Associate Director of Economic Justice, Budget and Tax Policy

About Demos. Demos is a movement-oriented think
tank committed to racial and economic justice. Through research,
advocacy, strategic communications, litigation, and deep
partnerships with grassroots organizations across the country, we
build power with and for Black and brown communities. Since 2000,
Demos has built relationships with grassroots partners, legal and
policy experts, and policymakers to champion, advance, and realize
pro-democracy and economic justice laws and policies. Demos is
valued and trusted for its deep relationships with movement leaders
and its ability to prioritize what the movement needs. Demos’
policy, litigation, and advocacy work has moved to the center of
the national conversation and even become law. From getting money
out of politics to expanding voting rights, our policy
recommendations and advocacy have become reality. We don’t just
develop policy papers with big ideas—we put them into action.
Individually and as coalition partners, we’ve beat back anti-voter
laws in multiple states, expanded access to the ballot for formerly
incarcerated Americans, and protected rights guaranteed by the
National Voter Registration Act. We’ve crafted narrative and policy
to advance a more just, inclusive economy where Black and brown
people thrive. We’ve fought for and won greater consumer
protections within our credit system, improved working conditions
for the federal contractor workforce, and we laid the groundwork
for debt-free college and student debt cancellation. 

The Associate Director, Economic
Justice will lead, in consultation with the Director of
Economic Justice, the development of a body of work at Demos
focused on public budgets, public goods, public benefits, and tax. 
Demos’ Economic Justice program advances an affirmative vision for
a just and inclusive economic future and pathways to build economic
power for Black and brown people and communities.  

In coordination with grassroots
and movement-building organizations, the Associate Director
will conceptualize, plan, execute and oversee research, analysis,
and policy development. This work is based on the premise that
those most impacted by injustice and inequality should have a voice
in the solution. The position is part of the Economic Justice team
at Demos and will report to the Director of Economic Justice. The
most competitive candidates will bring an entrepreneurial
orientation, humility, and an ability to work collectively both
internally and externally.  

Responsibilities include but are not limited
to: 

• Develop research and
  conduct policy analysis on a range of issues related to
  economic justice with an emphasis on public budgets, public goods,
  public benefits, and tax;    
• Write long and
  short-form publications, including research reports, issue briefs,
  fact sheets and opinion articles;   
• Work in collaboration
  across Demos’ democracy, movement building and communications teams
  to develop and execute deliverables that advance Demos’ strategic
  priorities, as well as the strategic goals for the economic justice
  team;   
• Conduct presentations
  and represent Demos externally on relevant research and policy
  issues;  
• Develop, maintain and
  build collaborative relationships with external partners and allies
  including racial justice movement organizations, progressive
  organizations engaged in economic justice work, academics, and
  policymakers; working creatively and strategically to leverage
  these relationships to advance Demos’ programmatic and movement
  goals;   
• As the Economic Justice
  Team grows, manage direct reports to ensure clarity on goals, to
  develop space for feedback, and to support staff development. With
  appropriate input from HR and your Director, you lead the hiring
  processes for any roles you will directly supervise as vacancies
  arise.  You are aware of and model organizational policies,
  practices, and values to your team and
  supervisees.  
• Working closely with the
  Director of Economic Justice, you work as a thought partner and
  leader to help provide clear goals and directions for the
  collective work of the team, and at the individual staff level. You
  assist the Director in addressing team morale issues.  As
  requested, you represent your team in internal or external meetings
  on behalf of the Director.  
• You consistently
  integrate your deep understanding of key racial equity concepts
  into work projects and interactions by addressing structural
  implications and disproportionate impacts of policies, activities,
  and decisions on race, class, and other group identities within the
  context of job responsibilities and projects.   
• Other duties as
  assigned; some travel required.   

The successful candidate must demonstrate the following
skills and experience:  

• Developed
  Racial Equity Analysis & Practice. You have a
  well-developed racial equity analysis and consistently integrate
  this analysis into your work projects and personal interactions by
  addressing structural implications and disproportionate impacts of
  policies, activities, and decisions on race, class, and other group
  identities within the context of your job responsibilities and
  projects.  
• Policy expertise. You have a proven track record
  in working on budget policy, tax policy, OR public benefits
  policy.  
• Research Design, Writing and Analytical
  Skills.  You have experience designing
  and conducting primary qualitative and quantitative research
  including surveys, interviews, focus groups or other research
  methods. You know how to incorporate the voices and center
  the lived experience of those most impacted by injustice and
  inequality into research and policy design and analysis. You have
  experience executing research and writing projects, from initial
  concept stage to final drafting of research reports, issue briefs,
  fact sheets and other materials. You are proficient in using one or
  more statistical software packages such as Stata, SPSS, or R. You
  have familiarity working with microdata from U.S. statistical
  agencies and other sources of household data, including proficiency
  with the American Community Survey (ACS), Current Population Survey
  (CPS), and Survey of Consumer Finances (SCF).  

• External Outreach and Collaboration. You are
  skilled at identifying and cultivating productive relationships
  with key individuals in movement building, academia, government,
  and policy and advocacy organizations. 
• Low
  Ego. You are committed to advancing the whole rather than
  yourself. You have an optimistic outlook and the humor, integrity,
  kindness, and patience necessary to work within a transformative
  environment. You are willing to set aside a personal agenda in
  favor of organizational and/or community goals and
  objectives. 

The most competitive candidates will also demonstrate
several of the following skills and experience: 

• Experience with
  legislative or regulatory processes 
• Experience leading a
  portfolio and creating a long-term and short-term plan for
  work 
• Experience managing the
  work of staff or consultants, modeling strong supervisory and
  management practices internally. 

Additionally, candidates must bring a strong commitment to
excellence and an ability to work in an evolving
environment.  

Work Location: Demos is working to adopt a
hybrid, remote-first work model with in-person meetings taking
place in the current offices in New York City or Washington, D.C.
Candidates based in any continental U.S. location with the ability
to travel are encouraged to apply. 

Salary and Benefits: The annual salary range
for this position is $125,000 – $135,000. Salary is determined
based on job responsibilities and other factors determined by law.
For purposes of internal equity, Demos will not negotiate salaries
outside of this posted range. Demos has a generous benefits
package, which includes health insurance, dental and vision
insurance, 11 paid holidays, 18 vacation days per year, 5 floating
holidays per year, 12 sick days per year, paid time off the last
week of August, and Dec. 24 – through the first week of January,
and a voluntary 403b plan. 

How to Apply: Please upload a concise,
thoughtful cover letter and resume that speaks to how your
experience and skillset meet the qualifications for this role. We
are looking for an immediate hire so applications will be accepted
on a rolling basis until the position is filled. No phone calls or
emails please. 

Demos is an Equal Opportunity Employer–people
of color, people with disabilities, women, and LGBTQ candidates are
strongly encouraged to apply. We are committed to a diverse
workplace, and to supporting our staff with ongoing career
development opportunities.