Policy Manager

Issue One • Washington, DC

7d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Policy Manager is a central member of Issue One’s Policy Team, which shapes Issue One’s reform agenda, provides evidence-based guidance, and equips the organization with actionable insights to advance democratic reforms. The Policy Manager will primarily focus on election protection and constitutional defense, but may support the team’s other functions–money in politics and tech reform. Issue One’s election protection works toward an election system that is fair and representative, so every voter has an equal voice; trusted, so results are widely accepted; and resilient, so no one seeking power can manipulate elections at the expense of the people. Our constitutional defense work focuses on asserting Congress’s Article 1 powers and preventing executive overreach. The Policy Manager will also provide cross-team policy and research support for Issue One’s other two areas of focus: technology reform and money in politics reform. This role requires translating research and analysis into practical policy recommendations, producing articles and reports, supporting advocacy and public education efforts, and collaborating across teams to ensure policy priorities are rigorous, credible, and aligned with Issue One’s long-term strategy.

Requirements

• Minimum 5 years of relevant experience in elections policy, election administration, election protection, voting rights, democracy reform, or related fields.
• Demonstrated knowledge of U.S. election systems and processes, including election administration, voting laws, and election security issues.
• Strong research, analytical, and policy-writing skills, with experience producing memos, briefs, and published articles and/or reports.
• Experience working on advocacy efforts, such as planning events, campaigns, briefings, or other activities, to advance policy priorities.
• Experience monitoring legislation, court rulings, and/or regulatory developments related to elections and democratic institutions.
• Exceptional writing and editing skills, with the ability to translate complex concepts into clear and compelling content for internal and external audiences.
• Proven project management and organizational skills.
• Experience building coalitions and working with crosspartisan stakeholders.
• High level of organization, strong attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Demonstrated ability to successfully carry out projects with minimal supervision.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work collaboratively across teams.
• Comfort working in a fast-paced environment with shifting priorities.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and comfortability with spreadsheets.
• Commitment to Issue One’s cross-partisan mission and to strengthening American democracy.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace.
• Bachelor’s degree required

Nice To Haves

• Experience working with policymakers, advocacy organizations, and/or bipartisan coalitions is strongly preferred.
• Advanced degree preferred.

Responsibilities

• Monitor and analyze federal and state legislation, litigation, and executive actions affecting election administration and processes, as well as democratic institutions, Congress’s Article 1 powers, and preventing executive branch overreach.
• Conduct research and produce policy analyses on threats to free and fair elections, including partisan efforts to tilt the playing field and challenges facing election officials, as well as on asserting Congress’s constitutional powers.
• Develop policy recommendations, legislative proposals, and reform frameworks to strengthen election systems and institutional guardrails against executive overreach.
• Draft policy memos, briefings, reports, and talking points for internal teams, policymakers, and partners.
• Plan and support advocacy activities such as Hill briefings, public events, coalition engagement, scorecards, and/or toolkits to advance policy priorities and strengthen democratic norms.
• Translate research into actionable strategies and actions for crosspartisan campaigns, public education initiatives, and rapid-response interventions that reinforce election integrity and constitutional defense.
• Provide timely analysis of court rulings, legislative developments, and emerging election-related and constitutional defense issues.
• Provide policy guidance and research support across Issue One’s other core areas, including money in politics and technology reform.
• Ensure consistency of policy analysis, messaging, and strategic frameworks across Issue One’s teams.
• Contribute to internal and external policy reports, public-facing materials, and coalition briefings.
• Support advocacy and engagement efforts such as coordinating stakeholder briefings, public campaigns, and/or coalition activities to advance policy priorities across Issue One’s issue areas.
• Contribute to the development of accountability tools, scorecards, and public trackers to reinforce democratic norms.
• Assist the Policy Director in strategy development, priority-setting, and long-term planning for the Policy Team.
• Coordinate cross-team projects, events, and briefings to advance organizational objectives.
• Supervise interns or other staff as needed.
• Support workflow and project management across multiple initiatives.

Benefits

• All full-time employees are eligible for a platinum health plan with 100% of the premium paid by Issue One. In addition, the organization covers 75% of the premium for all spouses and dependents of IO staff.
• Staff receives more than 50 paid days off annually, including holidays, vacation, personal time, and office-wide closures.
• Issue One provides reimbursements and stipends for commuting and any work-related travel.
• Issue One offers wellness reimbursements and student loan assistance.
• They are also eligible to be reimbursed for stepping outside of their comfort zone and doing something they have never done before.
• All staff are encouraged to participate in professional development throughout the year, and the organization hosts several opportunities for fun and fellowship.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager