Lead Writer, Executive Office (Job ID: 2025-3700)

Join one of the most influential most quoted and most trusted think tanks!

The Brookings Institution is a nonprofit public policy organization based in Washington DC. Our mission is to conduct in-depth research that leads to new ideas for solving problems facing society at the local national and global level.

We bring together leading experts in government and academia from all over the world rooted in open-minded inquiry and representing diverse points of view who provide the highest quality research policy recommendations and analysis. Research topics cover a full range of public policy issues in economics foreign policy development governance and metropolitan policy.

With fair and transparent business practices clear communication mutual respect and a collaborative atmosphere that offers both professional and personal development opportunities Brookings offers an inclusive and welcoming workplace that values the efforts of all contributors.

About the Executive Office:The Executive Office (EO) moves the Brookings mission forward by supporting and guiding the research programs external affairs and business operations of the Institution. The EO consists of the Presidents office and the Presidents support team and aims to communicate regularly and transparently with Brookings staff about whats happening at the institutional level

Position Location: This position is hybrid. Hybrid positions combine regular in-person presence at our Washington DC office with the option of two days of remote work each week.

Ready to contribute to Brookings success

The Lead Writer serves as the primary writer for the President and Executive Office. This position works closely with and has a dotted-line reporting relationship to the vice president of communication and public affairs to ensure coordination of the presidents and the institutions communications efforts. This is a key role in the executive office and contributes to its overall effectiveness in advancing the presidents priorities including as a critical liaison to research program communications and fundraising leadership to coordinate internal communications and activities of the president. Responsible for developing and executing compelling strategic messaging that reflects the Presidents voice vision and leadership. The role combines expert-level writing with strategic counsel to ensure executive communications drive business objectives strengthen stakeholder engagement and elevate the companys reputation.

Speechwriting (45%)

• Prepare long-form remarks for internal events including:

  • Work closely with president chief of staff and vice president of communications and public affairs to develop and write presidents reports for each board meeting. This includes development of PowerPoint presentations and collaborating extensively across the institution to gather information fact-check content and incorporate editorial feedback throughout the drafting process.

  • Prepare presidents reports for the board of trustee executive committee meetings including input from a broad set of stakeholders.

  • Develop talking points for all-staff town halls accompanied by PowerPoint presentations.

• Prepare the president for events in which she is a participant for example as a speaker a panel moderator or a fireside chat participant. This work is done in close collaboration with the presidents research assistant with the goal of developing compelling content that uses clear language aimed at generalist non-scholar audiences and may include PowerPoint slides.

  • This process involves gathering and synthesizing information fact-checking and tailoring language to reflect the presidents voice and the goals of the event.

• Write the presidents typically concise (5-10 minute) opening or closing remarks for internal or external events.

• Ensure consistent presidential messaging on key topics across communications products including speeches.

Written Communications (30%)

• Work closely with the development team to draft and send emails from the presidents account to funders and potential funders including the Brookings board of trustees and international advisory council. Examples of these communications include:

  • Significant operational updates

  • Gift solicitations

  • Thank-you messages

  • Event invitations

• In close coordination with development events and communications staff write and send invitations to high-level external speakers invited to speak at Brookings.

• In partnership with the chief of staff members of the executive leadership team and other stakeholders as needed write edit and send all-staff email communications from the president.

• Ensure all communications consistently reflect the presidents voice. This requires shadowing the president in meetings to understand her voice priorities leadership style and the work of the institution.

Collaboration with Central Communications (25%)

• In partnership with the vice president of communications and public affairs and the chief of staff develop and implement a communications plan that guides the presidents efforts to raise Brookings profile through high-impact written content and speaking engagements.

  • These may include for example identifying high-profile speaking opportunities securing op-ed placements working with the research assistant to draft and place recurring columns and leading other external communications initiatives.

• Provide support to the vice president of communications and public affairs on written communications external and internal as needed and as workload allows.

Ready to make an impact In this role you will support Brookings values of collegiality respect inclusion diversity and community and bring the following qualifications:

Education/Experience Requirements

Bachelors degree in Communications Journalism English Political Science or a related field required. Minimum five years of relevant work experience required; experience providing staff support for executive leaders required. Must have experience in research and analysis to support writing in a principals voice. History of writing knowledgeably and comfortably about public policy issues to broad general audiences is desirable. Exceptional writing storytelling and editing skills; ability to adapt voice and tone to match the speaker. Strategic thinker with strong business acumen and the ability to distill complex ideas into clear impactful messages. Proven ability to advise senior leaders with confidence and discretion. Experience working in fast-paced high-stakes environments.Strong collaboration skills and cross-functional fluency with communications public affairs and executive offices. Complete fluency in written and oral English required.

Knowledge/Skill Requirements

Excellent writing skills are essential to this positions success including concept and message development and drafting fact checking editing and proofreading. Must be able to write clearly and concisely for different audiences and be skilled at synthesizing input from diverse sources while serving as a firm advocate for the presidents priorities. Must be able to work effectively with all levels of internal and external stakeholders and demonstrate impeccable judgment people skills and poise. Successful candidates will be deeply collaborative and enjoy an in-person and collegial atmosphere. Must possess excellent organizational skills and an initiative-taking approach with an elevated level of diligence. Must thrive under tight deadlines and accommodate occasional flexible hours. High degree of professionalism with discretion and the ability to maintain confidentiality. Must possess advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office applications including Office 365.

Must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S.

Additional Information

What can we offer you Brookings provides a generous benefit package that is comprehensive and includes both traditional benefits and unique offerings. Our comprehensive benefits package includes medical dental and vision benefits generous time off and workplace flexibility. For more information please visit Brookings Benefits.

Brookings requires that all applicants submit a cover letter and resume. Please attach your cover letter and resume as one document when you apply.Please note: if you have applied to more than one Brookings job opening you should add a position-specific cover letter as a separate attachment.

Successful completion of a background investigation is for employment at Brookings.

Brookings welcomes and celebrates diversity in all its forms including diversity of experience thought and personal background. We welcome applications that reflect a variety of backgrounds based on ideology race ethnicity religion national origin gender sexual orientation gender identity or expression disability veteran status first generation college goers and other factors protected by law. Brookings is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer that is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive selection decisions are based upon merit skills abilities and experience.