Director, Policy & Political Affairs

Location: Remote

Stand Up America is a progressive, digital-first advocacy organization with nearly 2 million grassroots members who are working to resist Donald Trump’s radical agenda, stand up to corruption, and build a more representative democracy. We’re fighting for democracy reforms at the local, state, and federal level to protect and expand voting rights, reduce the impact of big money in our politics, and end structural barriers that conservatives have built to impede progressive change. Our members have driven more than 1.7 million constituent calls to their representatives, mobilized tens of thousands of protestors, contacted tens of millions of voters, and helped pass bold democracy reforms at the state and federal levels.

We envision a democracy where:

• Every American has representation, regardless of where they live, what they look like, or how they identify.
• Racist barriers to the ballot are torn down and voting rights are expanded to ensure that voting is accessible, secure, and treated as the sacred right that it is.
• Americans from all walks of life can run for office and win based on the power of their ideas, voice, and experience—not on how much money they can raise from themselves or wealthy donors.
• Our government is responsive to the will of the American people—and will finally take bold action on the pressing issues facing our nation, from gun violence and climate change to immigration reform and racial & economic justice.

Reporting to the Managing Director, Policy & Political Affairs, the Director, Policy & Political Affairs will join the mission-driven Stand Up America team focused on demanding the democracy we deserve. This role is a great opportunity for a mid-level political or policy professional on the pathway to a more senior position. You will represent Stand Up America with coalition partners and legislative offices, expand our partnerships, and help strategize our advocacy efforts to protect our democracy and the rule of law and pass voting rights and democracy reforms at the federal, state, and local levels.

Key responsibilities:

External

• Take point on several coalitions and campaigns at the state and federal levels; closely track legislative, policy, and political developments on those issues and campaigns, and report those developments back to the Managing Director for Policy & Political Affairs
• Regularly coordinate and craft political strategy alongside teammates, organizational leadership, and organizational partners
• Build and maintain partnerships with democracy-oriented and progressive organizations at the local, state, and national level, especially with groups focused on voting rights, reducing the influence of big money in our elections, combating corruption, and building progressive political power
• Arrange, prepare for, and attend coalition meetings, meetings with organizational partners, and lobbying meetings, and report back to the Managing Director for Policy & Political Affairs
• Attend and seek out opportunities to attend conferences, plan panels, and build relationships on behalf of Stand Up America

Internal

• Help shape Stand Up America’s advocacy and strategy on key political issues, pending legislation, and ballot initiatives
• Help develop Stand Up America’s weekly, monthly, and annual political priorities, alongside teammates and organizational leadership
• Ensure the Stand Up America team understands our legislative and political goals, targets, and political strategy, including by drafting and helping deliver weekly internal presentations summarizing political updates and advocacy priorities
• Work collaboratively with the digital, communications, and other teams to meet Stand Up America’s political and organizational goals
• Maintain political calendars, flag key upcoming events and dates, and share breaking updates as needed with the Stand Up America team
• Engage during rapid-response moments to state/federal political events
• Draft short policy explainers and conduct legislative, policy, and electoral research as requested
• Apply a strong equity lens throughout all aspects of our work, ensuring our work promotes racial justice, gender equity, and progressive values

You have:

• 5-7 or more years of experience working in politics, policy, and/or law
• Understanding of state and federal legislative processes and a track record of building strong relationships within and outside of government
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• A passion for political strategy, voting rights, and democracy reform
• A good sense of humor

You are:

• Comfortable with policy details, reading legislation, political nuance, and respectful political debate
• Collaborative and a team player
• Organized and detail-oriented
• A proactive self-starter who follows through and cares about results
• A careful editor and good communicator
• A political news enthusiast
• Able to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion and maturity

Stand Up America celebrates diversity in race, ethnicity, gender, age, sexual orientation, class, ability, life experiences, and background. We’re an Equal Opportunity Employer—women, Black, Indigenous, and people of color, people with disabilities, and LGBTQ candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. Stand Up America’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion is key to our mission of building a more representative democracy and reforming a political system that has given white, wealthy Americans a louder voice and more power than Black, Indigenous, and people of color for far too long.

For more information about our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion internally and in our advocacy efforts, click here.