Policy Director and Counsel, Media and Technology

Common Cause

7d•$116,699 - $137,917•Remote

About The Position

Common Cause is hiring a Policy Director and Counsel for its Media & Technology team. The team works to protect digital rights and civil freedoms, promote transparency and accountability from technology and media companies, and strengthen trustworthy, locally rooted information sources. It advances these goals through legislative advocacy in statehouses and Congress, coalition-building, and accountability work with media and technology institutions. The role will also support a growing workstream on AI transparency and accountability at the state, multi-state, and federal levels. The Policy Director and Counsel brings policy, legal, and strategic expertise to teams across the organization; leads research to inform positions and campaigns; and communicates the organization’s work to policymakers, partners, and the public. The position develops policy and legal strategies, supervises Senior Policy Manager(s), reviews legislative and advocacy materials, leads watchdog and regulatory efforts, and contributes legal analysis to litigation strategy. It also builds coalitions and external relationships, represents Common Cause publicly, and collaborates with state teams and organizational departments. This is a full-time, supervisory position reporting to the Senior Policy Director, Media & Technology. It is remote-eligible anywhere in the lower 48 United States. Common Cause strongly prefers someone based in the DC area who can work from its office at least two days per week. The role requires travel up to six times per year for team and/or all-staff retreats. The organization hopes the successful candidate can start in February. The position is not part of the union-represented collective bargaining unit. Common Cause cannot sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa.

Requirements

Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school.
Membership in good standing in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.
Demonstrated subject-matter expertise in issues related to the Media & Technology pillar.
Experience managing at least one staff member, intern, and/or fellow.
Experience taking policy ideas from concept through execution, including drafting proposals, conducting legal analysis, building support, and implementing reforms.
Demonstrated knowledge of the national political dynamic and of leaders and decision-makers within at least one state.
Experience managing coalitions or groups representing stakeholders with diverse interests to achieve a goal.
Track record of leading organization-wide change initiatives.
Experience leading successful state-level or national public advocacy campaigns related to media and/or technology.
Experience with the federal legislative process within at least one state, including policy research and analysis, policy development, legislative drafting, legislative advocacy and lobbying, and policy implementation.
Ability to travel up to six times per year for team and/or all-staff retreats.
Willingness to have a social media presence on behalf of Common Cause, including being tagged in posts and creating content as needed.
Must not currently hold elected office or be running for office, serve on the Steering Committee or Finance Committee for a political candidate, or be affiliated with the leadership of a political party, in accordance with Common Cause’s nonpartisan policy.
Authorization to work in the United States; Common Cause cannot sponsor employment visas.
Commitment to Common Cause’s nonpartisan mission and advancing civil rights through its pro-democracy agenda.
Ability to collaborate and build rapport, trust, and credibility with stakeholders who have diverse interests.
Innovative and strategic thinking, ability to navigate ambiguity, and resourcefulness in solving problems.
Ability to navigate organizational and power dynamics, respectfully manage conflict, and influence others toward common goals.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain complex concepts to broad and varied audiences; media speaking experience is ideal.
Ability to manage deadlines across multiple short- and long-term priorities, with attention to detail, strong organization, and independent time management.
Commitment to equity in both work goals and collaboration with others.
Openness to feedback and awareness of personal strengths and growth areas.
Familiarity with Microsoft Office, Slack, and Zoom.
Ability to work from the DC office at least two days per week is preferred; remote work is eligible anywhere in the lower 48 United States.

Nice To Haves

Based in the DC area and able to work from the office at least two days per week.
Knowledge of federal-level leaders and decision-makers, and ideally established relationships with relevant stakeholders.
Experience with the federal legislative process at the federal level, in addition to at least one state.
Experience speaking to the media.

Responsibilities

Lead proactive state, multi-state, and federal policy and legal strategies within the Media & Technology pillar, anticipating emerging threats and opportunities.
Supervise Senior Policy Manager(s), including setting goals, providing coaching and feedback, and supporting professional development.
Conduct legal review of bills, testimony, and model legislation for accuracy, consistency, and alignment with organizational priorities.
Lead watchdog and regulatory work, including drafting FCC and FTC comments, contributing to amicus briefs, coordinating with state Attorneys General, and advancing media and technology strategy.
Conduct legal and policy research to identify opportunities to advance reform and legal strategy within the media and technology portfolio.
Develop policy and legal briefs, reports, and other materials that communicate findings, recommendations, and positions to internal and external audiences.
Collaborate with state staff and other teams to track policy and legal issues, legislative developments, and regulatory changes affecting the pillar.
Support litigation strategy through legal analysis, drafting and reviewing briefs or memos, and contributing subject-matter expertise to cases.
Monitor and assess policy proposals’ effectiveness, evaluating their impact and identifying areas for improvement.
Build strategic external relationships and represent Common Cause in coalitions and convenings in support of organizational policy priorities.
Provide legal and policy expertise to coalition partners and allied organizations on surveillance and antitrust issues.
Work with the Litigation team to identify and cultivate relationships with pro bono law firms.
Facilitate inclusive collaboration among stakeholders and identify opportunities for thought partnership and joint action.
Serve as a key organizational spokesperson on policy matters, engaging with media, public officials, and other influential entities.
Work with senior policy staff and state teams to identify and leverage policy and legal wins across states.
Collaborate with External Affairs, Campaigns and Organizing, and States departments to amplify the impact of the work.
Collaborate with the development team to identify and secure funding, prepare materials, and participate in donor meetings as needed.
Complete administrative tasks and perform other duties as assigned.
Maintain a social media presence on behalf of Common Cause, including being tagged in posts and creating organizational content as needed.

Benefits

Healthcare plan covering 97% of employee medical care, and 100% of employee vision and dental benefits.
Family medical care coverage of 75%, and family vision and dental benefits coverage of 100%.
Long-term disability insurance.
Life insurance.
20 days of vacation per year.
10 observed holidays per year, plus additional days off for Thanksgiving and Winter break.
16 weeks of paid parental leave.
Flexible spending accounts.
401(k) retirement savings plan with immediate employer match.
Dependent care and pet care support when traveling for work.
Funds for professional development.