Protect Democracy

Protect Democracy seeks a Finance Operations Specialist to join our small, highly collaborative Finance team. In this role, you will manage the financial lifecycle of organizational spending, from budget and contract through purchase order, invoice, payment, and financial reporting. This is an excellent opportunity for a finance operations professional who enjoys owning complex cross-functional processes, understands how individual transactions connect to budgets and financial reporting, and is motivated by building systems that help an organization operate effectively. Protect Democracy was formed with an urgent and explicit mission: to prevent our democracy from declining into a more authoritarian form of government. We anchor all of our work in service of our mission: it is the foundation of our team, be it litigation, advocacy, or ensuring that our organization has the secure financial operations to continue to meet the urgency of the moment. This is a hands-on role with meaningful ownership. You will manage cross-functional financial workflows and participate in day-to-day transaction processing, partnering closely with Accounting, Legal/Compliance, People Operations, and teams across Protect Democracy. You should be interested in the full financial story behind a transaction—not simply whether an invoice can be paid, but what commitment it relates to, where it belongs in the budget, whether appropriate approvals and documentation are in place, and how it should ultimately appear in our financial reporting.  You can work remotely from nearly any location in the United States.* We strongly encourage candidates from diverse backgrounds and from across the political and ideological spectrum to apply. A commitment to our mission and cross-ideological strategy for defending our democracy is essential. The priority deadline to apply for this role is October 15, 2026; we will review applications received after that date on a rolling basis.  Please note that candidates who reach the final hiring stage will be required to satisfactorily complete a pre-offer background check.** The Finance Operations Specialist will: Own significant portions of Protect Democracy's contract-to-payment lifecycle , coordinating cross-functional workflows from Finance review and contract execution through vendor setup, purchase orders, invoice review, payment, renewal, and closeout; Develop strong working knowledge of organizational, team, and project budgets and spending commitments , using that context to review proposed spending, maintain accurate PO and commitment records, monitor contract utilization and upcoming actions, and identify issues requiring resolution; Review and process invoices, reimbursements, and card transactions while protecting the integrity of financial data , ensuring appropriate documentation, approvals, coding, policy compliance, and connection to underlying contracts, POs, and budgets; Project-manage Finance Operations initiatives , coordinating stakeholders, timelines, decisions, dependencies, and execution through completion; Design and continuously improve Finance systems, workflows, and controls , including Ramp procurement/contract functionality, Finance Help Desk processes, integrations, automations, and procedures; Serve as a knowledgeable Finance partner to staff and vendors , independently resolving routine and moderately complex issues and exercising judgment about when matters require escalation; Support budgeting, forecasting, and financial analysis by maintaining reliable committed-spend information, identifying potential variances, and helping connect operational spending activity to the broader financial picture; Contribute to broader Finance priorities and projects , including year-end, audit, reporting, systems implementation, and other cross-functional work as needed. The ideal candidate brings: Approximately 4–7 years of relevant professional experience in finance operations, accounting operations, procurement, accounts payable, or a related field, including experience across multiple stages of the procure-to-pay or contract-to-payment lifecycle; Demonstrated experience independently owning processes or workstreams and project-managing cross-functional work across financial entities involving multiple stakeholders, deadlines, dependencies, and deliverables; Working knowledge of accounting, budgets, and financial reporting , including the ability to understand how operational transactions and individual spending decisions affect the general ledger and broader financial plans; Sound judgment and problem-solving ability , including experience identifying discrepancies, resolving moderately complex operational issues independently, and escalating appropriately; Strong organizational, communication, and relationship-management skills , with the ability to manage substantial transaction/workflow volume and competing priorities without losing sight of the larger financial context; A proactive, systems-oriented approach , with demonstrated interest in improving processes, not simply maintaining them as they currently exist; A deep commitment to Protect Democracy's mission. Preferred, but not required: Experience with nonprofit, legal, advocacy, project- or grant-based financial structures; Familiarity with Sage Intacct, Ramp, or comparable financial/procurement systems. Compensation The starting salary range for this role is $84,300 - $94,000 (FLSA Exempt) commensurate with the candidate’s relevant experience, capabilities, and skills, and in alignment with internal equity. 

Protect Democracy seeks several experienced, mission-driven Paralegal & Litigation Specialists . For these particular roles, we are only considering candidates with three or more years of federal filing experience in civil litigation. By joining  Protect Democracy as a Paralegal & Litigation Specialist, you’ll support multi-faceted litigation and legal advocacy projects focused on preventing authoritarianism, including work aimed at: Pushing back against unlawful executive actions and egregious administrative overreach; Defending advocates, journalists, and institutions from government censorship or unlawful discrimination; and/or Challenging illegal voter purges, voter intimidation by law enforcement, and unauthorized compilation of voter data. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced paralegal who wishes to hone their skills in all stages of impact litigation, case management, writing and research, and communications—over time, developing expertise in one or more area(s) of our legal work. An ideal candidate for this role brings a flexible, action-oriented mindset; excellent writing, research, and communication skills with a keen eye for detail; and a collaborative, team-oriented approach. We strongly encourage candidates from diverse backgrounds and from across the political and ideological spectrum to apply. A commitment to our mission and cross-ideological strategy for defending our democracy is essential. The priority deadline to apply for this role is October 15, 2026; we will review applications received after that date on a rolling basis.  You can work remotely from nearly any location in the United States*; travel is required and may, at times, be for extended periods. As Paralegal & Litigation Specialist, your responsibilities are to: Support litigation by: Managing and organizing case files and documents, Preparing and finalizing legal memos and pleadings, Coordinating court filings, and Help lead the discovery process; Conduct research, synthesize findings, and draft related memoranda, reports, and other communications; Cite-check and Bluebook, fact-check, proofread, and assist with drafting court filings, letters, and other public-facing documents; Engage professionally with clients, opposing counsel, partner organizations, and other external stakeholders; Draft external-facing communications materials, including press releases, social media, talking points, outreach emails, op-eds, and blog posts; Coordinate logistics for calls, including creating agendas, and drafting internal-facing communications (i.e. emails, presentations); Project manage components of litigation projects, including developing work plans, tracking and communicating progress toward goals, and offering and soliciting feedback along the way; Maintain and, at times, create information management systems, processes, and tools within and amongst impact teams; Strategize with other team members—actively contribute ideas during impact and litigation project brainstorming sessions and propose projects to advance Protect Democracy’s mission; Contribute to culture-building initiatives across the organization. The ideal candidate brings: A minimum of three years of filing experience in civil litigation, including familiarity with: Supporting litigation through preparing, finalizing, and filing pleadings in court, cite checking and Bluebooking documents, drafting discovery materials and correspondence; and preparing administrative documents like pro hac vice applications; Navigating federal rules of civil procedure and state/local court rules;  Case management/litigation administration (including managing large quantities of documents and case file and folder organization); Strong writing, researching, editing, and proofreading skills; Experience project managing, ideally in a legal context; Excellent interpersonal and communication skills; Comfort giving feedback and managing “up, down, and sideways”; Nimbleness and an ability to perform well in a rapid-paced environment; Eagerness to learn new research, communications, legal and policy skills and processes; Ability to foster collaborative relationships and work in a team environment with people with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives; Rigorous attention to detail and the highest standards for excellence in execution; Ability to track, prioritize, and balance a diverse set of responsibilities; A passionate commitment to the preservation of democratic norms and institutions, and an understanding that our democracy has never fully represented communities of color. Preferred, but not required: Paralegal certification; Experience with Filevine; Experience with e-Discovery systems (i.e. Everlaw, Relativity). Compensation This position is FLSA Non-Exempt and eligible for overtime pay. The starting salary range for this role is $84,300 - $99,200 commensurate with the candidate’s relevant experience, capabilities, and skills, and in alignment with internal equity. 

Protect Democracy seeks highly motivated lawyers to join our team as Counsel. In this role, you will develop and contribute to legal strategies in key areas relevant to our mission of preventing our democracy from declining toward a more authoritarian form of government. From idea generation through all stages of planning and execution, Counsel work on creative impact litigation and other projects that integrate legal, policy, and communications strategies. Counsel also have opportunities to draw on our expert and advisory networks for guidance and support and to supervise and mentor law students. The ideal candidate brings at least four years of experience as an attorney, along with exceptional legal, analytical, and communications skills applicable to a range of advocacy strategies; entrepreneurial legal instincts and an ability to generate impactful ideas; and strong external relationship skills. We anticipate that incoming Counsel will be initially assigned to work in one of the following areas (though assignments may shift over time as the mission demands): combating disinformation, protecting free and fair elections, or advancing electoral system reforms. Protect Democracy recognizes that there is strength in diversity, and strongly encourages candidates from diverse backgrounds and from across the political and ideological spectrum to apply. Counsel can work from any location in the United States. We expect to hire multiple candidates for this role, and as a result, we do not expect that any one candidate will have all of the ideal criteria listed below.   If you think you’d be a stellar fit and could grow into the role, we want to hear from you. As Counsel, you will: Research, draft, and edit pleadings, motions, and other briefs filed in impact litigation related to our mission. Participate in and manage discovery, including informal fact-finding and evidence gathering, document review, witness interviews, written discovery practice, depositions, and expert discovery. Research and devise innovative legal arguments and potential litigation approaches, and help build our expertise as thought leaders on legal issues within the scope of our mission. Develop ideas for litigation, policy reform, and other integrated advocacy projects consistent with our mission. Work with the communications team to draft editorials and opinion pieces and develop communication strategies to build support for legal and advocacy strategies. Work alongside policy advocates to develop and advance legislative and other advocacy proposals. Job requirements The ideal candidate brings: A passionate commitment to the preservation of democratic norms and institutions, and an understanding that our democracy has never fully represented communities of color. An embrace of a cross-ideological and nonpartisan approach to protecting our democracy. Exceptional analytical skills and writing and presentation skills directed at both lawyer and nonlawyer audiences. Ability to track, prioritize, and, where necessary, triage work in order to use time in the most efficient and productive way. Comfort with an open and transparent culture that values constant feedback up, down and sideways. Collaborative orientation, including willingness to take on tasks big or small as needed to advance our mission, and ability to work well with people with diverse backgrounds and to manage up, down, and sideways. Comfort working in a growing organization, proactively working to build the organization and figure out what’s needed to move your work forward.   Requirements At least four years of legal experience (which can include judicial clerkships). A background in constitutional law, administrative law, and/or election law is preferred, but not required. Experience in impact litigation or representing plaintiffs in civil litigation is preferred, but not required. Experience supporting policy advocacy is preferred, but not required. Bar membership in good standing in the jurisdiction of your residence. Compensation The starting salary range for this role for candidates with more than 4 years of legal experience is $116,682 – $137,272, and for candidates with more than 10 years of legal experience is $155,153 - $182,533, commensurate with the candidate’s relevant experience, capabilities and skills and in alignment with internal equity. About Protect Democracy Flexible location.   You can work from any location in the United States as long as your location allows you to complete the demands of the position and mission. All staff are required to travel at least two times per year to internal team retreats. (Accommodations to this requirement will be made only in exceptional circumstances.) We currently have staff in Washington, DC, New York, Massachusetts, California, Virginia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Georgia, Utah, Kentucky, Washington, Florida, Illinois, Arizona, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Vermont, Colorado, Maryland, Wisconsin, Louisiana, Tennessee, and Texas. We offer shared workspaces in many of these locations for staff members who enjoy working in an office environment. Commitment to a diverse workplace.   Protect Democracy is an equal opportunity employer by choice. Our culture principles emphasize that there is strength in diversity as we believe diverse teams are more innovative, creative, and productive. Protect Democracy encourages applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, or veteran status. Competitive pay and phenomenal benefits.   In addition to a competitive salary, our benefits package includes an unlimited vacation and sick leave policy, along with 12 paid holidays, 4 weeks of paid family medical leave, and 18 weeks of paid parental leave. We also offer a 401(k) plan with up to 6% employer match that vests immediately, full coverage for an excellent health care plan that includes both dental and vision insurance, long-term disability and life insurance for all employees, a home office stipend, and as budget allows, discretionary bonuses. Ample opportunities for personal & professional development.   Candidates who do not meet all listed criteria should still apply, as our organizational structure focuses on providing mentorship and opportunities for professional growth. To apply for this position   Please complete the application linked here . As part of your application, you will be asked to upload your resume and cover letter as PDFs. Applications missing any of the required materials will be considered incomplete and not reviewed. Complete applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Protect Democracy seeks   Policy Advocates   who are innovative and strategic thinkers and passionate about protecting and strengthening our democracy. Policy Advocates transform ideas and strategic visions about how to improve our democracy into actionable policy proposals that advance the organization’s   mission . For example, our report   Towards Non-Recurrence: Accountability Options for Trump-Era Transgressions   (December 2019) helped us introduce ideas into the   public discourse   about the value of and framework for accountability to prevent future abuses after the Trump era. That work provided the foundation for   our advocacy   and additional   written products   to create accountability for the January 6th insurrection. You can find other examples   here . Ideal candidates combine skills in research, writing, policy analysis, communications, and project management to develop coherent theories of change that address the short- and long-term problems impacting our democracy. Policy Advocates use their subject-matter expertise to produce timely and high-quality policy analysis that serves as the basis for democratic reform efforts. This is a role for experienced candidates. Candidates from diverse backgrounds and with policy views across the political and ideological spectrum are strongly encouraged to apply. Our team values diversity of viewpoints and includes people who have Republican, Democratic, and independent backgrounds. We plan to hire multiple candidates, and as a result, we do not expect that any one candidate will have all of the experiences and requirements listed below. You can work remotely from any location in the United States. Policy Advocates will: Develop, propose, and lead strategic initiatives to tackle some of the most difficult obstacles facing our democracy. We are particularly interested in candidates who have interest or expertise in the following substantive areas: Election and voting law and administration Rule of law, separation of powers, checks and balances Electoral system reform (e.g. proportional representation and fusion voting) Constitutional reform and/or institutional reform (courts, Congress, civil service) Develop clearly defined organizational policy priorities and implement strategies to achieve them. Conceive, author, and supervise policy reports, briefs, memos, blogposts, op-eds, and other written products. Generate and sharpen creative policy proposals to strengthen American democracy. Build support among nongovernmental organizations, academia, and the general public for specific pro-democracy reforms. Build and manage coalitions of leaders, organizations, and activists in support of strategic campaigns to protect, rebuild, and perfect our democracy. Write, publish, and present at conferences and convenings to help establish the conditions for pro-democracy reform. Brief reporters and provide expert commentary on complex policy issues and solutions. Liaise with legislators, their staffs, agency leaders, experts, and coalition partners to understand and advance policy ideas. Partner with colleagues to develop integrated advocacy campaigns that combine legal, policy, and communications strategies. The ideal candidate brings: At least 7 years of relevant professional experience, or 4 or more years of relevant professional experience and a relevant advanced degree. Demonstrated ability to generate ideas and transform those ideas into practical policy solutions. Strong commitment to our cross-ideological advocacy approach and awareness of potential weaknesses in advocacy campaigns and how to mitigate them. Experience managing complex projects and teams from idea to execution. Exceptional writing and oral communication skills. Ability to persuasively present policy proposals to high-level decision-makers, potential coalition partners, or think tanks/symposia through oral presentations and written products. Excellent judgment about political activism, including what levers can make change happen with limited resources. Ability to foster collaborative relationships and work in a team environment with people with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. Growth mindset and enthusiasm for giving and receiving feedback up, down and sideways. Passion for protecting and improving our democracy. Compensation The starting salary range is $103,828 to $122,151 for mid-career candidates (typically with 7 or more years of relevant experience), $128,638 to $151,340 for more experienced candidates (typically with 12 or more years of relevant experience), commensurate with the candidate’s relevant experience, capabilities and skills and in alignment with internal equity. About Protect Democracy Flexible location.   You can work from any location in the United States as long as your location allows you to complete the demands of the position and mission. All staff are required to travel at least two times per year to internal team retreats, and occasionally for project-related travel. (Accommodations to this requirement will be made only in exceptional circumstances.) We currently have staff in Washington, DC, New York, Massachusetts, California, Virginia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Georgia, Utah, Kentucky, Washington, Florida, Illinois, Arizona, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Vermont, Colorado, Maryland, Wisconsin, Louisiana, and Texas. We offer shared workspaces in many of these locations for staff members who enjoy working in an office environment. Commitment to a diverse workplace.   Protect Democracy is an equal opportunity employer. Our culture principles emphasize that there is strength in diversity as we believe diverse teams are more innovative, creative, and productive. Protect Democracy encourages applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, or veteran status. Competitive pay and phenomenal benefits.   In addition to a competitive salary, our benefits package includes an unlimited vacation and sick leave policy, along with 12 paid holidays, 4 weeks of paid family medical leave, and 18 weeks of paid parental leave. We also offer a 401(k) plan with up to 6% employer match that vests immediately, full coverage for an excellent health care plan that includes both dental and vision insurance, long-term disability and life insurance for all employees, a home office stipend, and as budget allows, discretionary bonuses. Ample opportunities for personal & professional development.   Candidates who do not meet all listed criteria should still apply, as our organizational structure focuses on providing mentorship and opportunities for professional growth. To apply for this position, please complete the application linked below. As part of your application, you will be asked to upload your resume and cover letter as a single PDF. Applications missing any of the required materials will be considered incomplete and not reviewed. Complete applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Please contact hiring@protectdemocracy.org if you require accommodations at any point in the application process.

Protect Democracy seeks   Policy Advocates   who are passionate about protecting and strengthening our democracy by advancing policy solutions and organizing strategic coalitions and campaigns. Policy Advocates lead our efforts to influence congressional offices, state-level policymakers, candidates for elected office, executive branch officials, and similar decision-makers through direct outreach, coalition building, and related strategic communications directed at our target audiences. They also lead efforts within Protect Democracy to develop and refine policy solutions that would strategically advance Protect Democracy’s   mission . This is a role for experienced candidates. Ideal candidates bring significant advocacy experience, with demonstrated experience and interest working in cross-ideological coalitions and the ability to engage with legislative offices and partners on the right, center, and left of the political spectrum. Candidates from diverse backgrounds and with policy views across the political and ideological spectrum are strongly encouraged to apply. Our team values diversity of viewpoints and includes people who have Republican, Democratic, and independent backgrounds. We plan to hire multiple candidates, and as a result, we do not expect that any one candidate will have all of the experiences and requirements listed below. You can work remotely from any location in the United States. Policy Advocates will: Develop, propose, and lead strategic campaigns aimed at influencing political leaders at the federal or state level to rebuild and strengthen our democratic norms and institutions. Build and manage coalitions of organizations, civil society actors (such as business leaders or former government officials), and activists in support of strategic campaigns to protect, rebuild, and perfect our democracy. Work with legislators, their staffs, agency leaders, experts, and coalition partners to advance pro-democracy policy reforms. Generate and sharpen creative policy proposals on topics such as   preventing election subversion ,   protecting election officials , and moving   towards proportional representation . Partner with colleagues to develop integrated advocacy campaigns that combine legal, policy, and communications strategies. Write, publish, and give presentations to highlight the need for specific pro-democracy reforms and to build support among other nongovernmental organizations, academia, and target media audiences for the theories of change to achieve such reforms. Brief reporters and provide expert commentary on complex policy issues and solutions. The ideal candidate brings: At least 7 years of relevant professional experience, or 4 or more years of relevant professional experience and a relevant advanced degree. Demonstrated ability to build trusting and productive relationships with partners across the political spectrum and advocacy ecosystem. Demonstrated ability to design and lead policy development, campaigns, or advocacy initiatives at the federal or state level at a high level of excellence. Strong commitment to a cross-ideological advocacy approach and awareness of potential weaknesses in advocacy campaigns and how to mitigate them. Experience developing legislative and/or executive branch lobbying strategies. Experience managing complex projects and teams from idea to execution. Ability to draft concrete legislative or regulatory proposals, including legislative text and supporting policy documents with minimal supervision, and supervise team members to prepare these materials.Excellent judgment about political activism, including what levers can make change happen with limited resources. Understanding the rhythms of the political-media world and legislative dynamics. Ability to foster collaborative relationships and work in a team environment with people with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. Growth mindset and enthusiasm for giving and receiving feedback up, down and sideways. Passion for protecting and improving our democracy. Compensation The starting salary range is $103,828 to $122,151 for mid-career candidates (typically with 7 or more years of relevant experience), $128,638 to $151,340 for more experienced candidates (typically with 12 or more years of relevant experience), commensurate with the candidate’s relevant experience, capabilities and skills and in alignment with internal equity. About Protect Democracy Flexible location.   You can work from any location in the United States as long as your location allows you to complete the demands of the position and mission. All staff are required to travel at least two times per year to internal team retreats, and occasionally for project-related travel. (Accommodations to this requirement will be made only in exceptional circumstances.) We currently have staff in Washington, DC, New York, Massachusetts, California, Virginia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Georgia, Utah, Kentucky, Washington, Florida, Illinois, Arizona, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Vermont, Colorado, Maryland, Wisconsin, Louisiana, and Texas. We offer shared workspaces in many of these locations for staff members who enjoy working in an office environment. Commitment to a diverse workplace.   Protect Democracy is an equal opportunity employer. Our culture principles emphasize that there is strength in diversity as we believe diverse teams are more innovative, creative, and productive. Protect Democracy encourages applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, or veteran status. Competitive pay and phenomenal benefits.   In addition to a competitive salary, our benefits package includes an unlimited vacation and sick leave policy, along with 12 paid holidays, 4 weeks of paid family medical leave, and 18 weeks of paid parental leave. We also offer a 401(k) plan with up to 6% employer match that vests immediately, full coverage for an excellent health care plan that includes both dental and vision insurance, long-term disability and life insurance for all employees, a home office stipend, and as budget allows, discretionary bonuses. Ample opportunities for personal & professional development.   Candidates who do not meet all listed criteria should still apply, as our organizational structure focuses on providing mentorship and opportunities for professional growth. To apply for this position, please complete the application linked below. As part of your application, you will be asked to upload your resume and cover letter as a single PDF. Applications missing any of the required materials will be considered incomplete and not reviewed. Complete applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Please contact hiring@protectdemocracy.org if you require accommodations at any point in the application process.

Protect Democracy seeks highly motivated Research Associates who are passionate about protecting and strengthening our democracy by contributing to research products that form the foundation of our advocacy strategies.  Our research products, both qualitative and quantitative and short- and long-form, often seek to introduce ideas to the public discourse that can drive policy change on democracy issues. You can view some of our existing research   here . For example, our report   Towards Non-Recurrence: Accountability Options for Trump-Era Transgressions   (December 2019) helped us introduce ideas into the   public discourse   about the value of and framework for accountability to prevent future abuses after the Trump era. That work provided the foundation for   our advocacy   and additional   written products   to create accountability for the January 6th insurrection. You can find other examples   here .  In this role, you will provide foundational research and writing support – under the direction of researchers, policy advocates, and/or attorneys – to advance Protect Democracy’s mission. This is an excellent opportunity for either a recent graduate with research experience, or a more seasoned researcher to expand their skill set, contribute to the research projects that we produce and publish, and make an indelible impact on our mission. We do not expect that any one candidate will have all of the experiences and requirements listed — our current team comes from a variety of professional backgrounds, including academia and the public and private sectors. We encourage you to apply if the job description gets you excited about the role and the work of Protect Democracy.  We also encourage candidates from diverse backgrounds and from across the political and ideological spectrum to apply. You can work remotely from any location in the United States. Research Associate responsibilities include: Work on diverse, multi-disciplinary teams to support Protect Democracy’s policy research priorities Conduct literature reviews, produce abstracts of source materials, and prepare bibliographies Contribute to, propose ideas for, and write white papers, reports, blog posts, and other research products Analyze and summarize information for review and publication Support research project management, including designing project plans, setting timelines, and evaluating project progress and processes Perform substantive fact-checking Prepare charts, graphics, and other support materials for publication Track news and policy developments Support the team’s engagement with external partners and experts in the field Present research findings to teammates and communicate clearly for a non-research audience Perform copy editing and administrative tasks as required The ideal candidate brings: Bachelor's degree or Master’s Degree, preferred in political science, public policy, economics, statistics, or a related field 1-5 years of professional work experience and/or postgraduate education Prior experience leading or supporting complex research projects and ability to synthesize large bodies of knowledge Familiarity with basic standards of rigorous research (e.g. systems of citation, professional standards for research integrity, formatting conventions, etc.) Ability to navigate academic libraries, databases, and/or journal resources Creativity in envisioning and proposing potential research projects that advance Protect Democracy’s mission Exceptional writing, editing and proofreading skills Strong communication skills, including ability to engage with external partners and experts, as well as non-researcher audiences Ability to foster collaborative relationships and work in a team environment with people with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives Rigorous attention to detail and the highest standards for excellence in execution Ability to track, prioritize, and balance a diverse set of responsibilities Growth mindset and enthusiasm for giving and receiving feedback up, down and sideways Passion for protecting and improving our democracy Compensation The starting salary range for this role is $58,916 to $64,528 for recent college graduates with some relevant experience and $69,072 to $81,261 for candidates with more experience and/or a relevant advanced degree, commensurate with the candidate’s degree of experience, capabilities and skills, and in alignment with internal equity. About Protect Democracy Flexible location.   You can work from any location in the United States as long as your location allows you to complete the demands of the position and mission. All staff are required to travel at least two times per year to internal team retreats. (Accommodations to this requirement will be made only in exceptional circumstances.) We currently have staff in Washington, DC, New York, Massachusetts, California, Virginia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Georgia, Utah, Kentucky, Washington, Florida, Illinois, Arizona, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Vermont, Colorado, Maryland, Wisconsin, Louisiana, and Texas. We offer shared workspaces in many of these locations for staff members who enjoy working in an office environment. Commitment to a diverse workplace.   Protect Democracy is an equal opportunity employer. Our culture principles emphasize that there is strength in diversity as we believe diverse teams are more innovative, creative, and productive. Protect Democracy encourages applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, or veteran status. Competitive pay and phenomenal benefits.   In addition to a competitive salary, our benefits package includes an unlimited vacation and sick leave policy, along with 12 paid holidays, 4 weeks of paid family medical leave, and 18 weeks of paid parental leave. We also offer a 401(k) plan with up to 6% employer match that vests immediately, full coverage for an excellent health care plan that includes both dental and vision insurance, long-term disability and life insurance for all employees, a home office stipend, and as budget allows, discretionary bonuses. Ample opportunities for personal & professional development.   Candidates who do not meet all listed criteria should still apply, as our organizational structure focuses on providing mentorship and opportunities for professional growth. To apply for this position, please complete the application at the bottom of this page. As part of your application, you will be asked to upload your resume and cover letter as a single PDF. Applications missing any of the required materials will be considered incomplete and not reviewed. Complete applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Please contact hiring@protectdemocracy.org if you require accommodations at any point in the application process.

Protect Democracy seeks a highly motivated individual to join our Operations team in the newly created role of Accounting Associate. At Protect Democracy, we anchor our work in service to our mission: to prevent American democracy from declining into a more authoritarian form of government. Our mission is the foundation of our team, be it litigation, advocacy, or ensuring that our organization has the financial security to continue to meet the urgency of the moment and the importance of this movement.  As Accounting Associate, you will perform various monthly accounting close processes, help prepare the semi-monthly payroll, and be the primary approver of employee reimbursements and third-party vendor payments. This is an excellent opportunity for an enthusiastic accounting professional looking to expand their skill set and make an indelible footprint on a growing organization.  We strongly encourage candidates from diverse backgrounds to apply. If you have an interest in exploring this opportunity but lack some of the required experience, we would still love to hear from you. You can work remotely from any location in the United States.   The Accounting Associate will:  Perform monthly accounting close work including bank account reconciliations and other balance sheet reconciliations. Prepare semi-monthly payroll and 401K contributions. Ensure third-party vendors, partners, and employee reimbursements are paid accurately and on time. Help maintain the Organization’s compliance with US GAAP. Contribute to the preparation of the annual financial audits and Form 990 production. Identify ways to build and improve on Protect Democracy’s financial internal controls by examining needs, assessing possible solutions, and making recommendations. Collaborate with the Operations team and other teams across the organization to provide financial reporting and accounting guidance. Contribute to the overall development of Protect Democracy across all areas and facets of the organization, including impact strategy.   The ideal candidate brings: Passion for protecting and improving our democracy. A bachelor’s degree or 2+ years of professional experience in accounting. Rigorous attention to detail and the highest standards for excellence in execution. Facility with Microsoft Excel and Google Suite. Strong writing, research, communication, and diplomatic skills. Flexibility and comfort working in a fast-paced environment and pivoting to solutions as the organization grows. Growth mindset and enthusiasm for giving and receiving feedback up, down and sideways. Excellent critical thinking skills, including reasoning through novel problems and to get to efficient solutions . Kindness and respect for others. Pluses, but not requirements: Experience with non-profit accounting or active CPA license. Knowledge of Sage Intacct.   Compensation The starting salary range for this role is $58,916 - $64,528, commensurate with the candidate’s relevant experience, capabilities and skills and in alignment with internal equity.   About Protect Democracy Flexible location . You can work from any location in the United States as long as your location allows you to complete the demands of the position and mission. All staff are required to travel at least two times per year to internal team retreats. (Accommodations to this requirement will be made only in exceptional circumstances.)   We currently have staff in Washington, DC, New York, Massachusetts, California, Virginia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Georgia, Washington, and elsewhere around the country. We offer shared workspaces in many of these locations for staff members who enjoy working in an office environment. Commitment to a diverse workplace . Protect Democracy is an equal opportunity employer. Our culture principles emphasize that there is strength in diversity as we believe diverse teams are more innovative, creative, and productive. Protect Democracy encourages applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, or veteran status. Competitive pay and phenomenal benefits . In addition to a competitive salary, our benefits package includes an unlimited vacation and sick leave policy, along with 12 paid holidays, 4 weeks of paid family medical leave, and 18 weeks of paid parental leave. We also offer a 401(k) plan with up to 6% employer match that vests immediately, full coverage for an excellent health care plan that includes both dental and vision insurance, long-term disability and life insurance for all employees, a home office stipend, and as budget allows, discretionary bonuses. Ample opportunities for personal & professional development . Candidates who do not meet all listed criteria should still apply, as our organizational structure focuses on providing mentorship and opportunities for professional growth. To apply for this position, please complete the application linked below. As part of your application, you will be asked to upload as a single PDF of your resume and cover letter and to answer two short questions. Applications missing any of the required materials will be considered incomplete and not reviewed. Complete applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, starting June 2, 2023. Please contact hiring@protectdemocracy.org if you require accommodations at any point in the application process.

Protect Democracy is seeking multiple Operations Associates to join our highly collaborative team and assist in scaling the processes and procedures of a rapidly growing nonprofit.  At Protect Democracy, we anchor our work in service to our mission: to prevent American democracy from declining into a more authoritarian form of government. Our mission is the foundation of our team, be it litigation, advocacy, or ensuring that our organization has the operational foundation to continue to meet the urgency of the moment and the importance of this movement.  This is an excellent opportunity for a candidate who is eager to tackle operational challenges head-on and assist with scaling systems and processes of a mission-driven organization. The ideal candidate brings exceptional detail-orientation and communication skills; a flexible, growth-oriented mindset; and enthusiasm for our mission. We strongly encourage candidates from diverse backgrounds and from across the political and ideological spectrum to apply.  We plan to hire multiple Operations Associates, and will determine portfolios based on candidates’ experience, interest, skills, and organizational need. We do not expect that any one candidate will have all of the experiences or take on all the responsibilities listed below. Most of our Operations Associate positions are based in Washington, DC, but we will consider fully remote candidates for our knowledge management and systems portfolios. The Operations Associates will: Collaborate with colleagues to support technical, compliance, facilities, logistics, security, knowledge management, and finance workstreams. Independently identify ways to build and improve on Protect Democracy’s operational framework by examining needs, assessing possible solutions, and making concise, realistic recommendations. Help ensure Protect Democracy’s legal, fiscal, and administrative compliance, which includes collecting and managing large amounts of data.  Provide as-needed technological, security, and logistical support to the entire Protect Democracy team. Maintain knowledge management systems for Protect Democracy’s work, facilitating the broader team’s visibility across the organization’s work. Work across teams on special projects, including annual strategic planning, organization-wide meetings, and the implementation of new tools or trainings. Assist with the administration of several benefit programs, including FSAs, 401k, health care, and more. Act as an integral part of the onboarding experience for new staff members.  Contribute to the overall development of Protect Democracy across all areas and facets of the organization, including impact strategy and organizational culture. The ideal candidate brings: Passion for protecting and improving our democracy. Rigorous attention to detail and the highest standards for excellence in execution. Strong writing, research, and communication skills. Proven experience tracking, prioritizing, and balancing a diverse set of responsibilities with competing deadlines. Flexibility and comfort working in a fast-paced environment and pivoting to solutions as the organization grows. Enthusiasm for team collaboration and working with people with diverse backgrounds and characteristics, and openness to a diversity of ideas and perspectives. Growth mindset and comfort giving and receiving feedback up, down and sideways. Pluses, but not requirements: Background in IT, cybersecurity, physical security, logistics, or finance.  Compensation The starting salary range for this role is $58,916 to $64,528, commensurate with the candidate’s relevant experience, capabilities and skills and in alignment with internal equity. About Protect Democracy Flexible work schedule. This position is based in Washington, DC and will require you to be present in our office approximately 3 days a week, on a flexible schedule. We will consider candidates outside of the Washington, DC area for our knowledge management and systems portfolios. All staff are also required to travel at least two times per year to team retreats, as well as occasional project-related travel. (Accommodations to this requirement will be made only in exceptional circumstances.) We currently have staff in Washington, DC, New York, Massachusetts, California, Virginia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Georgia, Washington, and elsewhere around the country. Commitment to a diverse workplace. Protect Democracy is an equal opportunity employer. Our culture principles emphasize that there is strength in diversity as we believe diverse teams are more innovative, creative, and productive. Protect Democracy encourages applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, or veteran status. Competitive pay and phenomenal benefits. In addition to a competitive salary, our benefits package includes an unlimited vacation and sick leave policy, along with 12 paid holidays, 4 weeks of paid family medical leave, and 18 weeks of paid parental leave. We also offer a 401(k) plan with up to 6% employer match that vests immediately, full coverage for an excellent health care plan that includes both dental and vision insurance, long-term disability and life insurance for all employees, a home office stipend, and as budget allows, discretionary bonuses. Ample opportunities for personal & professional development. Candidates who do not meet all listed criteria should still apply, as our organizational structure focuses on providing mentorship and opportunities for professional growth. To apply for this position, please complete the application linked below. As part of your application, you will be asked to upload as a single PDF of your resume and cover letter and to answer two short questions. Applications missing any of the required materials will be considered incomplete and not reviewed. Complete applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, starting June 2, 2023. Please contact hiring@protectdemocracy.org if you require accommodations at any point in the application process.

Protect Democracy is seeking an In-House Counsel to join our team. In this role, you will serve as an effective legal guardian with the utmost integrity, ensuring Protect Democracy and its affiliated organizations operate within the law at all times and offering your expert counsel on legal, risk, and governance issues.  To succeed in this role, you must have strong legal judgment, experience managing legal and reputational risk, familiarity with the political environments in which US pro-democracy organizations do their work, and sound knowledge and understanding of applicable laws and regulations. Top candidates will have substantial experience managing government/internal investigations and/or enforcement matters, the ability to absorb information quickly and offer crisp guidance, and bring stellar partnership, advocacy, and people skills to the role. All applicants must share a passion for our mission to prevent the United States from declining into a more authoritarian form of government. Protect Democracy recognizes that there is strength in diversity and strongly encourages candidates from diverse backgrounds and from across the political and ideological spectrum to apply. You can work from any location in the United States.  In this role, you will work in collaboration with General Counsel and the In-House team to: Identify potential or emerging internal and external risk pertaining to the way we operate and seek to achieve our mission.  Evaluate those risks to determine which are likely to materialize and identify strategic ways to mitigate those risks.  Undertake and strategically manage Protect Democracy’s systems and processes to mitigate and address emergent high risk scenarios that involve regulatory scrutiny, enforcement actions, and other proceedings like defensive litigation and internal investigations; lead any internal and external work to defend the organization In addition as part of the In-House team, you will: Ensure we are in compliance with laws and regulations applicable to our operation, including but not limited to employment law, tax law, lobbying and fundraising registration, professional responsibility rules, and reporting requirements. Assess systems and data, including identifying needs for development of new systems and/or policies to maximize compliance and minimize legal and reputational risk, and design and implement trainings for staff. Where capacity allows and skills align, contribute to impact litigation and other programmatic work.  The ideal candidate brings: JD, equivalent degree, or equivalent practical experience. 7+ years of experience including leading defensive litigation, navigating government investigations and enforcement matters, and internal investigations. Admitted to a bar where the role is located and in good standing or otherwise authorized to practice law (e.g. registered in-house status); ability to travel within the country for events, appearances, hearings, etc.  Experience with high risk incident response and excellent judgment on how to assess, mitigate, and, when necessary, operate with risk.   Ability to convert legal rules and requirements into practical operational guidance for staff and programs to ensure compliance. Ability to foster collaborative relationships and work in a team environment with people with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives, including strong external relationship development skills and the ability to work effectively with outside counsel. Rigorous attention to detail and the highest standards for excellence in execution. Ability to track, prioritize, and balance a diverse set of responsibilities. Growth mindset and enthusiasm for giving and receiving feedback up, down, and sideways. A passionate commitment to the preservation of democratic norms and institutions. Comfort working in a startup environment, proactively working to build the organization and figure out what’s needed to move your work forward.  Compensation The starting salary range is $110,077-$129,502 for mid-career candidates (typically with 7-11 years of experience) and $152,111-$178,954 for more experienced candidates (typically with 12-17 years of experience). Where a candidate falls within the salary range is determined by a number of factors including the relevant experience, capabilities and skills a candidate brings, and internal organizational equity. About Protect Democracy Flexible location. You can work from any location in the United States. The only requirement is that your location be one that allows you to complete the demands of the position and mission. We currently have staff in Arizona, California, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and elsewhere around the country. Prior to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, we offered shared workspaces in those locations for staff members who enjoy working in an office environment, and we are reopening our workspaces in line with current guidance. Commitment to a diverse workplace. Protect Democracy is an equal opportunity employer. Our culture principles emphasize that there is strength in diversity as we believe diverse teams are more innovative, creative, and productive. Protect Democracy encourages applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, or veteran status. Competitive pay and phenomenal benefits. In addition to a competitive salary, our benefits package includes: unlimited PTO, 18 weeks of paid parental leave, a 401(k) plan with up to 6% employer match that vests immediately, excellent employer-sponsored health, vision, and dental plans, long-term disability and life insurance for all employees, a home office stipend, and as budget allows, discretionary bonuses. Ample opportunities for personal & professional development. Candidates who do not meet all listed criteria should still apply, as our organizational structure focuses on providing mentorship and opportunities for professional growth. Please contact hiring@protectdemocracy.org if you require accommodations at any point in the application process.

Protect Democracy seeks an IT Manager to join our team. In this newly created role, you will work with staff from across the organization and our external IT service provider to envision, propose, and implement technological solutions to advance Protect Democracy’s programmatic and operational objectives, while maintaining and improving on existing systems.  At Protect Democracy, we anchor all of our work in service of our mission: to prevent American democracy from declining into a more authoritarian form of government. Our mission is the foundation of our team, be it litigation, advocacy, or ensuring that our organization has the best-in-class technology to continue to meet the urgency of the moment and the importance of this movement. This is an excellent opportunity for a highly organized and creative IT project manager who is eager to take ownership of a growing organization's IT strategy and priorities. Experience working with virtual technology and/or cyber security in Apple and Google Workspace environments is highly preferred. Commitment to our mission and a passion for defending and strengthening our democracy are essential.  We strongly encourage candidates from diverse backgrounds and from across the political and ideological spectrum to apply. You can work remotely from any location in the United States, with a preference for candidates located in or near the Washington, DC area. The IT Manager will: Manage, delegate to, and coordinate with our external IT service account manager and help desk on long-term strategic projects and routine data and infrastructure maintenance; Assist staff in transitioning to new processes or cloud-based service platforms that promote automation, reduce redundancy, and advance mission; Manage the procurement, deployment, and security of organizational Apple technology and continuously improve on our existing asset management strategies; Identify and work with external vendors on organizational security assessments and audits as needed; Administer our Google Workspace instance, proactively seeking opportunities to make our work more efficient, effective, and secure;  Establish, implement, and iterate on IT operational procedures and policies (e.g. data loss prevention, disaster recovery, and software installation), ensuring compliance with legal requirements, regulation changes, and industry best practices; Support and oversee the deployment of cyber security trainings and phishing and smishing tests; Create and deliver informative, digestible communications to staff and consultants regarding technology and security updates; Support onboarding of new staff through technology resources and trainings. To be successful in this role, you should have: 7+ years experience with IT deployment and strategy in a virtual or hybrid work environment that includes staff working from offices and from home; 5+ years hands-on cybersecurity experience (e.g. responsibility for elements of an information security program such as vulnerability/risk assessment and management); Exceptional interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to coach and guide people through technology-related issues; Ability to critically evaluate information gathered from multiple sources, proactively reconcile conflicts, and distinguish requests from true needs; Ability to track, prioritize, and balance a diverse set of responsibilities across multiple projects simultaneously; Ability to foster collaborative relationships and work in a team environment with people with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives; Rigorous attention to detail and the highest standards for excellence in execution; Growth mindset and enthusiasm for giving and receiving feedback up, down and sideways; Passion for protecting and improving our democracy. Pluses, but not requirements: IT experience in a non-profit or legal environment; CISA, IT Support or Help Desk certification (e.g. ITIL, Google IT Support, Comp TIA or MCSA). Compensation The starting salary range is $88,134-$103,688 for mid-career candidates (typically with 7-11 years of experience) and $126,116-$148,373 for more experienced candidates (typically with 12+ years of experience). Where a candidate falls within the salary range is determined by a number of factors including the relevant experience, capabilities and skills a candidate brings, and internal organizational equity. About Protect Democracy Flexible location. You can work remotely from any location in the United States, with preference for candidates in or near Washington, DC. The essential  requirement is that your location be one that allows you to complete the demands of the position and mission. We currently have staff in Washington, DC, New York, Massachusetts, California, Virginia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Georgia, Washington, and elsewhere around the country. Prior to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, we offered shared workspaces in those locations for staff members who enjoy working in an office environment, and we are reopening our workspaces in line with current guidance. Commitment to a diverse workplace. Protect Democracy is an equal opportunity employer. Our culture principles emphasize that there is strength in diversity as we believe diverse teams are more innovative, creative, and productive. Protect Democracy encourages applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, or veteran status. Competitive pay and phenomenal benefits. In addition to a competitive salary, our benefits package includes an unlimited vacation and sick leave policy, along with 12 paid holidays, 4 weeks of paid family medical leave, and 18 weeks of paid parental leave. We also offer a 401(k) plan with up to 6% employer match that vests immediately, full coverage for an excellent health care plan that includes both dental and vision insurance, long-term disability and life insurance for all employees, a home office stipend, and as budget allows, discretionary bonuses. Ample opportunities for personal & professional development. Candidates who do not meet all listed criteria should still apply, as our organizational structure focuses on providing mentorship and opportunities for professional growth. To apply for this position, please complete the application linked below. As part of your application, you will be asked to upload your resume and cover letter as a single PDF. (Applications missing any of the required materials will be considered incomplete and not reviewed.) Complete applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Please contact hiring@protectdemocracy.org if you require accommodations at any point in the application process.