Policy Advocate, Coalition Building and Advocacy

Protect Democracy seeks Policy Advocates who are passionate about protecting and strengthening our democracy by advancing policy solutions and organizing strategic coalitions and campaigns. Policy Advocates lead our efforts to influence congressional offices, state-level policymakers, candidates for elected office, executive branch officials, and similar decision-makers through direct outreach, coalition building, and related strategic communications directed at our target audiences. They also lead efforts within Protect Democracy to develop and refine policy solutions that would strategically advance Protect Democracy’s mission. This is a role for experienced candidates.

Ideal candidates bring significant advocacy experience, with demonstrated experience and interest working in cross-ideological coalitions and the ability to engage with legislative offices and partners on the right, center, and left of the political spectrum.

Candidates from diverse backgrounds and with policy views across the political and ideological spectrum are strongly encouraged to apply. Our team values diversity of viewpoints and includes people who have Republican, Democratic, and independent backgrounds.

We plan to hire multiple candidates, and as a result, we do not expect that any one candidate will have all of the experiences and requirements listed below. You can work remotely from any location in the United States.

Policy Advocates will:

• Develop, propose, and lead strategic campaigns aimed at influencing political leaders at the federal or state level to rebuild and strengthen our democratic norms and institutions.

• Build and manage coalitions of organizations, civil society actors (such as business leaders or former government officials), and activists in support of strategic campaigns to protect, rebuild, and perfect our democracy.

• Work with legislators, their staffs, agency leaders, experts, and coalition partners to advance pro-democracy policy reforms.

• Generate and sharpen creative policy proposals on topics such as preventing election subversion, protecting election officials, and moving towards proportional representation.

• Partner with colleagues to develop integrated advocacy campaigns that combine legal, policy, and communications strategies.

• Write, publish, and give presentations to highlight the need for specific pro-democracy reforms and to build support among other nongovernmental organizations, academia, and target media audiences for the theories of change to achieve such reforms.

• Brief reporters and provide expert commentary on complex policy issues and solutions.

The ideal candidate brings:

• At least 7 years of relevant professional experience, or 4 or more years of relevant professional experience and a relevant advanced degree.

• Demonstrated ability to build trusting and productive relationships with partners across the political spectrum and advocacy ecosystem.

• Demonstrated ability to design and lead policy development, campaigns, or advocacy initiatives at the federal or state level at a high level of excellence.

• Strong commitment to a cross-ideological advocacy approach and awareness of potential weaknesses in advocacy campaigns and how to mitigate them.

• Experience developing legislative and/or executive branch lobbying strategies.

• Experience managing complex projects and teams from idea to execution.

• Ability to draft concrete legislative or regulatory proposals, including legislative text and supporting policy documents with minimal supervision, and supervise team members to prepare these materials.Excellent judgment about political activism, including what levers can make change happen with limited resources.

• Understanding the rhythms of the political-media world and legislative dynamics.

• Ability to foster collaborative relationships and work in a team environment with people with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives.

• Growth mindset and enthusiasm for giving and receiving feedback up, down and sideways.

• Passion for protecting and improving our democracy.

Compensation

The starting salary range is $103,828 to $122,151 for mid-career candidates (typically with 7 or more years of relevant experience), $128,638 to $151,340 for more experienced candidates (typically with 12 or more years of relevant experience), commensurate with the candidate’s relevant experience, capabilities and skills and in alignment with internal equity.

About Protect Democracy

• Flexible location. You can work from any location in the United States as long as your location allows you to complete the demands of the position and mission. All staff are required to travel at least two times per year to internal team retreats, and occasionally for project-related travel. (Accommodations to this requirement will be made only in exceptional circumstances.) We currently have staff in Washington, DC, New York, Massachusetts, California, Virginia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Georgia, Utah, Kentucky, Washington, Florida, Illinois, Arizona, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Vermont, Colorado, Maryland, Wisconsin, Louisiana, and Texas. We offer shared workspaces in many of these locations for staff members who enjoy working in an office environment.

• Commitment to a diverse workplace. Protect Democracy is an equal opportunity employer. Our culture principles emphasize that there is strength in diversity as we believe diverse teams are more innovative, creative, and productive. Protect Democracy encourages applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, or veteran status.

• Competitive pay and phenomenal benefits. In addition to a competitive salary, our benefits package includes an unlimited vacation and sick leave policy, along with 12 paid holidays, 4 weeks of paid family medical leave, and 18 weeks of paid parental leave. We also offer a 401(k) plan with up to 6% employer match that vests immediately, full coverage for an excellent health care plan that includes both dental and vision insurance, long-term disability and life insurance for all employees, a home office stipend, and as budget allows, discretionary bonuses.

• Ample opportunities for personal & professional development. Candidates who do not meet all listed criteria should still apply, as our organizational structure focuses on providing mentorship and opportunities for professional growth.

To apply for this position, please complete the application linked below. As part of your application, you will be asked to upload your resume and cover letter as a single PDF. Applications missing any of the required materials will be considered incomplete and not reviewed. Complete applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Please contact hiring@protectdemocracy.org if you require accommodations at any point in the application process.