This role is remote.
We prioritize the following locations for hiring: CA, CT, DC, GA, IL, LA, MD, MI, NC, NJ, NY, OH, PA, SC, TX, VA, VT but we welcome candidates from other states to apply as well.
About the Roosevelt Institute
The Roosevelt Institute is a think tank, a student network, and the nonprofit partner to the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum that, together, are learning from the past and working to redefine our collective future. Focusing on corporate and public power, labor and wages, and the economics of race and gender inequality, the Roosevelt Institute unifies experts, invests in young leaders, and advances progressive policies that bring the legacy of Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt into the 21st century.
The Roosevelt Institute takes on today’s greatest public policy challenges by advancing bold, cutting-edge research and policy ideas. We believe that the future of the American economy and our democracy depends on a new way of thinking about markets and government. Too few people hold too much economic and political power today, and we know that a stronger society is possible if we rectify this imbalance between private actors and the public. With a commitment to transforming corporations, restructuring markets, reviving democratic institutions, and reimagining the role of government, our work moves our nation toward a more resilient, equitable, and green future.
Our Culture
At Roosevelt, we recognize that the culture of the workplace and opportunities for career growth and development are important to all. We believe that diversity of background and experience among our people make our work to rewrite the rules of our social and economic realities stronger. Roosevelt is an equal-opportunity employer. As affirmed in its policies and practices, the organization considers all applications for all job classifications without regard to race, color, creed, national origin, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, familial status, military status, height and weight, genetic predisposition or carrier status, arrest record, or other legally protected status. We strongly encourage people with diverse work and life experiences, diverse educational backgrounds, and diverse cultures to apply.
What You’ll Do
Reporting to the Vice President, Think Tank, the Director, Race and Democracy, will lead the Roosevelt Institute’s race and democracy program. The race and democracy program investigates the structure and functioning of our democratic institutions and the racial rules that structure our economy. It offers innovative paradigms and policies to help strengthen and sustain our democracy in order to build a more equitable economy and society. The Director will develop a portfolio on key governing institutions and their relationship to a functioning democracy, and they will expand our program’s research portfolio and publication pipeline that currently includes work on race, inequality and democracy, stratification economics, and law and political economy (LPE). Our resident expert on race and democracy, the Director will drive internal strategy and represent Roosevelt in the media and among advocacy groups, funders, and elected officials.
This role will combine research (~25–30 percent of the time), writing, long-range strategy development with leadership, and day-to-day management of a team (program managers, research associates, and part-time fellows). The ideal candidate will have either legal or economic expertise and understanding around the broad contours of stratification economics and LPE.
Essential Functions and Responsibilities
Research and Writing
- Conduct research and author papers and other products, such as blog posts, articles, and op-eds
- Engage fellows, external partners, and outside experts in the development of research agendas and products
- Develop new lines of long-range research and policy proposals, with a special focus on strengthening democratic institutions
Program Strategy and Leadership
- Develop program area research agenda in conjunction with the program area’s experts, including identifying areas for new long-range thought leadership
- Lead a team of full-time staff and contract experts, aligning them around program goals, overseeing research product development, and ensuring that the whole of the program’s work and products is greater than the sum of its parts
- Partner with advocacy and communications teams to develop overall programmatic goals and materials
Where appropriate, represent the organization’s program work with the press, government officials, funders, and allied organizations - Manage and review the research and writing of fellows, contractors, and staff to ensure quality and rigor
- Partner with the development team to articulate clear goals, strategies, and deliverables for proposals to support program work and to track and report out on progress
Management
- Manage all program area staff to ensure timely delivery of high-quality products and support their long-term development goals
- Oversee product pipeline for the program area and ensure all products are delivered on time and meet the highest research standards
What You’ll Have
- Law degree or advanced degree in economics, history, political science, sociology, public policy, or related subject preferred—but not required
- Research expertise at the intersection of democracy, economics, and law with a race lens
- Exceptional writing, editing, and communications skills
- Experience writing and/or communicating about policy ideas to a wide audience
- Demonstrated success managing multiple complex projects at once and leading teams—including balancing the needs of multiple stakeholders and priorities (e.g., academic and research experts, advocacy and media goals) and timely delivery of projects
- Experience collaborating with teams across an organization to develop and execute program strategies, as well as troubleshooting and course-correcting as needed
- Passion for the Roosevelt Institute’s mission and strategy of intervening at the level of paradigm shift
Note: Candidates advanced to the hiring manager interview will be asked for two items: a research writing example and an op-ed.
Not sure if you meet all the qualifications? Please apply!
We know talent comes in many forms. Join our team and help envision a new equitable future for all.
The salary range for this role is $119k – 146k annually. The Roosevelt Institute offers excellent benefits that include 100% paid medical, dental, and vision for employees and 80% paid for dependents; life insurance; vacation; personal and sick time; paid parental leave; professional development; healthcare, dependent care, and commuter FSA; and a 403(b) retirement plan with up to 4% contribution.
INTERESTED CANDIDATES MUST SUBMIT A RESUME TO BE CONSIDERED.