DIRECTOR, DEMOCRACY (DCC, Communications)

POSITION OVERVIEW

• Salary Range (Exempt): $100,000 - $135,000
• Description: Performs the duties of a director largely independently (i.e., when thinking through Your experience and expertise permit you to consistently lead core responsibilities, own and guide work that is required of your role, and be very comfortable with processes and subject matter associated with the role, bringing in supervisors/advisors intentionally as needed.)
• Application Deadline: For priority consideration apply by December 6, 2024.

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 (60%)
• 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 (20%)
• 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 (20%) 
• 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.

HOW TO APPLY

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.1 If you believe that 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 take the next step in your career path, we will be glad to have you on our radar.

If are you interested in applying, please take some time to review Who We Are and What We Do, and Our Commitment to DEI.

After learning about us, submit your cover letter and resume to Lisa Long via email at Lisa@talentepartners.com with the subject line:

• Position Title - Application

In the email, attach your resume, cover letter, and responses to the prompts below in the following format:

• First Name Last Name – Cover Letter.pdf or .doc
• First Name Last Name – Resume.pdf or .doc
• First Name Last Name – Prompt.pdf or .doc

Please detail in your prompt responses the following:

1. Please share what skills and experiences of yours make you uniquely qualified to enhance the Third Plateau team and our work through this position.
2. How will the different pieces of your identity contribute to this team and work? Please share as much detail as you feel comfortable sharing to help us create a team that represents a diverse set of identities.

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 homogenous group in terms of demographics or experience. You can read more about our commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) here. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds to apply. Third Plateau is committed to providing equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to their race, color, age, religious creed, sexual orientation, or other personal characteristics.