Description

Democracy Revival Center, a project of Goodnation Foundation, is hiring a Research Director to help build out and lead core components of the organization’s new Research program. This role will synthesize existing research and provide strategic support to an expanding network of aligned leaders and organizations working to build and execute campaigns that can advance structural changes to our democratic system. 

We expect one core responsibility to entail developing and leading a portfolio on electoral system changes and multi-party systems. (Applicants need not already possess expertise on the subject, but should be willing to learn!) However, candidates should expect to regularly contribute to the program’s other research needs as well; some examples might include conducting research on alternative political systems abroad, Senate malapportionment, or structural reform processes at the state/local levels.  

The right candidate will likely prove a high-functioning generalist—more of a synthesist and translator than an original researcher. And they will ideally already possess a relevant professional network, for example within the labor or economic justice movements. 

Position Type: 

This role is employed by Goodnation Foundation, fiscal sponsor of Democracy Revival Center.

Remote in the U.S.

Full-time (40 hours/week), exempt, permanent employee; flexible schedule within standard business hours. 

This role reports to the Vice President for Research.

Organizational Overview

The Democracy Revival Center, a project of Goodnation Foundation, is dedicated to fixing the cracks in the foundation of our political system. We build and advance a progressive, pro-democracy framework to establish a new understanding of how our political system is contributing to the decline of our democracy–and how it could be revived. We develop and support the next generation of leaders and bring them into the fight for a more modern, democratic, representative political system. We collaborate with key partners, leaders, and thinkers to promote new ideas about how to achieve it. And we support the formation of new social movement organizations and pro-democracy campaigns to make a more modern, democratic, representative political system a reality.

Key Responsibilities of the Director of Research

Research, Analysis, and Translation  

Deploy expertise in, or develop expertise about, electoral systems and multipartyism—as well as other new areas of research or bodies of knowledge 
Synthesize research from a range of disciplines to deepen and expand our analysis of the ways the basic structure of the political system has exacerbated the democratic crisis
Translate this research and analysis into clear, engaging materials for use with a wide range of audiences 

Strategic Campaign Research 

Help develop plans and conduct research to support campaigns, across different movement traditions, from ideation to development to execution 

Strategic Partnerships 

Hold relationships and lead shared programming with core organizational partners, with a particular focus on electoral system changes 

Requirements

Required Experience and Skills 

Excellent writing skills, with the ability to translate complex ideas and quantitative analyses into actionable strategies
Experience managing campaigns, projects, or initiatives
8+ years professional experience, including some experience conducting or leading campaign research, for example, policy, legal, financial, or related research for unions, community organizations, or other partners. Candidates with relevant additional experience may be eligible for a “Senior Director” title. 

Qualities Needed 

• Openness to the range of campaign strategies and organizing practices that make up progressive ecosystems.
• A generative co-collaborator excited to devise and pitch new projects.  
• Commitment to DRC’s long-term strategy development.
• Comfort working in a fast-growing, early-stage organization.

Nice-to-Haves

You don’t have to meet all these requirements but these are all big pluses!

• Existing professional network within relevant constituencies (e.g. the labor movement, state and local power-building organizations)
• Interest and experience in engaging with academic research in the service of movement goals
• Background in labor or workers rights movements—or other experience approaching policy and campaign strategy development through a materialist lens. 

Location, Travel, and Schedule Requirements

• Open to Remote within the United States
• Requires travel up to twice per quarter
• Occasional weekends and evenings

Compensation 

We use salary bands to support equity and transparency across the organization. Salary bands reflect the long-term growth potential for a role. We typically start new hires toward the lower end of the band to allow for raises over time as they settle into the position and expand their scope.

Director Salary Band: $120,000-$145,000. Expected hiring range: $120,000-$130,000.

Benefits

• We contribute generously toward medical, dental, and vision insurance premiums. This covers the full cost of the employee’s coverage and most of the cost for family members, depending on the plan selected.
• 401(k) match
• Flexible time off including vacation, sick time, holidays, and end-of-year office closure
• Parental leave
• Professional development budget
• Technology and office set-up stipend
• Life and disability insurances

To Apply:

Please submit a resume and, in lieu of a traditional cover letter, 150-250 words explaining your interest in the role to info@demrevival.org with the subject line “ Director of Research – [Your Name].” We anticipate reviewing a first batch of applications by Feb. 25, though will continue accepting applications on a rolling basis as needed.

Equal Opportunity Employer

We are an equal opportunity employer committed to building a team that reflects the diversity of our movement. We welcome and strongly encourage applications from Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color; women; immigrants; LGBTQ+ people; people living with disabilities; and members of other historically marginalized communities. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, or any other protected status, and we actively work to challenge bias and inequity in our hiring practices.