Commentary Editor (part-time)

As a part of the Communications and External Affairs department, the Media Relations team helps raise RAND's profile by contributing to the awareness, understanding, and appreciation of RAND, our work, and our people’s expertise. RAND has an opening for a half-time commentary editor based in Santa Monica, Washington, or Pittsburgh. The commentary editors are an essential part of our efforts to enhance the relevance of RAND research and expertise to current policy discussions.

This individual will commission and edit opinion essays and other forms of commentary from RAND's researchers for external publications. Editors will occasionally ghost write, but most of the work is developmental and line editing. Editors will collaborate with RAND's wide range of subject matter experts, including labor economists, former diplomats and military leaders, climate scientists, medical doctors, and more. Commentary editors are expected to work through multiple drafts to create compelling, relevant, research-informed pieces.

Commentary editors also coordinate the internal approval process for such material, help authors pitch their articles to external outlets, maintain a database of relevant editors, lead training sessions in commentary writing, and develop new strategies to disseminate materials to reach intended audiences. This position will work approximately 20 hours per week; some flexibility in work schedule is required.

Qualifications

Required:

• At least 9 years of previous experience in journalism or corporate/government communications
• Excellent communication skills with a proven track record of presenting ideas and concepts verbally and in writing
• Superior interpersonal skills and the ability to collaborate with a wide range of stakeholders are essential
• Experience working in environments with rigorous quality assurance culture
• Demonstrated ability to think creatively and strategically
• Familiarity with online methods of communications (social media, data visualization, web, video).

Preferred

• Experience writing and/or editing commentary on the staff of a top-tier media outlet is strongly preferred.
• Experience in government policymaking or public diplomacy would be an asset.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in English, Communications, Journalism or related field required. A Master’s degree in a related field is preferred.

Location

Washington, Santa Monica, or Pittsburgh

Work Samples

Candidates must submit two (2) examples of their written work:

• They should reflect the ability to write clear, compelling prose that effectively communicates research or technical material to a chosen audience. For each of the two examples, candidates should submit a version that reflects solely their own work (e.g., a draft version of the example), as well as a finished version of the example that can reflect intellectual contributions from others (e.g., a final, edited product).

Note: Samples submitted as representations of a candidate's work alone must not include any writing or editing enhanced by artificial-intelligence tools.

Salary Range: $120,900 - $184,500

Note: The salary represents the annualized amount for a full-time position.

RAND considers a variety of factors when formulating an offer, including but not limited to, the specific role and associated responsibilities; a candidate’s work experience, education/training, skills, expertise; and internal equity. This position is eligible for overtime. The salary range includes base pay plus RAND’s sabbatic pay on a pro-rated basis (which provides additional compensation above base pay when vacation is taken). In addition, RAND provides strong benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, paid time-off and more.

Equal Opportunity Employer: race/color/religion/sex/sexual orientation/gender identity/national origin/disability/vet

The RAND Corporation is a research organization that develops solutions to public policy challenges to help make communities throughout the world safer and more secure, healthier and more prosperous. RAND’s research and analysis address issues that impact people everywhere, including security, health, education, sustainability, growth, and development. Headquartered in Santa Monica, California, RAND has approximately 1,770 people from approximately 50 countries working in offices in North America, Europe and Australia, with annual revenues of $346 million.

RAND is nonprofit, nonpartisan, and committed to the public interest. Our research is sponsored by government agencies, international organizations, and foundations. We rely on philanthropic support to pursue visionary ideas; address critical problems that are under-researched; and devise innovative approaches for solving acute, complex, or provocative policy challenges. RAND values objectivity and integrity in both its research processes and internal interactions. We emphasize a collegial environment that respects the contributions and dignity of all staff.