Political Director
Washington, DC or Remote /
Political – Political /
/ Hybrid
Priorities USA is a progressive advocacy organization focused on promoting the Biden-Harris agenda, ensuring Democratic victories in 2024, and supporting and improving the progressive movements’ use of digital advertising. We believe in an economy that provides real opportunity for all families to get ahead, and to protect the fundamental, democratic ideal of equality for all Americans – regardless of race, religion, gender or sexual orientation. We’re looking for someone who shares this vision, understands the Independent-side landscape, and wants to empower our partners to run the best program possible.
As Priorities’ Political Director, you will be responsible for directing Priorities engagement with allied organizations. You will develop and execute a strategy to spread adoption of our theories of the case, utilizing our research, digital expertise and resources. You will oversee investments in training to build up diverse talent in the movement. And, you will collaborate with our media staff to reduce duplication and identify opportunities for partnership.
Overall Responsibilities:
- Develop, implement and evaluate Priorities USA's strategy for engaging with allied organizations, in coordination with leadership and other Priorities USA departments.
- Hire and/or manage 1-3 staff to support Priorities external programming.
- Report to the Deputy Executive Director for Political and serve as liaison to senior staff to ensure the effective coordination of the Political Departments’ initiatives within Priorities’ other core programs.
- Administer the Political Department’s budgeting across grants, training, events, travel, etc.
Partnerships & Coordination:
- Build on relationships with allies, including labor unions, progressive groups, and other IE organizations to amplify progressive strength while representing Priorities USA’s interests.
- Maintain a portfolio of partners and cultivate prospective partners with an emphasis on strengthening the partnership continuum from engagement to coordination to resource (content, research, storytellers) sharing to joint programming. Work with internal stakeholders to identify opportunities for partnership and balance partner and Priorities interests.
- Manage the coordination and assessment of political tables, including participating in existing state and national tables, and arranging new ones as necessary.
- Coordinate digital paid media plans with progressive allies spending in battleground states to ensure coverage while minimizing overlaps in program plans.
- Serve as a Priorities' representative with coalition partners, and at meetings and speaking engagements.
Training & Fellowships:
- Advance and improve the use of digital advertising by Democratic campaigns and progressive organizations.
- Manage the support of allied organizations and individuals on digital advertising, and advise on their digital programs through one-on-one and “office hours” meetings.
- Ensure Priorities’ efforts to diversify and upskill the pool of digital advertising practitioners by identifying potential digital advertising training candidates (groups and individuals) through targeted outreach to state and local organizations.
- Work with internal and external stakeholders to execute a comprehensive training curriculum that is adapted to reflect the current needs of progressive groups and the media landscape.
- Convene large-scale, in-person or virtual events on best practices in political campaigns, including on digital advertising, messaging and research.
- Oversee a fellowship program that recruits a diverse set of fellows to build the digital bench via hands-on learning. Ensure the fellows are meaningfully contributing to and learning from Priorities’ activities like paid media, analytics and communications.
Qualifications:
- 5-7 years of experience working on political campaigns or in progressive advocacy. You understand the fundamentals of persuasion and mobilization, how to win elections, how campaign organizations are structured and the key decision points. The ideal candidate will have held a senior role on a federal campaign or at campaign-style organization.
- 2+ year managing personnel. A proven ability to manage teams, support strong morale, and develop staff.
- 2+ years of experience with digital advertising. You are familiar with the tools/tech available and how the industry has changed and where it’s going.
- Experience communicating with diverse groups, working with a multicultural workforce, and bringing a sensitivity and appreciation of cultural differences.
- A strong network of political strategists and relationships with leaders of IE groups. The ideal candidate will have existing connections with national and battleground-state organizations.
- Exceptional attention to detail. You notice when numbers don’t add up, or fonts don’t match.
- A passion for stunning visualizations. You like making clear, clean and beautiful materials.
- Expert at prioritizing work and resources across engagements based on short- and long-term needs.
- Well-organized. You think in spreadsheets, never lose track of to-dos and take careful notes.
- Experience managing consultants. You know when a project should be done internally versus outsourced to a vendor.
Compensation & Benefits
This position will have the option of being remote or working out of Washington, DC where we have an office, with occasional travel as needed. We project the salary range to be $140,000-$175,000, but will be tailored to experience. Priorities USA’s competitive benefits package includes health care, paid holidays and vacation.
How to Apply
People of color, women, people with disabilities, and veterans are strongly encouraged to apply. If you need an accommodation for a disability to apply to this position, please let us know by emailing info@priorities.org.
Applications will be accepted until the position is filled; however, preference will be given to applications received by February 28. Applicants should submit a resume; no cover letter is needed. The hiring process for selected candidates will consist of a phone screen, at-home exercise (compensated), set of final round interviews, reference checks, and an applicant vet. Most processes will occur over 3-4 weeks with a target start date in March or April.
