We are looking for a Policy Director to set the vision for and manage the legislative portfolio for Common Cause Texas. This is an exciting opportunity for someone with strong collaboration and policy skills who can join us to lead our work at the State Capitol.
This role will work closely with the Executive Director as well as teammates, board members, and partners, and will build relationships to be our ambassador at the State Capitol. This role will work to advance our policy agenda at the state capitol so that we are building a more inclusive, equitable, representative, and trustworthy democracy in our state.
This role reports to the Executive Director of Common Cause Texas, and is based in Austin, TX with the expectation to be in-person at the State Capitol 2-3 days per week. We hope our new Policy Director will start in August.
Responsibilities
In collaboration with the Executive Director, set the strategic direction for and advance the policy agenda for Common Cause Texas at the legislature and with local and municipal governmental bodies
•Set the long-term strategy for state-wide policy development and democracy reform in Texas
•Manage all aspects of the legislative process for Common Cause Texas, including: analyzing legislation, developing ideas for and drafting legislation and legislative amendments, determining strategies to advocate for legislation, finding bill authors, lobbying, testifying at legislative hearings, negotiating amendments
•Act as Common Cause Texas' sole representative in meetings with elected leaders, legislative leaders, and other critical stakeholders
•Act as the primary communicator with our state board on legislative and policy priorities; facilitating discussions on policy with the board as needed
•Manage lobbying filings on behalf of the organization
Advance our legislative agenda through work with staff and partners
•Collaborate with and project manage Common Cause Texas staff members to leverage their subject matter expertise to support our advocacy efforts
•Build and lead coalitions and working groups of civil rights, civic engagement, and community-based organizations from across the state, and act as a representative at the capitol for our work with these organizations
•Engage partners and key stakeholders, including powerful stakeholders who aren't always aligned with our policy goals (for example, on increased transparency, stricter campaign finance rules, independent redistricting, etc.)
•Build relationships with key legislative staff at the state capitol to help advance our policy agenda
Communicate about our work
•Write op-eds, research reports, legislative factsheets, policy briefs, and memos
•Draft policy memos for the Common Cause Texas advisory board and members
•Contribute to copy for policy-related social media posts, website content, and other communications
•Make on-the-record statements to the press, and speak at press conferences or rallies
You will thrive in this role if you have:

• A strong commitment to Common Cause's non-partisan mission and to advancing racial equity through our democracy agenda
• Familiarity with Texas' political context; ideally you have existing relationships with political actors in the State Capitol
• Ability to build rapport, trust, and credibility quickly with diverse communities, coalitions, and stakeholders
• A track record of working collaboratively with others, of respectfully navigating conflict while maintaining your values and influencing stakeholders to take action
• Creative and strategic thinking skills, with the ability to navigate through ambiguity
• Ability to manage multiple short- and long-term projects simultaneously, with shifting priorities
• An ability to compel action through both written and verbal communication, including the ability to distill complex concepts for a broad audience; ideally you have experience writing op-eds and press releases and making public statements on behalf of an organization
• Openness to feedback and awareness of your own strengths and areas for growth
• Familiarity with office productivity tools (Microsoft Office, Google Suite, Slack, Zoom)

The following is required:

• Knowledge of, and strong interest in, current statewide democracy issues, including voting rights, redistricting, campaign finance reform, and ethics
• Demonstrated experience with the Texas legislative process, including policy research and analysis, policy development, legislative drafting, legislative advocacy and lobbying, and policy implementation
• Ability to work in-person in Austin at the State Capitol 2-3 days per week
• Ability to travel in-state 4-5 times per year for team and board meetings, and domestically 1-2 times per year for all staff meetings and events
• Flexibility to work evenings and weekends as needed, especially during legislative sessions
• Per our non-partisan 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.

$90,000 - $105,000 a year
In addition to salary, we also offer a generous benefits package; details: 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 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 more than 1.5 million members and supporters living in every Congressional district in the United States, and offices in 25 states around the country.