing copyediting/proofreading and—on an ongoing basis—supporting analytics tracking and reporting for funders and the Board of Directors.

Core Responsibilities:

• Manage NCTQ.org: Oversee the maintenance of the NCTQ website, including working with staff to build out new products on the site once content is finalized; developing promotional web language for new products and entering it in the CMS; using a data-driven approach to update website content to encourage audience engagement with existing reports/briefs; and implementing enhancement initiatives to maximize functionality and usability of the NCTQ website.
  • Increase traffic to NCTQ web products through stronger GoogleAds campaigns and improved SEO: Manage NCTQ’s GoogleAds campaigns, including creating new campaigns and optimizing existing ads; collaborate with content creators to develop SEO-friendly content and page structures that meet user needs and rank well in search engines.
• Identify insights using NCTQ website and email analytics: Track and analyze website and email data (traffic, click rates, open rates, etc.) to identify insights and trends that can inform improvements to communications initiatives.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, public relations, English, political science, or a related field.
• 1–2 years of work experience (internship experience counts).
• Excellent writing and proofreading skills, including the ability to synthesize complex information into a simple, compelling key message and demonstrated understanding of how to write for the web.
• Proven knowledge of basic SEO best practices.
• Evidence of successfully managing multiple priorities against high standards of quality and timeliness, with demonstrated positive outcomes.

Attributes of a Successful Candidate:

• Attitude/Approach: Committed to excellence and eager to constantly learn and grow; highly motivated, results-oriented, and able to complete tasks efficiently in a fast-paced environment; belief in NCTQ’s mission.
• Team Player: Thrives in a collaborative environment; contributes to dialogue and discussion around communications and advocacy strategy; generates solutions and ideas with others.
• Creative and Solutions-Oriented: Able to identify the essence of a problem and devise effective solutions.
• Extremely Organized: Effectively prioritizes multiple tasks; plans backwards; anticipates obstacles.
• Technical Skills: Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Google Suite required; experience with WordPress, email campaign systems (e.g., MailChimp), Airtable, Buffer, Canva, GoogleAds, and Google Analytics is a plus.

Salary and Benefits:

We offer competitive compensation commensurate with experience and an attractive benefits package, including full health care coverage, paid vacation, wellness days, and a retirement matching contribution policy.

Our remote work environment is bolstered by virtual and in-person opportunities to connect. We hold bi-weekly staff meetings, social gatherings (remote and in-person), and quarterly in-person retreats to keep our team connected and thriving. We also offer stipends to assist with office supplies and cell/internet expenses.

How to Apply (Please Read Carefully).

To be considered, applicants must submit all required materials listed below. Applications without the required writing exercise will not be reviewed.
Important: NCTQ does not require a traditional cover letter for this role.

Required Application Materials:

• Resume.
• Required Writing Exercise (Replaces Cover Letter) – In 350 words or less, describe your most successful communications initiative. Include:
  • The project’s goal(s).
  • How you determined success.
  • Areas for improvement.
  • Your specific role in the initiative.
  • The strategic approach you used.

Please do not submit a traditional cover letter.

 

Apply Now.

Submit all required application materials to Missy Couch ( mcouch@nctq.org ) by February 13. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
Email Subject Line: Communications Assistant Application – [Your Name].

Job Tags

Full time, Work experience placement, Internship, Work at office, Remote work,

Similar Jobs