Program Manager, NY

We are looking for a collaborative and highly organized Program Manager to join the Common Cause team in New York. In this role, you will lead and implement state programmatic efforts, conduct detailed research and policy analysis, manage relationships with key stakeholders, and coordinate advocacy activities to support our programmatic agenda. You will play a key part in advancing our mission to protect democracy and ensure the fair and equitable representation of all communities. 

This is a full-time role reporting to the Executive Director, New York and is based in New York, with an expectation to work in-person in New York City at least one day per week, and to travel around the state up to five times per month. We hope our new Program Manager will start in March. 

Responsibilities

Manage state programmatic work and research, and campaigns 

- Lead policy research, analysis, and the identification of opportunities for policy proposals to advance Common Cause’s state goals 

- Draft, edit, and disseminate policy briefs, reports, and advocacy materials to inform and engage decision-makers and stakeholders 

- Monitor state and local legislative developments, track and analyze relevant bills, assist in drafting bills for introduction or bill amendments, and provide strategic guidance to ensure timely responses to policy opportunities and threats 

- Lead the execution of statewide advocacy campaigns 

- Support coalition work, including managing working groups or project groups within coalitions, to include organizing meetings, coordinating actions, and ensuring effective communication among coalition members 

- Oversee election protection program, ensuring effective communication and coordination of outreach efforts to safeguard voting rights and the electoral process 

- Execute lobbying efforts for designated legislation, including drafting, managing and presenting testimony, public comment, and other advocacy tools

- Provide support with lobbying reporting, including preparing lobbying disclosure reports

Outreach and stakeholder engagement 

- Build and maintain strong relationships with community organizations, partners, and members to strengthen Common Cause’s network and extend our outreach 

- In collaboration with the Executive Director and other members of staff, execute outreach campaigns to educate the public on priority issues and encourage active participation in advocacy efforts 

- Represent Common Cause at community events and coalition meetings to strengthen public awareness and mobilize support 

- Coordinate digital and social media campaigns to engage members and stakeholders, ensuring messaging aligns with Common Cause’s values and goals 

Supervise temporary staff and interns 

- Manage temporary staff 

- Recruit, train, coordinate and mentor interns and volunteers  

Provide fundraising and advisory board support  

- Support fundraising efforts, including writing grants, cultivating donor relationships, and managing reporting requirements 

- Assist with administrative tasks related to the state advisory board, including organizing meetings, preparing materials, and facilitating effective board engagement 

Perform administrative and other duties 

- Complete administrative tasks as needed 

- Perform other duties as assigned 

• A strong commitment to Common Cause’s nonpartisan mission and to advancing racial equity through our national agenda
• A commitment to equity in the goals of your work and in how you work with others 
• Demonstrated knowledge of the unique aspects of New York’s political dynamic 
• Knowledge of and strong interest in current statewide issues, including voting rights, redistricting, campaign finance reform, disinformation, ethics, etc.
• Experience working on public interest advocacy campaigns in a non-profit setting, especially campaigns centered in racial equity
• Ability to quickly build rapport, trust, and credibility with multiple stakeholders with diverse interests, and a track record of working collaboratively with others 
• Ability to implement assigned tasks to support strategic plans, and a resourceful approach to solve problems
• Ability to manage and meet deadlines for multiple short- and long-term priorities at once, with high attention to detail; strong organization skills, and the ability to manage your time independently 
• Ability to compel action through both written and verbal communication, including distilling complex concepts for a broad audience, and to differentiate communications as needed for various audiences
• Understanding of the importance of change management in organizational settings
• Openness to feedback and awareness of your own strengths and areas for growth    
• Familiarity with office productivity tools including Microsoft Office, Slack, and Zoom, as well as qualitative and quantitative research tools (e.g. Excel) 

• Experience conducting or designing quantitative and qualitative campaign research and policy analysis
• Experience writing reports, briefings, advocacy documents, and/or white papers
• Experience with legislative processes, in a government setting, or with managing coalitions or groups that represent stakeholders with diverse interests to achieve a goal
• Ability to work in-person with other staff in New York City at least one day per week
• Ability to travel around the state up to five times per month, and to travel within the US 1-2 times per year for team and/or all staff retreats
• Per our nonpartisan policy, Common Cause staff members may not currently be in elected office (or running for office); on the Steering Committee or Finance Committee for any political candidate; or affiliated with the leadership of a political party

• This position is included in a union-represented collective bargaining unit and specific employment terms and conditions are subject to collective bargaining negotiations.
• Common Cause is unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time; please note that if hired, you will be asked to produce documentation for authorization to work in the US. 

Common Cause is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applicants of any race, creed, color, religion, ethnicity, national origin, income class, political affiliation, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, veteran status, or marital status, as well as applicants who have been previously incarcerated.

Common Cause (501(c)(4)) and Common Cause Education Fund (501(c)(3)) are nonpartisan, nonprofit grassroots affiliate organizations dedicated to upholding the core values of American democracy. We work to create an open, honest, and accountable government that serves the public interest; promote equal rights, opportunity, and representation for all; and empower all people to make their voices heard in the political process.  

Founded in 1970 and headquartered in Washington, DC, Common Cause has more than 1.5 million members and supporters living in every congressional district in the United States, and offices in 23 states around the country.