Director, Democracy (DCC, Communications)

WHO WE ARE

Third Plateau is a social impact and philanthropy consulting firm. We partner with nonprofits, philanthropists, families, and the public sector to achieve transformative, community-centered impact.

OUR PHILOSOPHY

We work with clients and communities as partners in achieving a future where people and the planet thrive – creating meaning and joy in the process. At Third Plateau, we lead with partnership, evidence, equity, and optimism for a fundamentally better world. Everything we do, internally and externally, is rooted in our four core values:

TEAM UP

We recognize that people are at the center of social change and approach our interactions with the belief that we will go further together than we can alone. We cultivate relationships and collaborations rooted in trust and shared purpose. Centering empathy, we develop deep and authentic connections with those around us. We ask for what we need and lead with generosity to provide for others.

STEP UP

We passionately rise to the challenge of co-creating a just world we have yet to see but know is possible. We courageously and boldly advocate for the health, vibrancy, and prosperity of all and advance equity for current and future generations. We embrace our work with purpose, intention, and creativity. We experiment, take calculated risks, and question the status quo in an effort to design solutions that can scale impact swiftly and broadly.

LEARN UP

We know that communities closest to the challenge are closest to the solutions, so we stay insatiably curious and lead with humility and an open mind. We actively listen, reflect, and explore with individuals from varied backgrounds, perspectives, and lived experiences to address gaps in our understanding. We push the boundaries of our thinking by asking powerful questions and integrating diverse ways of learning. We commit to continuous learning and adaptation, celebrating progress over perfection for ourselves and those around us.

LIVE UP

We believe all people are naturally creative, resourceful, and whole. We care for ourselves, each other, and our communities by finding meaning and joy in our work, practicing balance, and prioritizing wellness. We center authentic connection to help nurture a resilient, creative, and vibrant team, which is vital for fostering fulfillment in our work. We are here to improve our communities and live fully while we do it.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

Overview

Under the guidance of a Third Plateau Senior Director, the Director will be an integral part of Third Plateau’s democracy team and serve in a senior position in the Democracy Communications Collaborative (DCC), a coordination, research, and grantmaking organization that empowers pro-democracy forces across the ideological spectrum to build durable public support for American democracy through strategic communications.

This communications role will facilitate communications coordination and collaboration across practitioner organizations in the democracy field. Essential to the work will be driving adoption of a shared narrative about American democracy by the DCC Partner Table, a community of nearly 100 organizations that has coordinated field-wide activity with increasing effectiveness since 2022. Top candidates will have experience in message and narrative development, public opinion research, and coalition management, and possess a bias towards action and problem-solving.

Essential duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Communications Coordination

• Convene, organize, and evolve working groups of the DCC Partner Table that coordinate strategic and tactical communications, and related research.
• Build consensus, motivate collective action, and build partnerships among communications professionals in the democracy practitioner field.
• Facilitate the collaborative development and widespread adoption of a shared narrative across the democracy field.
• Navigate the politics, personalities, and constraints of a broad and diverse coalition of organizations and stakeholders.
• Help develop and implement regular communications products that provide strategic, tactical, and thought leadership to the democracy field.

Research Program & Support

• Help lead the DCC’s public opinion research program, engaging with vendors and partners to provide high quality research to the community.
• Support the practical implementation of research findings by creating tools, guides, and other materials for our community.
• Support the grantmaking function of the DCC by identifying opportunities and providing expertise to the grantmaking process.

Organizational Stewardship

• Stay up to date on current events and thinking in communications and the democracy field more broadly.
• Assist with the production and dissemination of written deliverables for funders and partners.
• Tend to internal administrative items (e.g., emails/slack, timekeeping, expenses, HR).
• Participate in internal activities (i.e., full team meetings, peer learning communities, culture building activities, and regular check-ins with your supervisor).
• Engage in individual and team wide professional development/learning opportunities.
• Mentor and advise less experienced staff.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED

• 10+ years of professional experience plus strong project management skills.
• A strong working knowledge of the modern American political and media environment.
• Significant experience in developing message guidance and narrative from public opinion research and implementing it in day-to-day communications.
• Experience with public opinion research projects, including familiarity with various methodologies and working with research vendors.
• Experience working as part of a coalition and motivating collective action.
• Democracy-related work, civic engagement, politics, and knowledge of democracy issues in the United States and/or around the world, are strongly preferred.
• Be an organized self-starter able to prioritize and juggle multiple assignments.
• Candidates should be comfortable working alongside people with whom they may have deep disagreements, be able to be transparent about their own beliefs without being restricted by them, and be willing to invest in building bridges and finding common ground.
• Strong skills around meeting planning and facilitation, including being able to create and lead large and small groups through agendas.
• The ability to engage in limited travel (up to 20%) for client work and team retreats.

BENEFITS + PERKS

• • Remote-First Approach
  • Flexible & Generous Time Off
  • 100% employer-paid options for medical, dental, and vision coverage for you, with employer contributions toward dependent coverage
  • Employer-paid short- and long-term disability and life insurance
  • Employer contribution of up to $825 to your Health Savings Account
  • Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA, DCFSA and Commuter)
  • Initial home office stipend of $550, with $250 provided annually thereafter
  • $110/monthly cell phone and home internet stipend
  • 13 weeks paid parental and medical leave
  • Annual year-end bonus based on both company performance and individual performance
  • $500 annually to invest in your mental, emotional, and physical well-being
  • Access to curated learning opportunities and team-based growth experiences to support the professional development of our team

$100,000 - $135,000 a year

A compensation committee will meet to discuss potential starting salary within the band by weighing the candidate's expected contribution in terms of previous experience and expertise against current Third Plateau employees. We commit to sharing the reasoning used to determine starting salary with you. The expectation is not for new team members to be hired with a starting salary at the top of the band, but to have a salary that adequately compensates experience and expertise while countering pay inequality and upholding internal parity.

Application deadline: 5:00 pm PT, June 16, 2025

Not sure you meet 100% of our qualifications? Research shows that men apply for jobs when they meet an average of 60% of the criteria. Yet, women and other people who are systematically marginalized tend to only apply if they meet every requirement. If you believe you could excel in this role, we encourage you to apply. We are dedicated to considering a broad array of candidates, including those with diverse workplace experiences and backgrounds. Whether you're new to this field, returning to work after a gap in employment, looking to transition, or taking the next step in your career, we would be glad to have you on our radar.

At Third Plateau, we believe in the power of diverse teams. In our recruiting efforts, we always seek to reach a broad and diverse pool of applicants to ensure our final candidates are not a homogeneous group in terms of demographics or experience. You can read more about our commitment to Equity & Belonging here. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds. Third Plateau is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to their race, color, age, religious creed, sexual orientation, or other personal characteristics.

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