Director, Strategic Initiatives
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
