Communications Specialist

• Own SPEND's external presence and communications function, including organic audience building across digital channels.
• Optimize content for discoverability in traditional search engines and AI-generated results (GEO).
• Develop editorial calendars, style guides, and content templates to ensure brand consistency.
• Support thought leadership strategy through direct channel publishing, conference presence, and field engagement.

This role directly shapes how researchers, policymakers, and school district leaders understand and engage with SPEND's data, which underpins billions in education funding. By establishing SPEND as the authoritative voice on education finance data infrastructure, you enable better resource allocation and system effectiveness.

• Experience in digital communications, content strategy, or related field; background in communications, journalism, or marketing preferred.
• Demonstrated understanding of organic audience building, multi-platform content management, and distribution list development.
• Working knowledge of SEO and generative engine optimization (GEO); strong written communication skills with editorial quality.
• Proficiency in Google Docs, Google Slides, PowerPoint; ability to present technical content accessibly.

Salary range: $70,000 to $85,000 annually (U.S.-based, geography not a factor). Fully remote team with core hours 10 AM – 5 PM ET. Travel 6–8 times per year for in-person collaboration. ERS equivalent job tier for benefits: Level II.

SPEND Initiative is a research and policy organization focused on education finance data infrastructure, providing objective, non-partisan technical expertise to support resource allocation and system effectiveness in education.