Program Manager, CA

Program Manager – Money in Politics, California

We are looking for a collaborative and highly organized Program Manager to join the Common Cause team in California. In this role, you will lead and implement state programmatic efforts, manage relationships with key stakeholders, and coordinate advocacy activities to support our programmatic agenda. You will play a key part in advancing our mission to protect democracy and ensure the fair and equitable representation of all communities.

The Money in Politics Program Manager will lead statewide efforts to reduce the undue influence of wealthy donors, corporations, and special interests in California’s political system. The role focuses on advancing policies and coalitions that promote campaign finance reform, strengthen disclosure, and improve public financing of elections at the local and state level.

This position is ideal for someone passionate about building a more inclusive democracy, experienced in policy advocacy, and skilled in organizing diverse coalitions and stakeholders.

This is a full-time role reporting to the Deputy Director of California and based in California, with an expectation to travel around the state at least 8–12 days per quarter. We hope our new Program Manager will start in October.

Responsibilities

Manage state programmatic work and campaigns

• Lead the execution of the California team’s statewide Money in Politics (MIP) program, shaping annual priorities, campaigns, and long-term strategy; work on other programs as needed.
• Support coalition work, including managing working groups or project groups within coalitions, organizing meetings, coordinating actions, and ensuring effective communication among coalition members.

Lead policy research, analysis, and identify opportunities for proposals

• Draft, edit, and disseminate policy briefs, reports, and advocacy materials to inform and engage decision-makers and stakeholders.
• Monitor legislation and regulatory developments at the local, state, and federal levels relevant to money in politics.
• Advocate for campaign finance reforms such as public financing and contribution limits.

Outreach and stakeholder engagement

• Build and sustain coalitions with grassroots organizations, legal advocates, labor, racial justice groups, and good government allies.
• In collaboration with the Deputy Director of California, execute outreach campaigns to educate the public and encourage active participation in advocacy efforts.
• Engage and educate elected officials, government agencies, and allies on key campaign finance issues.
• Represent Common Cause in public hearings, policy coalitions, and negotiations with lawmakers and administrative bodies.
• Collaborate with communications team to develop fact sheets, op-eds, reports, and toolkits that translate complex policy issues for public audiences.
• Coordinate digital and social media campaigns to engage members and stakeholders, ensuring messaging aligns with Common Cause’s values and goals.
• Serve as a spokesperson on money in politics issues, including media interviews, panels, and public events.

Supervise temporary staff and interns

• Recruit, train, coordinate, and mentor interns and volunteers.

Provide fundraising and advisory board support

• Support fundraising efforts, including writing grants, cultivating donor relationships, and managing reporting requirements.
• Assist with administrative tasks related to the state advisory board, including organizing meetings, preparing materials, and facilitating board engagement.
• Track and report campaign milestones, deliverables, and metrics for grant reporting.

Perform administrative and other duties

• Complete administrative tasks as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

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.
• Strong understanding of money in politics issues including campaign finance models.
• A commitment to equity in your goals and in how you work with others.
• Openness to feedback and awareness of your own strengths and areas for growth.
• Ability to build rapport, trust, and credibility with stakeholders of diverse interests; a track record of working collaboratively with others.
• Strong organization skills, with the ability to manage and meet deadlines for multiple short- and long-term priorities independently and with attention to detail.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to distill complex concepts for broad audiences and tailor messaging to specific stakeholders.
• Familiarity with productivity tools including Microsoft Office, Slack, and Zoom.

The following is required:

• Experience working on public advocacy campaigns related to democracy, elections, voting rights, campaign finance, or civil rights.
• Knowledge of and interest in statewide democracy issues (voting rights, redistricting, campaign finance reform, etc.), especially in the California political context.
• Experience managing coalitions or stakeholder groups with diverse interests to achieve a shared goal.
• Experience supervising at least one staff member, intern, or Fellow.
• Willingness to maintain a social media presence on behalf of Common Cause (accounts may be provided).
• Ability to travel 1–2 times per year for team or all-staff retreats.
• Ability to work in-person at the state office or various locations across California up to 8–12 days per quarter, especially during the legislative session.
• Per our nonpartisan policy, staff may not currently be in elected office, serve on political candidate steering or finance committees, or hold leadership roles in political parties.

Additional information about this role:

• This position is part of a union-represented collective bargaining unit; terms are subject to collective bargaining negotiations.
• Common Cause is unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time.
• Salary: $82,400 – $97,850 per year
• Geography-specific percentage increases may apply depending on location. Details here.

To ensure greater equity and transparency, Common Cause uses consistent salary ranges based on job responsibilities and years of relevant experience. We do not negotiate salary ranges or offers.

Benefits include:

• Healthcare plan covering 97% of employee’s medical, 100% of vision and dental; 75% of family medical, 100% of family vision and dental.
• Long-term disability and life insurance.
• 20 vacation days, 10 holidays, plus Thanksgiving and Winter break.
• 16 weeks of paid parental leave.
• Flexible spending accounts.
• 401(k) with immediate employer match.
• Dependent and pet care support for work travel.
• Professional development funds.
• More details available at https://www.commoncause.org/our-benefits/.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Common Cause is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applicants of all backgrounds, including race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, income class, political affiliation, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, and those previously incarcerated.

About Common Cause

Common Cause (501(c)(4)) and Common Cause Education Fund (501(c)(3)) are nonpartisan, nonprofit grassroots 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, promotes equal rights and representation, and empowers 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 in every congressional district and offices in 23 states.

Apply here