Director of Student Voting Programs

Location

Cambridge, MA | United States

Job description

Job Title: Director of Student Voting Programs

Organization: Democracy House

Location: Remote, ability to commute to Boston on monthly basis

Position Type: Full-time

About Democracy House: Democracy House inspires rising generations to defend, strengthen, and improve democracy. We drive innovation and analysis in civic education and leadership, community infrastructure, public policy, and youth voter participation. We believe in the power of student voting as a catalyst for positive change and are committed to equipping students with the knowledge and tools they need to make a difference in their communities. We strive for a country with full student voter participation.

Democracy House and its fiscal sponsor, the Foundation for Civic Leadership, have played a critical role in the creation or development of many leading student vote programs and organizations, including the National Study of Learning, Voting, and Engagement (NSLVE), the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge, Students Learn Students Vote, and the Student Vote Research Network. As Democracy House continues its campaign for full student voter participation, we are regularly assessing gaps in the existing ecosystem and incubating new scalable projects to fill them.

Position Overview: The Director of Student Voting Programs will by a leader in the field who advances our mission by directing, developing, and executing strategic initiatives that focus on student voting, while providing consistent support to existing leaders in the space. As the Director, you'll spearhead the analysis of both internal and external programs, maintaining a holistic view of the ecosystem. We're on the lookout for an individual with a robust analytical skill set, equipped with ideas on fortifying the student civic engagement space.

This position requires a passionate and innovative individual who can drive youth civic engagement efforts through advocacy, policy, implementation of best practices, and thought leadership. Democracy House has played a leadership role on youth voting policy, and seeks someone with experience in driving and executing policy changes. You will be at the forefront of our efforts to empower students to become active, informed, and enthusiastic participants in the democratic process. Your focus will be on college and university students, with the potential expansion into high school voter engagement.

This position places you at the forefront of our mission to empower students, fostering active, informed, and enthusiastic participation in democracy. This role builds on the triumphs of past programs, where Democracy House's leadership has led to historic strides in student voting and nonpartisan civic engagement on campuses nationwide.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Program Leadership and Stewardship:

• Develop, implement, and oversee impactful student voting programs aligned with DH's goals.
• Integrate program initiatives seamlessly into our broader mission and activities through collaboration with internal teams.
• Manage a large network of partners and organizations, leading program development and coordination.
• Identify gaps in the student voting ecosystem, providing strategic recommendations for DH's leadership in closing them.
• Help win resource commitments for the program work and for the field.

1. Advocacy and Outreach:

• Lead the development of policies supporting student voting and civic engagement.
• Advocate for student voting rights and access at state and federal levels.
• Collaborate with partners and lawmakers to implement and enforce policies.
• Foster partnerships with relevant organizations, educational institutions, and community leaders to amplify the impact of student voting programs.

1. Data Analysis and Evaluation:

• Establish and monitor key performance indicators for comprehensive evaluation of program impact.
• Utilize data-driven insights to continually refine and enhance program strategies.
• Analyze the student voting ecosystem, identifying gaps and weaknesses, and actively support existing organizations to address them.

1. Best Practices and Education:

• Identify and evaluate best practices and emerging trends in student voting and civic engagement.
• Develop and provide educational resources, training, and support for students, educators, and community members.
• Conduct briefings for advocates, funders, and thought leaders, sharing key insights from our programming.

1. Thought Leadership:

• Serve as a dynamic spokesperson in public forums, conferences, and media appearances, emphasizing the importance of youth civic engagement.
• Publish articles, reports, and thought leadership pieces to establish the organization as a prominent voice in the field.

In all aspects, foster collaboration and support existing organizations within the student civic engagement space to collectively strengthen the impact and reach of our shared mission.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in a related field (Master's degree preferred).
• At least 7 years experience in youth civic engagement, student voting, or a related field.
• Strong understanding of the legislative and policy landscape surrounding voting rights and youth civic participation.
• Exceptional project management and leadership skills.
• Strong and proven analytical and evaluation abilities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative team.
• Passion for empowering young people to become active and informed citizens.

Questions about the role can be directed to [email protected]

DH is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds and experiences.

Job tags

Salary

$120k - $150k