About the Roosevelt Institute
The Roosevelt Institute is a think tank, a student network, and a nonprofit partner to the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum. We 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 into the 21st century.
Roosevelt takes on today’s greatest challenges by developing bold, cutting-edge research and policy ideas and moving those ideas into action. 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.
As an umbrella brand for Roosevelt’s “people work,” we have launched the Roosevelt Society. The Society will serve as the moral and intellectual home for leaders in the political economy who are fighting for an economy and democracy that are more progressive, more inclusive, and more just. Bringing together Roosevelters from all walks of life, and who work across the many sectors where power is being contested, the Roosevelt Society is offering programs, events, and networking opportunities to help build power for our people and our worldview.
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 job applications for all 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.
Roosevelt’s External Engagement Work
Over the past decade, the Roosevelt Institute and Roosevelt Forward have played a unique and catalytic role in laying the groundwork for recent historic policy successes. Our work has led not just to policy wins, but also to an increasingly powerful new way of thinking about the economy (new paradigms) and to a talent pipeline for hundreds of economic policy positions ready to enact these ideas (new people). The backbone of our work is a Rooseveltian political philosophy focused on the importance of a creative, pro-public, responsive, and equitable government—one that plays a direct and active role in managing our nation’s economic affairs.
Roosevelt does its partnership work through both our (c)(3) and (c)(4) entities. And, much of our “personnel is policy” work will be done as part of the Roosevelt Society, the umbrella brand for all of our people work.
What You’ll Do
The Roosevelt Institute is seeking an entrepreneurial, engaging, strategic advocate for the position of Managing Director, Partnerships and Appointments.
The Managing Director will be responsible for overseeing external partnerships work for Roosevelt. This will include overseeing Roosevelt’s “personnel is policy” work and serving as a Roosevelt representative at policy and movement tables and convenings. This position will work closely with the Managing Director of Government Relations to ensure a consistent strategy and message for Roosevelt’s overall advocacy and external relations efforts.
The successful candidate will have substantial knowledge of the economic policy and economic justice nonprofit ecosystem. They will need to understand government functions, including the federal legislative process, and should have substantial knowledge of the policy apparatus within the executive branch of the federal government. They should have or be willing to develop strong relationships across the economic policy infrastructure. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, as well as strong group presentation skills, are a must, as is a willingness to learn and enthusiasm for Roosevelt’s “paradigms and people” theory of change.
- Drive strategy, direct operations, and oversee staff working on our “personnel is policy” project, which sources and recommends excellent candidates for core federal appointments
- Oversee potential pilot expansion of this work in select states
- Build upon and expand Roosevelt’s external relationships with partner organizations, including other entities that do federal personnel work
- Drive and/or support convenings with partners, where strategic, under the Roosevelt Society umbrella
- Work closely with Managing Director of Government Relations to develop a coherent government relations approach to personnel work, and to translate and amplify specific areas of Roosevelt Institute policy research with policymakers and allies
- Staff principals, including the CEO and other think tank subject-matter experts, for policymaker and partner meetings
- Represent the Roosevelt Institute at key meetings
- Conduct targeted, relevant policy research as necessary
- Manage a small team
What You’ll Have
- Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree strongly preferred
- Minimum of eight years of progressively responsible experience in government or advocacy, preferably in economics or political economy
- Understanding of federal policymaking processes
- Persuasive commitment to the Rooseveltian worldview and an understanding of what it means to do paradigm-shifting policy work
- Top-notch written and verbal communication skills; a proven track record of writing clear, structured, and persuasive communications (e.g., reports, factsheets, talking points, policy memos, and briefs) with excellent attention to detail
- Managerial experience is strongly preferred.
Please note: Interested candidates must submit both a cover letter and resume for consideration.
The ability to work independently and, at the same time, be a strong team player, is critical to the success of this position. The successful candidate will be flexible, entrepreneurial, creative, and self-directed.
Not sure if you meet all the qualifications? Please apply!
We know talent comes in many forms. Our only requirement is that you’re passionate about advancing democracy—to create meaningful change. Join our team and help envision a new equitable future for all.
This is a location-specific position that requires day-to-day work in Washington, DC.
Salary range $146,000–160,000.