Political Director

Summary

Join Unite America as their Political Director and lead their candidate support programs, building relationships with elected officials to advance nonpartisan election reform. This role involves shaping political strategies, fostering partnerships, and building the organization's influence for electoral change. The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker with extensive political experience, knowledge of campaign finance, and a commitment to cross-partisan collaboration. The position is ideally based in Denver, CO, but remote work is possible with a relocation stipend offered. Unite America is a non-partisan organization focused on election reform, and this role offers a chance to make a significant impact.

Requirements

• Minimum of eight years of experience in leading political campaigns, external affairs, lobbying, government affairs, developing relationships with candidates and elected officials, and/or strategically dispersing political contributions
• Strong commitment to cross-partisanship and a demonstrated ability to work collaboratively across political lines
• Extensive knowledge of state and federal political electoral landscapes and electoral dynamics
• Familiarity with campaign finance and compliance requirements
• Exceptional relationship-building skills with a talent for stakeholder engagement and coalition-building with the ability to navigate complex political environments effectively
• Skilled in stakeholder mapping, advocacy, and data-driven decision-making to generate strategic insights
• Excellent written and verbal communication abilities
• Capable of engaging diverse audiences and clearly conveying complex political, technical, budgetary and program details to staff, board members, donors and external stakeholders
• Proven experience in program oversight, management, and operational execution
• Critical thinking ability, coupled with decisive action, to synthesize complex issues effectively
• Initiative-driven, highly self-motivated, adaptable to working independently or collaboratively, consistently bringing tasks and projects to successful resolutions
• High ethical standards and a commitment to integrity and transparency
• Genuine passion for Unite America’s mission

Responsibilities

• Develop strategies for effective elected official and candidate engagement to support organizational policy goals at both the state and federal level
• Create and manage partnerships with -- and grants to -- state and national organizations
• Form coalitions with like-minded organizations to amplify influence and resources
• Build and execute new programs, such as candidate and elected official programs, led by Unite America
• Identify, vet, and track candidates who support our mission, ensuring engagement strategies remain impactful and compliant
• Collaborate with the Campaigns team to align strategies with specific state campaigns
• Recommend and oversee contributions to candidates and Political Action Committees (PACs), strictly adhering to all legal and ethical standards
• Collaborate with external partners to secure endorsements, coordinate on candidate engagement, and provide financial support to aligned partners
• Track all contributions and expenditures against internal KPIs
• Represent organizational priorities to a range of policymakers through direct meetings, conferences, and other outreach
• Design and execute engagement programs that strengthen ties with stakeholders and support policy objectives, including programs to elevate and network together policy champions nationally
• Build and maintain strategic relationships with elected officials, political staff, and key stakeholders to advance organizational priorities
• Collaborate with other members of the Program team and Communications team to provide resources, model policy, briefings, and other resources to policymakers

Benefits

• Competitive Compensation ($120-150k)
• 401(k) Plan (with up to a 3% employer contribution match)
• Health Care Plan (medical, dental, and vision)
• Unlimited Paid Time Off (vacation, sick days, public holidays, and team-wide wellness days)
• Family Leave (maternity, paternity, and adoption)
• Paid sabbatical after 4 years on staff
• Training & Professional Development
• Wellness Resources
• Opportunity to join an inclusive, vibrant, and diverse team