Director, Democracy (DCC, Communications)
Remote
Democracy – Democracy Communications Collaborative (DCC) /
Full-time /
Remote
WHO WE ARE
Third Plateau is a social impact and philanthropy consulting firm. We partner with nonprofits, philanthropists, families, and the public sector to achieve transformative, community-centered impact.
OUR PHILOSOPHY
We work with clients and communities as partners in achieving a future where people and the planet thrive – creating meaning and joy in the process. At Third Plateau, we lead with partnership, evidence, equity, and optimism for a fundamentally better world. Everything we do, internally and externally, is rooted in our four core values:
TEAM UP
We recognize that people are at the center of social change and approach our interactions with the belief that we will go further together than we can alone. We cultivate relationships and collaborations rooted in trust and shared purpose. Centering empathy, we develop deep and authentic connections with those around us. We ask for what we need and lead with generosity to provide for others.
STEP UP
We passionately rise to the challenge of co-creating a just world we have yet to see but know is possible. We courageously and boldly advocate for the health, vibrancy, and prosperity of all and advance equity for current and future generations. We embrace our work with purpose, intention, and creativity. We experiment, take calculated risks, and question the status quo in an effort to design solutions that can scale impact swiftly and broadly.
LEARN UP
We know that communities closest to the challenge are closest to the solutions, so we stay insatiably curious and lead with humility and an open mind. We actively listen, reflect, and explore with individuals from varied backgrounds, perspectives, and lived experiences to address gaps in our understanding. We push the boundaries of our thinking by asking powerful questions and integrating diverse ways of learning. We commit to continuous learning and adaptation, celebrating progress over perfection for ourselves and those around us.
LIVE UP
We believe all people are naturally creative, resourceful, and whole. We care for ourselves, each other, and our communities by finding meaning and joy in our work, practicing balance, and prioritizing wellness. We center authentic connection to help nurture a resilient, creative, and vibrant team, which is vital for fostering fulfillment in our work. We are here to improve our communities and live fully while we do it.
POSITION SUMMARY
Third Plateau manages the Democracy Communications Collaborative (DCC), which empowers pro-democracy forces across the ideological spectrum to build durable public support for liberal democracy and democratic values through communications. The Director, DCC Communications is a leadership role on the DCC project and reports to the DCC’s Executive Director.
The Director, DCC Communications, will advise, manage, and support the coordinated communications activities of DCC Partners, a network of ~100 organizations dedicated to protecting and improving American democracy. In addition, the Director will manage the day to day operations of a significant public opinion research program, and develop and implement communications products that inform stakeholders and the broader democracy community.
Top candidates will have experience in persuasion, message 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
• Provide expert guidance and support to DCC Partners and Partner-led Working Groups so that they can coordinate effective communications activities.
• Facilitate the collaborative development and widespread adoption of shared talking points and message guidance, in service of a common narrative, across our network and the broader field.
• Develop and implement regular communications products that provide strategic and tactical guidance, research, and relevant thought leadership to the field.
• Identify common needs among Partners and develop and support projects to increase the reach and effectiveness of the DCC Partner network.
• Identify common ground, build consensus, motivate collective action, and create partnerships among communications professionals in democracy field.
• Working closely with the Organizing Director, navigate the politics, personalities, and constraints of a broad and diverse coalition of organizations and stakeholders.
Research Program
• Manage the day-to-day operations of a significant ongoing public opinion research program, working with colleagues and Partners to set priorities, deploy resources, and manage vendors.
• Ensure that the research program provides timely support to Partner-led working groups, establishing decision making processes and supporting Partner needs.
• Increase field-wide strategic alignment by driving widespread adoption of the DCC’s forthcoming audience and narrative frameworks.
• Support the practical implementation of research findings by DCC Partners, interpreting results, helping create tools and guides, and socializing findings.
• Facilitate a forum for Partners to coordinate their own research programs, increasing cooperation, efficiency, data sharing.
• Support the grantmaking function of the DCC by identifying opportunities and providing expertise to the grantmaking process.
Organizational Stewardship
• 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.
• 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.
• A strong understanding of the modern American political and media environment.
• Democracy, civic engagement, politics, and related work, as well as 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 lead meetings and workshops, large and small.
• The ability to engage in limited travel (up to 15%) for client work and team retreats.
BENEFITS + PERKS
- Remote-First Approach
- Flexible & Generous Time Off
- 100% employer-paid options for medical, dental, and vision coverage for you, with employer contributions toward dependent coverage
- Employer-paid short- and long-term disability and life insurance
- Employer contribution of up to $825 to your Health Savings Account
- Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA, DCFSA and Commuter)
- Initial home office stipend of $550, with $250 provided annually thereafter
- $110/monthly cell phone and home internet stipend
- 13 weeks paid parental and medical leave
- Annual year-end bonus based on both company performance and individual performance
- $500 annually to invest in your mental, emotional, and physical well-being
- Access to curated learning opportunities and team-based growth experiences to support the professional development of our team
$100,000 - $135,000 a year
A compensation committee will meet to discuss potential starting salary within the band by weighing the candidate's expected contribution in terms of previous experience and expertise against current Third Plateau employees. We commit to sharing the reasoning used to determine starting salary with you. The expectation is not for new team members to be hired with a starting salary at the top of the band, but to have a salary that adequately compensates experience and expertise while countering pay inequality and upholding internal parity.
Application deadline: 5:00 pm PT, June 16, 2025
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. If you believe 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 taking the next step in your career, we would be glad to have you on our radar.
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 homogeneous group in terms of demographics or experience. You can read more about our commitment to Equity & Belonging here. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds. Third Plateau is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to their race, color, age, religious creed, sexual orientation, or other personal characteristics.
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