Principles First for America, a nonprofit organization headquartered in Washington, D.C. and dedicated to advancing pro-democracy leadership on the center-right, is seeking a full-time Operations & Membership Director for an 18-month contract position, with the possibility of extension. This person will plan and execute the organization’s near-term rapid expansion with a focus on acquiring audiences, lifting brand awareness nationally, and planning our annual flagship event, the Principles First Summit, in the spring.

The organization is in a growing phase and needs an experienced, hard-working, independent mid-career professional capable of stewarding that growth and achieving the Principles First mission at scale. The organization is headed by Founder Heath Mayo who serves in a voluntary capacity. The Operations & Membership Director will be the only full-time dedicated staff member with Principles First, at least in the beginning phases of our expansion.

Preference will be given to candidates who are based in Washington, D.C. and available to come into the office part-time.

For the Operations & Membership Director, the metrics we will use to evaluate success include the following: 1) Principles First will grow its membership nationally, with a focus in key states; 2) We will have our largest Principles First Summit to date; 3) The organization’s profile will be raised with key audiences through earned and paid media; 4) Internal operations will be streamlined and professionalized; and 5) Our programmatic offerings will expand nationwide.

Primary responsibilities include:

• Revamping Principles First’s public profile, including its website, newsletters, and leadership’s public profiles
• Planning and executing the Principles First summit, slated for March 2024, which convenes 500+ attendees from around the country in Washington, D.C. and serves as an alternative to CPAC
• Growing membership and audiences through list-building and acquisition
• Hosting periodic virtual and in-person events for members across the country to engage Principles First’s grassroots base
• Running ad campaigns to promote the organization’s brand and mission across multiple channels
• Contacting members of Congress and other elected officials with campaigns aimed at advancing the organization’s priorities
• Organizing media and communications outreach nationally and in select localities to raise the organization’s profile, and serving as a public spokesperson when needed

Preferred skills and experience include:

• Experience leading or helping lead membership campaigns for a major organization, preferably in the nonprofit sector, to grow its audience and reach
• Experience planning and executing large-scale in-person events, to include event promotion, managing attendees, liaising with vendors, staffing, etc.
• Experience planning and hosting multiple smaller-scale in-person and virtual events, some simultaneously, to maintain continuous engagement from members
• Experience running ad campaigns across TV, CTV, radio, and digital platforms, including conceptualizing ads, executing buys, and monitoring ad performance
• Experience leading public communications for an organization, including managing its website, publishing outbound communication for members, media relations, etc.
• Familiarity with government relations work, including outreach to members of Congress and other public officials nationwide
• Familiarity with Principles First’s pro-democracy, center-right mission, and with the broader landscape on the right, and willingness to advance these principles
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, and willingness to advance tasks proactively and bring new ideas to the table

To apply, send a resume and cover letter to Heath Mayo at [jobs at principlesfirst dot us]. This position is open on a rolling basis and will remain open until we find a suitable candidate. We offer a competitive salary and benefits commensurate with candidates’ experience.