Jobs at Cato Institute

Draft amicus briefs for federal and state supreme courts, develop legal arguments, communicate with counsel, conduct legal research, and write independently. Associates receive intensive training in legal writing and contribute to publications including the Cato Supreme Court Review. The one-year hybrid role offers preparation for a career in constitutional and pro-liberty litigation.

Owns the full-cycle talent acquisition process from role scoping through signed offers. Improves hiring workflows, interview structures, selection criteria, candidate experience, and hiring metrics. Partners with managers to define roles and recruitment strategies, coaches interviewers, manages the ATS, develops talent pipelines, supports employer branding, and occasionally backs up other HR functions.

Manage the Cato Innovation Project, Vision for Liberty Awards, and additional special projects from conception through execution. Coordinate cross-functional teams, stakeholders, applications, programming, communications, and events; establish objectives and metrics; resolve obstacles; write persuasive outreach and website content; and support the Senior Vice President for Policy with administrative and organizational tracking.

Build and manage Cato’s education-focused social media presence across multiple platforms, including launching a new channel and growing Sphere Education Initiatives’ existing channels. Create platform-specific content, produce and edit social-first video, drive registrations and applications, coach on-camera contributors, manage campaigns, analyze performance, and report on audience and conversion metrics. The role requires translating complex policy ideas into compelling content while coordinating priorities across programs and stakeholders.

Produces high-volume digital and print graphics, including social media assets, web graphics, email campaigns, presentations, brochures, reports, and event materials. Applies established brand systems, prepares print-ready files, adapts designs across formats, incorporates feedback, organizes assets, and manages concurrent projects and deadlines. Collaborates with designers, marketing, social media, web, events, and policy teams.

Manages technology policy program initiatives, cross-functional coordination, strategic priorities, events, reports, budgets, workflows, and operational logistics. Partners with scholars and internal teams to launch and grow Cato’s Tech Policy Center, monitor program progress, improve processes, and support stakeholder engagement. Requires strong project management, communication, organization, independent judgment, and interest in technology policy and classical liberal principles. Hybrid Washington, DC role with up to 10% travel.

Leads high-priority public affairs initiatives, including policymaker engagement programs, congressional events, campaigns, and outreach. Develops new engagement concepts connecting scholars and research with policymakers, journalists, and influential audiences. Coordinates cross-functional efforts with government affairs and communications teams, establishes performance measures, and manages the Special Initiatives team through strategic direction, oversight, and professional development.

Owns end-to-end planning and delivery of concurrent digital product, AI, design, and data visualization projects. Coordinates internal teams and external partners, manages stakeholders, controls scope and timelines, resolves risks, maintains project documentation, and applies AI tools to improve reporting and resourcing workflows. The role also co-owns the WorkFlo project management tool and supports content operations within the Cato Digital Platform.

Lead editorial and logistical work for audio and video podcasts: develop scripts/outlines, prep guests, coordinate recording and post-production with engineers and editors, write episode metadata, and manage production schedules and promotion with communications teams.

Lead design and execution of talent pipelines and educational programs to identify, attract, and develop talent across career stages. Strengthen internships and research associate programs, build new channels (fellowships, prizes, visiting positions), activate alumni and networks, instrument the talent funnel with data and CRM tools, partner with hiring managers and HR, and lead a cross-functional team to expand Cato’s talent reach.

Lead and scale Sphere Education Initiatives to reach 50,000+ educators by 2029. Oversee Sphere Summit and Sphere on the Road programs, manage a team of 3–4 direct reports, recruit and engage educator alumni, develop strategy and programming, travel frequently to deliver events, and evaluate program impact.