Director, Tax Policy
Leads Roosevelt's tax policy work, conducting research, writing reports/briefs/op-eds, and engaging with fellows and experts to develop impactful research
Develops the tax policy research agenda, collaborating with teams across the organization, and serves as Roosevelt's primary tax and budget policy expert
Manages a team of fellows, overseeing research product development, ensuring quality and timeliness, and partnering with development to secure funding
About the Company
The Roosevelt Institute takes on today’s greatest public policy challenges by advancing bold, cutting-edge research and policy ideas. We believe that the future of the American economy and our democracy depends on a new way of thinking about markets and government—and have successfully engaged with policymakers and the media to inform and shape public debate. Too few people hold too much economic and political power today, and we know that a stronger society is possible if we rectify this imbalance between private actors and the public. With a commitment to transforming corporations, restructuring markets, reviving democratic institutions, and reimagining the role of government, our work moves our nation toward a more resilient, equitable, and green future.
The Roosevelt Institute is a think tank, a student network, and the nonprofit partner to the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum that, together, are learning from the past and working to redefine our collective future. Focusing on corporate and public power, labor and wages, and the economics of race and gender inequality, the Roosevelt Institute unifies experts, invests in young leaders, and advances progressive policies that bring the legacy of Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt into the 21st century.
About the Job
The Roosevelt Institute is hiring a Director, Tax Policy and Analysis to lead the organization’s work to build a more progressive tax code that rebalances power in our economy and democracy. The Director’s work will combine long-range strategy development, research and writing, spokesperson work, and day-to-day management. Their time will be divided roughly as follows: 40 percent personal research and writing; 30 percent managing fellows and contract authors; 20 percent promoting work of program; 10 percent administrative and management tasks (for example, supporting the development team). Included in the time devoted to research and writing and fellows management may be supporting research associates and program managers.
Reporting to the Principal Economist, the Director will partner with team members and leaders across the organization to develop, refine, and execute program strategy. The Director will also serve as Roosevelt’s primary subject matter expert on tax and budget policy—driving strategy, serving as an internal resource for colleagues, and representing Roosevelt in the media, among advocacy groups, with funders, and with elected officials. Candidates with subject expertise in tax law, budget-focused legislation, public economics, or any combination of the three are encouraged to apply.
Responsibilities
Research and Writing:
Research and author reports and issue briefs as well as other products, including blog posts, articles, and op-eds
Engage with fellows, external partners, and outside experts in developing research
Program Strategy and Leadership:
Working with the Principal Economist and in conjunction with the government relations, development, and communications teams, develop a research agenda on tax policy, including identifying areas for new long-range thought leadership as well as for near-term policy change
Lead and help build a team of part-time fellows and contract experts, aligning them around program goals, overseeing research product development, and ensuring that the whole of the program’s work and products is greater than the sum of its parts
Partner with the Think Tank Director to guide research by junior staff in support of program goals
Where appropriate, represent the organization’s program work with press, government officials, funders, and allied organizations
Manage and review the research and writing of fellows, contractors, and staff to ensure quality and rigor across all projects as well as to assess the timeliness of projects as they relate to near-term opportunities and current events
Partner with the development team to articulate clear goals, strategies, and deliverables for proposals to support program work and to track and report out on progress
Management:
Oversee product pipeline for program area and ensure all products meet the highest research standards, are positioned to drive strategic outcomes, and are delivered on time
Qualifications
Advanced degree in law, economics, or other related degree strongly preferred
10 years of experience in tax and budget program strategies, policies, and analysis
Exceptional writing, editing, and communications skills
Experience writing and/or communicating about fiscal policy to a wide audience
Deep knowledge of at least one subfield and familiarity with the subfields of tax law, legislative budget process, public and/or macroeconomic policy
Demonstrated success managing researchers across topics—including balancing the needs of multiple stakeholders and priorities (e.g., academic and research experts, advocacy and media goals) and ensuring timely delivery of projects
Experience collaborating with teams across an organization to develop and execute program strategies, as well as troubleshooting and course-correcting as needed
Passion for the Roosevelt Institute’s mission and paradigm-focused theory of change
Director, Strategic Initiatives
Develops gov relations and comms strategies for the Roosevelt Institute, collaborating with subject matter experts to create relevant written products and events
Serves as a liaison between the think tank and external relations team, driving understanding of research and facilitating its deployment to policymakers
Manages the Fireside Stacks newsletter, represents the Institute to media and stakeholders, authors strategic materials, and contributes to fundraising efforts
About the Company
The Roosevelt Institute takes on today’s greatest public policy challenges by advancing bold, cutting-edge research and policy ideas. We believe that the future of the American economy and our democracy depends on a new way of thinking about markets and government—and have successfully engaged with policymakers and the media to inform and shape public debate. Too few people hold too much economic and political power today, and we know that a stronger society is possible if we rectify this imbalance between private actors and the public. With a commitment to transforming corporations, restructuring markets, reviving democratic institutions, and reimagining the role of government, our work moves our nation toward a more resilient, equitable, and green future.
The Roosevelt Institute is a think tank, a student network, and the nonprofit partner to the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum that, together, are learning from the past and working to redefine our collective future. Focusing on corporate and public power, labor and wages, and the economics of race and gender inequality, the Roosevelt Institute unifies experts, invests in young leaders, and advances progressive policies that bring the legacy of Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt into the 21st century.
About the Job
The Roosevelt Institute is hiring a Director, Strategic Initiatives to help lead government relations (GR) and communications strategy from within the think tank. The Director, Strategic Initiatives will work closely with subject-area experts to help them develop work plans that are responsive to changing political conditions, identify and take advantage of policy windows, and defend progressive policy priorities. They will serve as an essential connector between the think tank and Roosevelt’s external relations team.
Reporting to the Senior Vice President, Think Tank, the Director’s work will combine long-range strategy development, spokesperson work, writing, and occasional research. They will support the strategic translation and positioning of think tank work for different audiences, especially policymakers, through fact sheets, op-eds, and other written products. Additionally, they will be responsible for managing Roosevelt’s weekly c4 newsletter, Fireside Stacks, which offers weekly commentary on progressive politics, policy, and economics.
Responsibilities
Strategy:
Work with subject matter experts in the think tank to develop strategy to ensure relevance of written products and events for GR purposes
Serve as liaison between think tank and external relations team (currently consisting of GR and communications/media) to drive internal understanding of products, strategic releases, and external deployments of products
Plan policy events and convenings
Contribute to the efforts of Roosevelt Forward, Roosevelt Institute’s sister organization, as needed
External Engagement:
Project manage and author Roosevelt Forward’s weekly newsletter, Fireside Stacks
Represent the team’s research and ideas to the media and other stakeholders by presenting at press briefings, engaging lawmakers, speaking with reporters, and engaging in conversations on social media
Partner with the development team to write funder pitches; make grant management plans, including outcomes and deliverables; and report on grants
On occasion, represent the think tank in person and virtually at convenings of funders and other thought partners
Research and Writing:
Author fact sheets and other products translating think tank reports and briefs for GR and communications audiences
Ghost-write content for organization leaders (such as the CEO, VP Think Tank, and others) and fellows
Opportunities to research and author or co-author strategic policy reports, research papers, op-eds, articles, presentations, and other products, with the opportunity to develop an area of specialization while also working across issue areas
Research and develop strategy around exploratory lines of work
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree strongly preferred
Minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in government or advocacy with a focus on economics or political economy
Demonstrated understanding of federal policymaking processes and how research is deployed in those processes
Demonstrated experience setting and implementing campaign strategy
Persuasive commitment to the Rooseveltian worldview and an understanding of what it means to do paradigm-shifting policy work
Top-notch written and verbal communication skills; a proven track record of writing clear, structured, and persuasive communications (e.g., reports, factsheets, talking points, policy memos, and briefs) with excellent attention to detail
Experience collaborating with teams across an organization to develop and execute program strategies, as well as troubleshooting and course-correcting as needed