Policy Director

Policy Director (Election Protection, Technology Reform, and Money in Politics)

Full-Time (40 hours per week, full benefits)

Reports to: Vice President of Advocacy

Salary Grade: Director

Salary Range: $110,000-$130,000

Location: Washington, DC Preferred (hybrid schedule) or Northeast Considered

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Position:

We’re looking for a seasoned leader to spearhead Issue One’s election protection work, drive money-in-politics reform, and oversee expert team members on technology reform. While experience across these areas is valuable, we need a seasoned expert in election protection—someone with deep expertise who can lead the conversation and shape policy. The Policy Director will manage the policy team and two direct reports, serving as the organization’s key policy hub. This team develops policy goals, provides expert analysis, builds relationships with key partners, and supports advocacy and legislative efforts through research, memo writing, bill drafting, legal analysis, and more.

The Policy Director will manage our integrated strategy across three key areas:

• Election Protection: Lead efforts to support election officials, strengthen election infrastructure, secure adequate federal funding for election administration, and develop creative longer-term policy solutions to enhance the health and well-being of our election system and democracy.
• Technology Reform: Oversee our technology reform policy work, ensuring coordination between policy development, advocacy, and legislative strategies.
• Money-in-Politics Reform: Drive our strategy to advance bipartisan solutions for campaign finance reform and increased transparency.

The ideal candidate will bring deep policy expertise, strong coalition-building skills, and the ability to work effectively across the political spectrum. This role requires a leader who can toggle between long-term strategic initiatives and rapid response needs while focusing on concrete outcomes that strengthen democratic institutions.

The Policy Director will manage complex projects, build relationships with key stakeholders, and help shape the organization’s strategic response to emerging challenges. They will work closely with the Legislative and Advocacy teams and manage a team that currently includes a policy manager and associate.

Responsibilities:

• Develop and lead long-term goals and strategies for Issue One’s Election Protection portfolio, serving as the primary external voice on election issues beyond Capitol Hill.
• Oversee the policy team and guide its contributions to setting policy goals, analyzing complex issues, and maintaining relationships with key organizations, think tanks, and experts.
• Help drive Issue One’s money in politics programmatic efforts while leveraging expertise within the organization to develop new creative policy solutions to reduce the influence of money in our political system.
• Represent Issue One as an expert across these focus areas with the executive branch, Congress, media, and external partners.
• Collaborate closely with the legislative team to develop and execute bipartisan legislative strategies.
• Coordinate and support subject matter experts to deliver timely analysis and recommendations to inform all advocacy and legislative efforts.
• Work with development colleagues to support fundraising, including contributing to proposals and participating in donor and partner meetings.
• Manage budgets and resources across these program areas.
• Foster cross-department collaboration with communications, research, advocacy, and legislative teams to ensure alignment and impact.

Qualifications

• Minimum of five years of relevant experience, including leading large-scale advocacy, public policy, or communications campaigns.
• Significant combination of political, legislative, issue advocacy, and Capitol Hill experience.
• Experience building relationships and working across party lines.
• Proven management skills, including personnel and project management.
• Demonstrated success working with external partners, coalitions, and diverse stakeholders.
• Experience in fundraising or supporting development work a plus.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Deep policy expertise in election protection is required, with strong knowledge in money-in-politics reform highly preferred. Familiarity with technology reform is a bonus. An individual with broader democracy reform expertise will also be considered.
• Strong understanding of legislative processes and the ability to inform and shape policy goals.
• Excellent writing, editing, and oral communication skills.
• Ability to synthesize complex information for a variety of audiences.
• Strong judgment, adaptability, and strategic thinking.
• Ability to balance long-term strategy with rapid response needs.
• Experience centering gender equity and racial justice in major projects.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Self-motivated with a professional approach to leadership and collaboration.

Work Coordination and Supervision

• The Director reports directly to the VP of Advocacy. As a high-level position, the Director is expected to be independent and self-managed.
• Manages two direct reports and leads the policy team, which includes overseeing staff who focus on election protection, money-in-politics reform, and technology reform.
• Models inclusive leadership and adheres to standard management practices, including clear delegation and accountability structures.
• Creates staffing and decision-making plans in advance of any extended absences to ensure continuity and support.

Location

This full-time role is based in or around Washington, DC, or the Northeast. This job requires occasional travel throughout the United States, including travel to DC multiple times a month if not local. The Director must also work on-site in our DC office twice weekly (Tuesday and Wednesday) if they reside in the DMV area.

Benefits

Issue One has developed a comprehensive benefits package that invests in our staff to improve their health and promote a solid work-life balance.

• All full-time employees are eligible for a platinum health plan with 100% of the premium paid by Issue One. In addition, the organization covers 75% of the premium for all spouses and dependents of IO staff.
• Staff receives more than 50 paid days off annually, including holidays, vacation, personal time, and office-wide closures.
• Issue One provides reimbursements and stipends for internet and commuting and promotes a hybrid work environment that allows for working from home but establishes regular in-person office opportunities twice a week.
• Issue One offers wellness reimbursements and student loan assistance. In addition, all staff are encouraged to participate in professional development throughout the year, and the organization hosts several opportunities for fun and fellowship.

Physical Demands

• Most work is done in an office-like environment, completing projects at a desk for extended periods and working with a computer.
• The employee may sometimes have to lift, push, and/or carry items above ten (10) pounds.
• The Director may need to move and/or stand for extended periods, especially when on Capitol Hill.
• Reasonable accommodation can be made to enable people with disabilities to perform the described essential functions of the job.

Tentative Recruitment Timeline

• March 26- April 4: The position is posted, and resumes are collected
• April 7-9: Resumes are screened and top candidates are identified for interviews.
• April 10-11: First-round panel interviews take place.
• April 14-16: Second-round panel interviews with finalists take place.
• April 17: Preferred candidate named and the role offered (contingent on a background check and verification of all educational credentials).
• May 1: New candidate begins (flexible start date)

Special Note: While our organizations will do their best to follow the above timeline, there are instances where the selection process is shortened or delayed due to circumstances beyond our control. The organizations will do their best to update all selected candidates on any changes to the timeline. In addition, while resumes may be submitted after April 4, there’s no guarantee they will be screened for a potential interview.

DEI Philosophy and Self-ID Questionnaire

Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) drive everything we do. We celebrate each individual's unique perspectives and experiences to our team. Your voice matters to us, and we're committed to creating an environment where everyone feels valued and respected.

As part of our ongoing DEI efforts, we invite all applicants to complete our self-identification questionnaire voluntarily. Rest assured, your responses are confidential and have no impact on your job application. This survey helps us better understand our diverse community, ensuring everyone has equal success opportunities.

Due to the volume of applications, we will, unfortunately, be unable to acknowledge receipt of all applications. No phone calls, please.

Issue One is committed to the principles of equal employment. We are committed to complying with all federal, state, and local laws providing equal employment opportunities and all other employment laws and regulations. We intend to maintain a work environment that is free of harassment, discrimination, or retaliation because of age, race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, sexual orientation (including transgender status, gender identity or expression), pregnancy (including childbirth, lactation, and related medical conditions), reproductive health decisions, marital status, personal appearance, matriculation, political affiliation, credit information, employment status, physical or mental disability, genetic information (including testing and characteristics), veteran status, uniformed service member status, status as a victim or family member of a victim of domestic violence, a sexual offense, or stalking, homeless status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local laws. Issue One is dedicated to the fulfillment of this policy in regard to all aspects of employment, including, but not limited to, recruiting, hiring, placement, transfer, training, promotion, rates of pay, fringe benefits, and other compensation, the application of disability and/or temporary disability policies, termination, and all other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment.