Media Analyst, Moderate Communications, Moderate Power Project

Third Way is a national think tank and advocacy organization that champions moderate policy and political ideas. Since our founding in 2005, we have served as a critical bulwark against political extremism by advancing values-driven, reform-oriented solutions on the defining issues of our time. Our work is grounded in the mainstream American values of opportunity, freedom, security, and democratic capitalism, and we advocate for the vital center across seven major areas: climate and energy, economy, education, health care, national security, politics, and social policy.

Third Way’s Moderate Communications Center (Mod Comms) serves as the megaphone for the moderate movement by amplifying the voices and ideas of the center left with a particular focus on the new media and digital landscape.

The Media Analyst is tracking and curating the most compelling content, commentary, and insights to showcase the dynamic leaders and creative ideas that can unite a broad cross-section of Americans in the middle. They are adept at following the national conversation, verifying the source and authenticity of their research, and searching out timely and engaging clips, quotes, and conversations for the team to inject at critical junctures in the digital ecosystem. The Media Analyst has a knack for finding and identifying compelling material to create a drumbeat of content. This work is the backbone of the team’s mission to build a network that can increase the reach of the Democratic center in the national conversation. Mod Comms is part of Third Way's Moderate Power Project to build infrastructure on the center left to challenge far-left extremism and champion ideas and voices from the vital center.

The Media Analyst will:

• Research and track opportunities to uplift center left public figures across a variety of sources including online/print news, social media, cable news, podcasts, official proceedings and more on the path to rebuild the Democratic coalition, how to win, and policy discussions on key economic and cultural issues;
• Build a catalog of quotes, press hits, clips, social media appearances, podcasts, and more that the Mod Comms team can deploy;
• Partner with the press team to identify political and policy trends for pitching;
• Prepare research briefs for the Deputy Director of Mod Comms and the Mod Comms team of material to deploy across the Mod Comms network;
• Identify and flag timely material from moderate leaders for amplification;
• Conducts other research projects as needed.
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Salary Range: $65,000 - $80,000, annually

At Third Way, we are committed to non-discrimination and fair pay practices. The final starting salary offer will be determined based on your experience and qualifications.

Competencies:

• Analytical & Research Skills
• Critical Thinking
• Problem Solving
• Written Communication
• Detail Orientation
• Political Awareness
• Creativity
• Knowledge Management
• Accountability for Self
• Respectfulness

This might be the job for you, if you have:

• A degree or 1-2 years of related experience in digital communications, press outreach, or political research;
• Excellent research and proofing skills;
• Passionate about elevating the American center left;
• Engaged with the national political conversation, Democratic politics, and the day-to-day news cycle;
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills to track multiple principles and policy conversations;
• Experience with social media listening and press tracking tools desired.
• Knowledgeable about influential national press and digital creators and platforms.

In the Third Way Culture, we are looking for:

• Self-starters: People who see and seize opportunities, take risks, learn from failure, and will bring a sustained passion for our mission.
• Collaborators: People who work in teams—sharing ideas, brainstorming, co-authoring products, and advancing its shared priorities.
• Creators: People who fosters divergent thinking; that aren’t afraid to take on the orthodoxies of the left or the right. Team members come up with original insights, find unique ways to look at data, and challenge their preconceptions.
• Results-oriented: People who function with an organizational commitment to clear objectives, ambitious timelines, accountability for results, and a focus on impact.
• Respectful: People who embrace the diverse perspectives of everyone and fosters the values of diversity, equity, and inclusiveness at all times.

WITHIN 1 MONTH, YOU'LL...

• Participate in Third Way’s comprehensive onboarding program. You’ll learn about all aspects of Business Operations, which includes HR, Benefits, IT, Finance, and office operations.
• Meet your Third Way Buddy, be introduced to the entire staff, and start to learn the TW’s culture.
• Learn our current processes for payroll, compliance, and labor tracking, and how you will partner with Finance and the rest of the Business Operations team on these processes.
• Participate in weekly one-on-ones with your manager to ensure you fully understand the expectations of the job.
• Attend weekly team meetings. You’ll learn about the key goals of each program, how they’re doing, what challenges they face, and how you will contribute.
• Meet with members of the Politics and Communications Teams to define the universe of moderate ideas and voices.
• Learn about the internal capacities and resources that can be leveraged to develop compelling digital content about the center left.
• Be brought up to speed on the Moderate Power Project and the goals for Mod Comms through 2026.

WITHIN 2 MONTHS, YOU'LL...

• Gain an understanding each employee’s role and their contribution to the organization.
• Attend program overview sessions to learn more about each team’s contribution to TW’s mission.
• Incorporate TW’s Style Guide and Production process into your work products.
• Participate in, at least, one of our internal Professional Development trainings or a Center for Fun activity.
• Establish a plan for monitoring, compiling, and tracking compelling moderate ideas and statements from the media, official proceedings, social media, and political commentary.
• Set up trackers and alerts to monitor for key moments, reviewing for accuracy and completeness, and flagging politically salient excerpts for the Mod Comms team.
• Based on the priorities from the Deputy Director and MPP leaders, clip, transcribe, and disseminate materials for the Mod Comms team's daily and weekly content plan.

WITHIN 3 MONTHS, YOU'LL…

• Feel a sense of comfort and familiarity with the staff, your team, and your work.
• Continue to attend weekly departmental meetings with a stronger understanding of your team’s strategic goal.
• Bring new ideas and suggestions to your weekly one-on-ones with your manager.
• Attend and participate in external functions with other members of your team.
• Complete your 90-day self-evaluation and performance review with your manager.
• Partner with your manager to establish your long-term goals for the remainder of the year.
• Implement a system to track and curate quotes from leading figures from the moderate movement for the team to promote, including major policy and political ideas.
• Produces internal documents for organizational and team leaders briefing on the most compelling examples of moderate content that we've gathered.

In addition to competitive salaries, your health and wellness is our priority. We offer a comprehensive benefits package which includes Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance; Health Reimbursement Account (HRA); and Flexible Spending Account (FSA, DCA, Parking, and Transit); Life Insurance; Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance; Retirement plan; Accrued Paid Sick and Vacation leave; Long-term Disability, Employee Assistant Program (EAP).

Third Way is committed to the health, safety, and wellness of all employees, candidates, stakeholders, and communities. To support that commitment, all current and newly hired employees must provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination. Proof of full vaccination status will be required after an offer of employment is extended and accepted. Failure to provide proof of full vaccination before the start date will result in the offer of employment being rescinded.

Third Way offers a flexible, hybrid work environment to support our employees’ healthy work-life balance. This position is based in Washington, DC, and Third Way’s in-office days are Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.

Third Way is an equal-opportunity employer committed to non-discrimination. We will consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, sexual orientation or gender identity, or any other legally protected basis, in accordance with applicable laws.