We are looking for a collaborative and strategic Senior Policy Manager, Media & Technology to join our Policy team. This is an exciting opportunity to use your subject matter expertise to collaborate with teams across the country to develop and advance policies at the federal- and state-level that support a sustainable media and information ecosystem, including issues at the intersection of media, technology, artificial intelligence, and democratic governance.
This is a full-time role reporting to the Senior Director, Media & Technology; this role is remote anywhere within the lower 48 United States, with an expectation to travel up to 12 times per year. We hope our new Senior Policy Manager will start in April.
Responsibilities
In collaboration with the Senior Policy Director, Media & Technology, lead strategic policy development and advocacy to build a healthy media and information ecosystem
- Develop and advance policy proposals to strengthen local journalism, public and public-interest media, and community information sources, and support press freedom
- Conduct policy research and analysis on media consolidation, ownership structures, and funding models to inform organizational strategy and public-facing communications
- Build and maintain strategic relationships with media organizations, journalism coalitions, documentary filmmakers, independent storytellers, ethnic and multilingual media outlets, and other stakeholders in the media ecosystem
- Monitor and analyze regulatory proceedings at the FCC, developing intervention strategies on media consolidation, ownership rules, merger reviews, and related matters
- Track state and federal legislative developments affecting media policy, identifying opportunities for intervention and partnership
- Monitor and analyze emerging technology and platform-related policy issues—including artificial intelligence, algorithmic amplification, platform governance, and digital infrastructure—as they relate to media sustainability, democratic accountability, and the information ecosystem
Drive campaigns and policy that support media institution building
- In collaboration with the Senior Policy Director, Media & Technology, design and implement strategic campaigns to support press freedom, independent media, and community-rooted information sources
- In collaboration with the Senior Policy Director, Media & Technology, develop policy documents, narratives and resources that connect media sustainability to democratic infrastructure, positioning journalism and storytelling as essential components of accountability and civic participation
- Create educational materials, toolkits, and resources to support state teams and partners in advancing media policy priorities at federal, state, and local levels
- Provide technical assistance and strategic guidance to state teams on media-related policy opportunities
- Analyze trends in media ownership, consolidation, and business models to inform proactive policy development and rapid response strategies
- Collaborate with programs and communications teams to translate complex media policy issues into compelling narratives for diverse audiences
- Support policy development and rapid response at the intersection of media and technology, including issues related to AI-generated content, platform transparency, and the impact of technology on journalism, elections, and public trust
Build and lead coalitions to support our goals
- Build, lead, and participate in coalition spaces on behalf of Common Cause to support and advance media policy, press freedom, local journalism, independent and public media, information ecosystem actors (storytellers, content creators, filmmakers), sustainability, and media consolidation
- Build and sustain partnerships with journalism organizations, media reform advocates, public media institutions, independent creators, and community media outlets to advance shared policy goals
- Participate in multi-stakeholder campaigns opposing harmful media mergers and consolidation that threaten local journalism
- Facilitate peer learning and knowledge-sharing among coalition partners, making strategic judgments about collaboration opportunities and division of labor
- Engage policymakers and their staff to educate on media policy priorities and build support for reforms
- Develop customized engagement strategies for different stakeholder communities, from legacy newsrooms to emerging digital storytellers
- Represent organizational positions in public forums, testimony, and media appearances on media policy issues
- Collaborate with internal subject-matter experts to integrate media, technology, and AI policy considerations into broader democracy reform strategies
Support organizational capacity and strategic alignment
- Collaborate with organizing, communications, and development teams to integrate media policy priorities into broader programmatic work and fundraising narratives
- Guide and mentor junior staff, interns, and others working on media-related projects
- Contribute to organizational strategic planning processes, ensuring media policy work aligns with broader democracy reform goals
- Manage grant deliverables and reporting requirements related to media policy funding
- Track and evaluate impact of media policy initiatives, using data and metrics to refine strategies and demonstrate outcomes
- Other duties as assigned
You will thrive in this role if you have:
- A strong commitment to Common Cause’s nonpartisan mission and to advancing civil rights through our pro-democracy agenda
- A track record of working collaboratively with others, with the ability to build rapport, trust, and credibility with multiple stakeholders with diverse interests
- Ability to navigate organizational and power dynamics, respectfully navigate conflict while maintaining your values, and influence others to adopt changes to meet common goals
- Ability to compel action through both written and verbal communication, including distilling complex concepts for a broad audience, and to differentiate communications as needed for various audiences
- Innovative and strategic thinking skills, with the ability to navigate through ambiguity to achieve goals, and a resourceful approach to solve problems
- Ability to manage and meet deadlines for multiple short- and long-term priorities at once, with high attention to detail; strong organization skills, and the ability to manage your time independently
- A commitment to equity in the goals of your work and in how you work with others
- Openness to feedback and awareness of your own strengths and areas for growth
- Familiarity with office productivity tools including Microsoft Office and Zoom
The following is required:
- Demonstrated knowledge of at least two of the following issues: local journalism; community information sources (e.g., filmmakers, storytellers, creators); public media; public interest journalism; and media consolidation
- Demonstrated familiarity with how tech issues (for example, artificial intelligence, algorithmic amplification, platform governance, and digital infrastructure) intersect with media and democracy
- Demonstrated experience with the legislative process in at least one state (ideally you have this experience in multiple states and/or at the federal level), including policy research and analysis, policy development, legislative drafting, legislative advocacy and lobbying, and policy implementation
- Demonstrated knowledge of the unique aspects of our national political dynamic, and of decision-makers in at least one state (ideally in multiple states and/or at the national level), with a preference for candidates who have existing relationships with these people and organizations
- Experience leading successful public advocacy campaigns related to media and democracy
- Experience managing coalitions or groups that represent stakeholders with diverse interests to achieve a goal
- Ability to travel up to 12 times per year for team meetings, events, and/or all staff retreats
- Willing to have a social media presence on behalf of Common Cause, including being tagged on posts and creating content on behalf of the organization (as needed, Common Cause may provide accounts for staff members to use)
- Per our nonpartisan policy, Common Cause staff members may not currently be in elected office (or running for office); on the Steering Committee or Finance Committee for any political candidate; or affiliated with the leadership of a political party
Additional information about this role:
- This position is included in a union-represented collective bargaining unit and specific employment terms and conditions are subject to collective bargaining negotiations
- Common Cause is unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time; please note that if hired, you will be asked to produce documentation for authorization to work in the US
Salary & Benefits:
$97,850 - $113,300 a year
Note that we do have geography-specific percentage increases, depending on where you are located; details here.
In order to ensure greater equity and transparency as an organization, Common Cause sets salary ranges consistently based on job responsibilities, and we determine salary for each staff member based on relevant years of experience (you can read more about our approach to compensation here, including where we offer geographical adjustments). For these reasons, we do not negotiate on our salary ranges or our specific salary offers.
In addition to salary, we also offer a generous benefits package, including:
- A robust healthcare plan that covers 97% of employee’s medical care, 100% of employee’s vision and dental benefits, and 75% of family medical care and 100% of family vision and dental benefits
- Long-term disability and life insurance
- Generous Paid Time Off including 20 Days of Vacation and 10 observed Holidays per year, and additional days off for Thanksgiving and Winter break
- 16 weeks of paid parental leave
- Flexible spending accounts
- A 401k retirement savings plan, with immediate Employer Match
- Dependent Care and Pet Care Support when you travel for work
- Funds for professional development
- And more! See more details here: https://www.commoncause.org/our-benefits/
Common Cause is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applicants of any race, creed, color, religion, ethnicity, national origin, income class, political affiliation, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, veteran status, or marital status, as well as applicants who have been previously incarcerated.
Common Cause (501(c)(4)) and Common Cause Education Fund (501(c)(3)) are nonpartisan, nonprofit grassroots affiliate organizations dedicated to upholding the core values of American democracy. We work to create an open, honest, and accountable government that serves the public interest; promote equal rights, opportunity, and representation for all; and empower all people to make their voices heard in the political process.
Founded in 1970 and headquartered in Washington, DC, Common Cause has members and supporters living in every congressional district in the United States, and offices in 23 states around the country.
