The Center for Democracy & Technology (CDT) is seeking an experienced advocate to help lead our work on issues at the intersection of free expression and technology, as the Deputy Director of the Free Expression Project. This position will address challenging issues related to online expression in the United States and around the world, including content moderation, intermediary liability, disinformation, hate speech, online child safety, fundamental rights protection, and transparency, as well as cross-cutting issues such as encryption, machine learning and algorithmic recommendations, generative AI, privacy, and enabling data access for independent researchers.

CDT works to preserve freedom of expression and other human rights online through a variety of strategies, including advocacy, public education, and research. CDT engages in legislative debates and litigation at the state, national, and regional level in the U.S. and EU; participates in agency rulemaking and other policy development processes, domestically and globally; and works to build best practices with industry and with other civil society advocates. We seek to preserve the open internet as an enabler of individuals’ fundamental rights to freedom of expression and access to information, by holding governments and companies accountable for the ways they shape our online environment and working to empower individuals and communities.

Responsibilities

Key responsibilities for this position include:

• Executing CDT’s strategic advocacy plan for specific topics within the Free Expression Project, including formulating legal and policy positions, developing advocacy strategies, coordinating across CDT teams, coalition-building and engaging with external stakeholders;
• Writing in a variety of formats, including blog posts, advocacy material, white papers, legislative analysis, and amicus briefs;
• Conducting research to support the development of CDT’s legal and policy positions and collaborating with CDT’s Research team and other staff on the production of research-based reports and articles;
• Engaging directly with technology companies to advocate for best practices and policies with respect to content moderation, trust & safety, transparency, and related issues;
• Analyzing legislative proposals and providing expertise to policymakers;
• Outreach to CDT partners and other stakeholders, including coordinating CDT’s Free Speech Working Group meetings;
• With the Free Expression Project Director, developing and executing advocacy strategy, including identifying short- and long-term advocacy goals; and
• Representing CDT through public speaking, participation in coalition meetings, and media interviews.

Qualifications

An ideal candidate would have:

• At least 5 years of work experience in legal or policy positions relating to free expression, information policy, civil liberties, or technology policy, with increasing levels of responsibility;
• Juris doctorate strongly preferred, but those with other advanced degrees in public policy, information technology, or computer science are also welcome to apply;
• Expertise in at least one of the following areas: U.S. First Amendment law; E.U. or U.S. intermediary liability law, such as Section 230; international human rights law and free expression; content moderation / trust & safety / product policy; automated content analysis / filtering; transparency reporting;
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including experience interacting with the press;
• Experience with advocacy before Congress, federal agencies, European institutions, and/or U.S. and European court systems;
• Familiarity with technical concepts related to the internet, freedom of expression, and content moderation; and
• An energetic, entrepreneurial, and collaborative working style.

Compensation and Location

The compensation for this position ranges from $90K–$135K. Compensation is determined on a tiered pay scale based on years of experience and the responsibilities of the role. Candidates may request guidance on where they would fall within the salary range during or prior to their first interview. CDT provides a generous benefits package that includes health care and dental coverage for employees and dependents, a retirement plan, paid vacation, sick days, and parental leave.

This position is based in CDT’s Washington, D.C. office, which operates on a hybrid schedule with 3 days in office per week. A different hybrid schedule may be considered in exceptional cases, and is available if needed as a disability accommodation.

To Apply

Please send a résumé and a cover letter explaining your interest in the position to [email protected].

The Center for Democracy & Technology is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender expression, age, national origin, disability, marital status, or sexual orientation in any of its activities or operations. We believe that a diverse staff enables us to do better and more impactful work. Women, people of color, people with disabilities, members of LGBTQIA+ and other historically marginalized communities are strongly encouraged to apply.