Digital and Design Associate

The Institute for Higher Education Policy (IHEP) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan research, policy, and advocacy organization committed to building a more equitable and just society through higher education. Through research, advocacy, policy development, and field engagement, IHEP drives systemic change in higher education to advance equitable outcomes and generational impact for communities historically marginalized on the basis of race, ethnicity or income.

ABOUT THE POSITION:

Reporting to the Communications Manager, the Digital and Design Associate will develop and coordinate IHEP's digital presence, translating complex education policy research and advocacy work into compelling content and visuals for online audiences including policymakers, practitioners, and institutions. This role bridges strategic communications and web management, requiring both the ability to shape content strategy and execute effectively across platforms. The ideal candidate understands how to present data-driven insights accessibly, work collaboratively with policy and research teams, and maintain consistency across IHEP's digital ecosystem.

Although IHEP is headquartered in Washington, D.C., we operate fully remotely on a day-to-day basis; however, employees must reside in the United States.  We come together, in-person in D.C., two to three times a year to connect, build cohesion, and bond as a full staff. In addition, this role may require occasional national travel.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Content Development & Strategy

• Develop and execute digital content strategies that support IHEP's policy advocacy and research dissemination goals
• Create, edit, and publish high-quality content across web platforms, social media, email, and other channels
• Translate complex policy research into accessible narratives and compelling stories for diverse audiences
• Coordinate IHEP's digital editorial calendar and content workflows with policy, research, and communications teams
• Apply and uphold brand voice and style consistency across digital channels

Website Management

• Manage day-to-day website operations and content updates using WordPress
• Manage site organization and navigation, and recommend improvements to information hierarchy and user experience
• Monitor website analytics, identify performance trends, and share insights that inform Communications Team decisions
• Coordinate with external vendors or developers onsite maintenance and technical projects
• Ensure web and digital content meets accessibility standards, including alt text, color contrast, and accessible PDFs

Digital Communications Execution

• Create and schedule social media content and manage community engagement across platforms
• Draft email communications and newsletters, and contribute to email strategy
• Create graphics, infographics, data visualizations, and other visual content using design tools; coordinate with outside designers on complex projects
• Maintain digital asset libraries and content repositories

Collaboration & Project Management

• Work closely with policy, research, and government affairs teams to identify content opportunities and plan launches
• Manage multiple content projects simultaneously, meeting deadlines and quality standards
• Communicate clearly with senior leadership and stakeholders  

QUALIFICATIONS:

We are looking for a combination of the following skills and experience. We encourage all to apply even if you don’t meet every qualification. 

• Bachelor's degree in communications, marketing, graphic design, digital media, journalism, or related field (or equivalent professional experience in lieu of degree)
• 2–4 years of professional experience in digital content creation, web management, and/or communications (nonprofit, policy, higher education, or mission-driven organization experience strongly preferred)
• Software experience:
  • Hands-on WordPress experience, including creating, editing and publishing content, page building, customization, and basic troubleshooting (such as resolving layout issues or running plugin updates)
  • Hands-on design skills with Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) and/or Canva; ability to create and edit graphics, social media templates, and visual content
  • Familiarity with SEO best practices, Google Analytics, and data-driven decision making for content optimization
• Strong written communication skills, with demonstrated ability to write clearly and compellingly to distill complex information into accessible narratives for different audiences and platforms
• Experience managing projects including ability to set priorities, manage timelines, and juggle multiple concurrent projects
• Ability to both develop content strategy aligned with organizational goals and execute day-to-day content management
• Ability to work effectively across departments and draw insights from policy and research experts and translating them for public audiences
• Experience managing brand consistency, copy accuracy, and technical standards across multiple channels
• Curiosity about the evolving digital landscape and eagerness to learn new tools and platforms including AI-enabled tools
• Ability to use data and analytics to inform content decisions and measure impact
• Comfortable working independently while maintaining clear communication across teams and leadership

Nice to have:

• Experience with email marketing platforms (e.g. Constant Contact)

• Familiarity with higher education or education policy
• Basic HTML and CSS skills, such as adjusting page layouts, styling elements, or embedding content

WORKING at IHEP:

IHEP recognizes that a talented and inclusive workforce of people with diverse backgrounds and experiences benefits individuals, partners, and IHEP as a whole. We recognize that all employees bring their own capabilities, experiences, and characteristics to their work. IHEP believes in treating all individuals with respect and dignity and strives to achieve a supportive environment in which all employees reach their maximum potential. The wide array of perspectives promotes innovation and strengthens our work in support of the organization's mission.

IHEP values a healthy work-life balance and offers a comprehensive benefits package with generous paid time off; health, dental, and vision benefits; 401K matching; life and disability insurance; flexible work arrangements; and other benefits. Salary is commensurate with experience. The starting salary range for the position is $67,000 - $77,000.

Employees must reside within the United States for the duration of employment. IHEP is not able to sponsor work authorization; therefore, candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for employer sponsorship.

HOW TO APPLY:

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and resume and apply through this site. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis with a priority deadline to apply by November 19, 2026.

The Institute for Higher Education Policy is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages inclusion and experiential diversity in all facets of the organization’s work.

IHEP participates in E-Verify and confirms all employees are authorized to work in the United States through a Form I-9. For more about your right to work, see this information from the Immigrant and Employee Rights Section of the Department of Justice.