We are looking for a Legislative Director to set the vision for and manage the legislative portfolio for Common Cause in California. 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 State 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 is a full-time role reporting to the State Director and based in the Greater Sacramento Area, with an expectation to travel to the California State Capitol at least 3 days per week (up to 5 times per week during legislative session). We hope our new Legislative Director will start in October.
Responsibilities
In partnership with the State Director, set and execute the long-term strategy for statewide policy development and democracy reform, ensuring alignment with our organizational priorities
Manage all aspects of the legislative process for Common Cause in California, including developing ideas for and drafting legislation, determining strategies to advocate for legislation, finding bill authors, lobbying, testifying at legislative hearings, and negotiating amendments
Act as the team’s primary representative in meetings with elected leaders, legislative leaders, and other critical stakeholders
In partnership with the State Director and the Senior Director of Legislative Affairs, build relationships with key legislative staff at the state capitol to advance Common Cause’s federal policy agenda with the California delegation and other critical stakeholders
Collaborate with program staff to leverage their subject matter expertise to support our advocacy efforts
Build and lead coalitions of civil rights, tech/AI, civic engagement, and community-based organizations from across the state, and act as a representative at the Capitol for our work with these organizations
Lead coalition meetings, manage cross-sector relationships, and represent Common Cause in external policy discussions, public forums, and legislative hearings
Coordinate efforts with coalition partners on joint advocacy strategies, including lobbying campaigns, grassroots mobilization, and media outreach
Act as a spokesperson for Common Cause, delivering testimony, making public statements, and representing the organization in high-level meetings and legislative events
Present and speak at legislative hearings and committee meetings
Manage consultants and contractors as needed to ensure Common Cause’s legislative agenda is successful
Lead legislative advocacy campaigns, including creating policy proposals, drafting position papers, providing testimony, and organizing strategic outreach efforts to support legislative action
Provide input on election protection activities
Support and engage with the One Million Conversations Campaign and additional organization-wide campaigns and initiatives
Write op-eds, research reports, legislative factsheets, policy briefs, and memos
Create social media content to publicize legislative work
Draft policy memos for the advisory board and members
Contribute to 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
Understand best practices for effective engagement with Common Cause members and the public to support our legislative agenda
Collaborate with the State Director and fundraising team to identify and pursue funding opportunities to support policy and legislative advocacy.
Act as the primary communicator with our state board on legislative and policy priorities, facilitating discussions on policy with the board as needed
Support fundraising efforts by engaging with key donors, grantmakers, and funding organizations to cultivate financial support for state programs and initiatives.
Write and develop updates and share successes through written updates and funder briefs
Complete administrative tasks as required, including logistics for legislative advocacy activities, stakeholder engagement, and coalition meetings.
Manage lobbying filings on behalf of Common Cause in California
Perform other duties as assigned
Set the strategic direction for and advance our California and national policy agenda
Advance our legislative agenda through coalition building and stakeholder engagement
Drive campaigns and our advocacy strategy
Communicate about our work
Support our Fundraising and State Advisory Board management
Administrative and Other Duties
Qualifications
A strong commitment to Common Cause’s nonpartisan mission and to advancing civil rights through our pro-democracy agenda
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
An ability to build rapport, trust, and credibility with multiple stakeholders with diverse interests, with a track record of working collaboratively with others, navigating organizational and power dynamics to meet common goals, and respectfully navigating conflict while maintaining your values
Innovative and strategic thinking skills, with the ability to navigate through ambiguity to achieve goals, and a resourceful approach to solving problems
Ability to manage and meet deadlines for multiple short- and long-term priorities at once, with high attention to detail; strong organizational skills, and the ability to manage your time independently
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; ideally, you have experience speaking to the press on complex issues
Highly adaptable to shifting legislative priorities
Familiarity with office productivity tools, including Microsoft Office, Slack, and Zoom
A track record of impactful lobbying efforts and deep knowledge of the California legislative process
A demonstrated knowledge of decision-makers at the state level, with a preference for candidates who have existing relationships with these people and organizations
Strong knowledge of current issues, challenges, and opportunities related to at least one of our issue areas: Civil Rights & Civil Liberties or Anti-Corruption & Accountability; ideally, you also have knowledge of issues related to Media & Technology (in particular, AI and democracy) and/or Voting & Fair Representation
Have led successful local- or state-level public advocacy campaigns related to democracy, elections, voting rights, and civil rights
Have managed coalitions with diverse interests to achieve a goal
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)
Ability to travel in-state 3-4 times per year, and out-of-state 1-2 times per year for team and/or all staff retreats
Ability to work in-person in Sacramento at least 3 days per week, and up to 5 days per week during legislative sessions, conferences, gatherings, and election protection work
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
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
You will thrive in this role if you have:
The following is required:
Additional information about this role:
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.
Skills Required
- Commitment to Common Cause’s nonpartisan mission and pro-democracy agenda
- Commitment to equity in work goals and relationships
- Ability to build trust and credibility with diverse stakeholders and navigate organizational dynamics and conflict
- Strategic, innovative, adaptable, and resourceful problem-solving ability
- Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple deadlines and priorities independently
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, including simplifying complex issues for broad audiences
- Experience speaking to the press on complex issues
- Familiarity with Microsoft Office, Slack, and Zoom
- Track record of impactful lobbying efforts and deep knowledge of the California legislative process
- Knowledge of state-level decision-makers and relationships with relevant people and organizations
- Knowledge of civil rights and civil liberties or anti-corruption and accountability issues
- Knowledge of media and technology issues, particularly AI and democracy
- Knowledge of voting and fair representation issues
- Experience leading successful local- or state-level advocacy campaigns related to democracy, elections, voting rights, or civil rights
- Experience managing coalitions with diverse interests
- Willingness to maintain a social media presence and create organizational content
- Ability to travel in-state three to four times per year and out-of-state one to two times per year
- Ability to work in person in Sacramento at least three days per week and up to five days during legislative sessions and other events
- Must not currently hold elected office, run for office, serve on specified political campaign committees, or be affiliated with political party leadership
- Authorization to work in the United States without employer visa sponsorship
What We Do
Common Cause is a nonpartisan, grassroots organization dedicated to upholding the core values of American democracy. Founded in 1970, it works at the national, state, and local levels to create an open, honest, and accountable government that serves the public interest. The organization focuses on issues such as voting rights, campaign finance reform, ethics, and media accountability, empowering citizens to make their voices heard in the political process.
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