National Advocacy Director

DC Vote

Position Title: National Advocacy Director

Location: Remote. Washington DC Metropolitan Area strongly preferred, but will consider exceptional candidates outside of the region.

Reports to: Executive Director

Hours per week (average): Full time- 40 hours/week

Overtime Status: Exempt

Start Date: January 2027

About Us

DC Vote is working to win DC Statehood with full representation in the U.S. Congress and the same legal rights for the 700,000 residents of DC – as residents of any other state in the nation. Washington DC is the only national capital in the world without a voice in its national legislature. The fight for DC statehood is working to advance democracy, voting rights, and equality. This impacts policy outcomes around issues including economic justice, health care, labor, reproductive justice, LGBTQIA+ rights, immigration, criminal justice and safety, climate, racial justice and more. DC Vote is driving a multi-year campaign aimed at making statehood undeniable and achievable at the next window of opportunity. We are a growing, highly collaborative team looking for talented and motivated people to join us and make essential contributions to the fight ahead.

Position Description:

The National Advocacy Director will drive DC Vote’s work with national partners and on Capitol Hill. This person will convene allies, coordinate and participate in coalitions, along with participating at coalition tables. They will lead Hill meetings alongside allies, and shape strategy to build support among key officials and move them to act in support of DC statehood. This person will work in coordination with the DC Vote Statehood Field Director, communications team, strategic advisors and DC-based and national allies.

Responsibilities:

National Legislative Coalition Building: Collaborate with national allies, as well as regional and local DC allies to strengthen collective advocacy. Build strategic alliances with external stakeholders, peer organizations, and community networks to expand coalition reach and influence.
Legislative Strategy Development and Execution: Work with the Executive Director and Strategic Advisor to design and execute a coalition-building and congressional legislative strategy to win DC statehood and defend DC against federal attacks on local autonomy.
Policy Analysis: Monitor, review, and analyze federal legislation and policy to determine their impact on DC statehood and local DC autonomy.
Lobbying & Relationship Building: Serve as the primary liaison and registered lobbyist with elected officials, congressional staff, and key decision-makers. Organize and execute meetings with elected officials and Congressional staff alongside DC Vote staff and coalition partners.
Public Representation and Communications: Serve as one of the spokespeople for the organization in meetings with lawmakers, at public events, hearings, conferences, and with social and earned media. Advise on communications strategy, including reviewing press releases and social content.
Cross-Team Collaboration: Work closely with the Field Director, communications team, strategic advisors and Executive Director to develop and execute strategy.

Qualifications

DC Vote is seeking candidates who are passionate about our mission, who are highly motivated and proactive, and bring a solution-oriented mindset and the ability to work and accomplish tasks on time with minimal supervision. Some qualities that will help this person succeed are drive, tenacity, and responsibility balanced with adaptability, flexibility, emotional intelligence. Someone who is relational, has perspective, and humor to work well in a team and to sustain the work for democracy and justice for the long haul. A learning mindset with strong personal commitment to the issue of DC statehood is required.

While no one candidate will embody all of the qualifications below, our ideal candidate will bring:

Must-Haves

5-7+ years of progressive experience in national legislative and policy advocacy and policy advocacy.
- Deep understanding of legislative process, mechanics, and strategy.
Coalition-building experience and skill.
- Strong relational skills and the ability to work well with people externally and internally.
- Thoughtful and skilled at navigating a wide range of organizational and coalition dynamics.
- Demonstrated track record of strong strategic acumen and judgement.
Strong project management and execution.
- Get-things-done mindset and approach who sets goals and executes them.
- Turns strategic ideas into concrete action.
- Balances an inspiring long-term vision with the day-to-day work of moving projects forward on schedule.
- Strong attention to detail.
Strong written and verbal communication.
- Demonstrated ability to distill and communicate information and ideas clearly in a timely manner.
- Ability to draft policy recommendations, strategy memorandums, along with internal and external communications.
- Ability to communicate clearly in convenings, in large groups, and one-on-ones.
- Discipline to stay on message with press and at public events.
- Proficiency with online communication platforms (e.g., Slack, Microsoft, etc).
Education: Bachelor’s degree in Political Science, Public Policy, Public Administration, Law, or a related field.

Nice-to-Haves

Experience with national democracy and/ or voting rights issues and coalitions.
Familiarity with communications and messaging. This role collaborates with team members focused on driving messaging that moves a variety of audiences.
Experience with the compliance requirements and restrictions of 501c3 and 501c4 organizations.

Working conditions: This is a full-time, 40 hours per week, remote position that requires in-person meetings in D.C. approximately 2 days a week on average. The position may occasionally require travel. Long hours are occasionally required to respond to emerging circumstances. Occasional work events fall outside of the 9 AM - 5 PM Monday-Friday working hours. DC Vote is committed to work-life balance.

Salary & Benefits: The salary range for the position is $100,000-$130,000. DC Vote offers excellent benefits, including employer paid health insurance, a retirement plan, and employer matching contributions, generous vacation and leave policy.

How to Apply:

To apply, please send your resume and cover letter (both in PDF format) via the Movement Talent Opportunity Board application portal by clicking the "Apply To This Job" button:

https://recruitcrm.io/apply/17903672204790060944zCh

This position is open until filled; however, the posting/acceptance of applications may close at any time. Job descriptions do not cover or contain a comprehensive listing of every activity or responsibility that is required.

DC Vote is committed to equal opportunity, and encourages applicants of all ages, races, sexual orientations, genders, national origins, ethnicities, religions, and veteran status. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds and experiences related to our core organizational values and objectives to apply.