Associate Director of Policy and Advocacy

Reports to: Chief of Policy and Advocacy

Location: Washington, DC

Department: Policy, Advocacy, and Research

Status: Full time; exempt

Position Summary

Launched in 2018, the Groundwork Collaborative is driven by the idea that We Are The Economy: when all of us are doing well, that is when our economy thrives. We fight for progressive economic policy and narrative change that builds accountable public power, breaks up concentrations of private power, and affirmatively centers people too long left out of prosperity. We understand that taken together, these actions will lead to a stronger and more resilient economy.

Groundwork’s unique structure – part strategic communications, part think tank, and part issue advocacy organization – allows us to drive narrative and policy change with credibility, expertise, and impact. We work across four core audiences – the media, policymakers, economic experts, and grasstops leaders – and use targeted policy campaigns and timely research and messaging to advance a truly inclusive economic worldview.

We’re savvy, strategic thinkers who know how to spot an opportunity to advance our worldview and influence national economic policy debates, identify new audiences for Groundwork’s resources, and support and amplify the great work our partners are already doing so we’re all better aligned to achieve our common goals. We’re fearless in our approach to narrative change and are focused more on how to make the right economic messages popular tomorrow than we are on the poll-tested messages of today.

Position Summary

The Associate Director of Policy and Advocacy will be a member and leading advisor on Groundwork’s Policy, Advocacy, and Research team, managing substantive policy research and analytical work and serving as a lead advisor to the Chief of Policy and Advocacy and Groundwork senior leadership. The Associate Director will propose and conduct research, analyze and synthesize data, and develop materials to advance a cohesive and progressive economic worldview within the broader progressive movement. The Associate Director will work closely with other members Groundwork’s Policy, Advocacy, and Research team, staff across the organization, and external partners to produce everything from internal analyses to products for public release, often spearheading projects and initiatives from conception to completion with the support of senior leadership.

As an Associate Director of Policy and Advocacy you’ll…

• Work closely with the Chief of Policy and Advocacy and the Policy, Advocacy, and Research team to determine the research and policy strategy for the organization.
• Conduct credible and persuasive data analysis and original research that bolsters Groundwork's worldview and fills key gaps in the policy landscape;
• Translate cutting edge academic and policy research into clear and compelling products aimed at policymakers, grasstops leaders, and press;
• Keep abreast of, and actively engage in, key economic debates to bolster Groundwork's mission and goals;
• Identify and maintain relationships with policy experts and academic researchers who can serve as co-authors, partners, reviewers, and validators;
• Manage complex and multifaceted projects from conception to completion – align projects with key goals, construct detailed timelines, manage relevant staff, achieve milestones, and communicate the result across a stakeholder audience.
• Work with the policy, advocacy, and research team to generate ideas for persuasive research products and supervise the execution of those products (including managing external collaborators), including reports, white papers, congressional testimony, fact sheets, messaging guidance, and op-eds;
• Serve as a thought partner and provide technical assistance for the Chief of Policy and Advocacy and Executive Director on all things policy and research;
• Use your technical expertise to help ensure that products crafted by the policy and research team are methodologically sound and accurate.
• Proactively communicate across internal and external stakeholders;
• Act as public spokesperson for Groundwork at conferences, in the media, and other public speaking venues;
• Support and mentor staff members, especially those on the policy and research team;
• Demonstrate rapid response capacity by quickly analyzing and reacting to breaking policy developments or news events.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

About you:

• You have an advanced degree or commensurate experience in the quantitative social sciences (e.g. economics, public policy, political science, sociology, etc.)
• You’re committed to a just, inclusive, and robust economy that delivers opportunity and dignity to people, with a particular attention to dismantling structural barriers including racism, sexism, xenophobia, ableism, and others.
• You are comfortable engaging people across lines of difference, including race, gender, class, disability, and sexual orientation.
• You are highly proficient at gathering, describing, and analyzing large datasets, familiarity with econometric techniques are standard in labor economics, and keeps abreast of latest economic research;
• You have an entrepreneurial spirit with an ability to come up with big ideas, execute, and evaluate a project's effectiveness;
• You know how to use data to determine strengths and weaknesses of policy options;
• You are a strong writer, enjoy translating academic jargon into accessible and compelling language, and have high standards for quality control;
• You’re a pro at multitasking and working under tight deadlines in a dynamic environment;
• You are a skilled project manager, are self-motivated, well-organized, flexible, and work effectively both individually and as part of a team;
• You're an exceptional and proactive communicator up, down, and across the organization;
• You enjoy working collaboratively with others in an open and inclusive manner;
• You are invested in the growth and development of your peers and are readily willing to share your experience and expertise.

In addition, it would be a bonus if you…

• Have worked in public policy research, especially in a political, legislative or campaign context;
• Are deeply familiar with the progressive economic policymaking community and have existing relationships across the field; and
• Have familiarity with modern data visualization techniques, including mapping software.
• You are proficient in standard statistical software such as Stata, R, or Python;

The salary range for this position is $97,000 - $134,000.

We offer a generous benefits package, including five weeks of vacation and personal leave, two week-long office closures, additional time off for floating and federal holidays, zero-premium health insurance, a generous HRA, a retirement match of up to 6%, 12 weeks of paid parental leave with an option to take an additional 4 weeks unpaid, health club and cell-phone reimbursements, among other benefits.

This position is a part of the bargaining unit represented by the Nonprofit Professional Employees Union (NPEU).

How to apply

To begin the application process, please submit your resume, cover letter, and writing sample through our application page. Your cover letter and writing sample should be in a single document. Your writing sample should demonstrate your ability to analyze a complex policy issue with sound research and data analysis. This announcement will remain posted until the position is filled. Please note that only those individuals whose qualifications match the current needs of this position will be considered applicants and will receive responses from Groundwork. Thank you for your interest.

New Venture Fund Careers

Groundwork Collaborative is a project of the New Venture Fund, a 501(c)(3) public charity that incubates new and innovative public-interest projects and grant-making programs. The New Venture Fund is committed to attracting, developing and retaining exceptional people, and to creating a work environment that is dynamic, rewarding, and enables each of us to realize our potential. The New Venture Fund’s work environment is safe and open to all employees and partners, respecting the full spectrum of race, color, religious creed, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, political affiliation, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, and all other classifications protected by law in the locality and/or state in which you are working.

E-Verify

NVF participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with employees’ Form I-9 information to confirm authorization to work in the United States. Job candidates and employees authorized to work may not be discriminated against on the basis of national origin or citizenship status.