- Develop effective proactive and defensive policy campaigns that center racial equity
- Advocate for our campaigns in alignment with the Common Cause agenda and non-partisan mission
- Develop and execute lobbying strategies to advance reform (or stop anti-democratic initiatives) and to hold federal, state, and local elected and appointed officials and other decision-makers accountable
- Oversee Common Cause’s work in the state including issues like voting and fair representation, accountability and anti-corruption, and media and technology
- Produce timely, high-quality policy research
- Act as a leader within Common Cause, collaborating with staff across the organization to advance and support our priorities
- Build, lead, and participate in effective and diverse coalitions
- Serve as Common Cause’s spokesperson in responding to inquiries from media, government officials, and others
- Engage members and the public across the state through social media, website updates, and email communication
- Develop and implement grassroots organizing strategies to build support for the Common Cause agenda
- Expand and diversify our membership base in the state to deepen our impact
- Manage the Wisconsin team: collaboratively set goals, coach and develop them towards these goals and support their career progression and retention at Common Cause
- Supervise consultants, volunteers, and interns as needed, in accordance with Common Cause management standards, practices, and procedures
- Promote, lead, and manage collaboration between your team and other teams across the organization, ensuring coordination and alignment on shared work and priorities
- Manage the operations of the Wisconsin team, including managing the budget
- Build and engage a strong and diverse state advisory board that assists on policy, organizing, and fundraising activities
- Collaborate with Common Cause staff across the country
- Collaborate with national staff to achieve fundraising goals for Wisconsin
- Develop fundraising strategies to fund Common Cause programs, including lobbying efforts
- Raise money from foundations, major donors, members, and special events
- Cultivate, nurture, and grow relationships with Wisconsin’s network of donors
You will thrive in this role if you have:
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
Ability to navigate organizational and power dynamics, respectfully navigate conflict while maintaining your values, and influence others to adopt changes to meet common goals
A track record of working collaboratively with others, with the ability to build rapport, trust, and credibility with multiple stakeholders with diverse interests
Innovative and strategic thinking skills, with the ability to navigate through ambiguity to achieve goals, and a resourceful approach to solve problems
Ability to manage and meet deadlines for multiple short- and long-term priorities in a fast-paced environment, with high attention to detail; strong organization 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 working with the media and/or as a spokesperson for an organization
Openness to feedback and awareness of your own strengths and areas for growth
Familiarity with office productivity tools (Microsoft Office, Slack, Zoom)
The following is required:
Experience leading successful local- or state-level public advocacy campaigns related to democracy, elections, voting rights and civil rights, including creating and managing campaign or annual plans, from conception through implementation
Experience drafting, analyzing and advocating for legislation in Wisconsin
Demonstrated knowledge of the unique aspects of Wisconsin’s political dynamic, as well as of funders and decision-makers in the state; ideally you have existing relationships with these people and organizations
Experience building, participating in, and leading coalitions or groups that represent stakeholders with diverse interests to achieve a goal
A track record of leading organization-wide change initiatives
Have managed and developed a team; set strategic direction for a team, and built a unified approach to achieve goals
Ability to travel within state at least 4 days per month and up to multiple times per week during legislative session, and nationally 1-2 times per year for team and/or all staff retreats
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 classified as supervisory and therefore not included in the union-represented collective bargaining unit.
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.
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
- Experience leading successful local- or state-level public advocacy campaigns related to democracy, elections, voting rights, or civil rights
- Experience creating and managing campaign or annual plans from conception through implementation
- Experience drafting, analyzing, and advocating for legislation in Wisconsin
- Knowledge of Wisconsin’s political dynamics, funders, and decision-makers
- Experience building, participating in, and leading diverse stakeholder coalitions
- Track record of leading organization-wide change initiatives
- Experience managing and developing a team, setting strategic direction, and building unified approaches to achieve goals
- Ability to travel within Wisconsin at least four days per month and up to multiple times per week during legislative sessions
- Ability to travel nationally one to two times per year
- Flexibility to work evenings and weekends as needed, especially during legislative sessions
- Must not currently hold elected office, run for office, serve on specified political candidate committees, or be affiliated with political party leadership
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.
