Senior Policy Advisor

The Challenge and Opportunity

Responsive Gov helps policymakers find solutions that make government more efficient, accessible, and responsive to the needs of real human beings. We start with the mechanics of democracy: our key focus areas include practical pro-voter policies like Automatic Voter Registration and voter-centric election administration, structural reforms like proportional representation and state court reform, as well as efforts to modernize how state legislatures work. Then, we work to make democracy meet its promises. Government should provide customer service and material benefits at every touchpoint—from health benefits to taxes to the DMV. If we choose to come together with our neighbors to make up a democracy, that government must deliver well enough to make us choose participation.

The Organization

Building on a decade of success working in partnership with state political leaders from both parties, lawmakers, NGOs, and academic leaders, Responsive Gov is a hub for policy and technical experts, organizers, and government officials working together to craft pragmatic, human-centered policies designed to make government more responsive to all of us.

The Person

As Senior Policy Advisor, you will conduct and lead policy work within state-level policy campaigns, with the aim of supporting positive legislative or administrative actions and stopping or mitigating negative actions. You are a detail-oriented, proactive, and strategic professional looking for a flexible job in a fast-paced environment to help strengthen our democracy.

Key Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Develop an understanding of state legal and administrative environments to inform analysis of policy proposals and identify opportunities for pro-active change

Conduct rapid analysis of complex policy issues, including review of legislative and administrative proposals and court rulings, delivering clear and concise written and verbal analysis and concrete recommendations

Leverage strong judgment to provide strategic guidance on key policy decisions and prioritization

Serve as a subject matter expert on our policy portfolio, coordinating with other team members as necessary to ensure timely and thorough analysis

Educate stakeholders and advocacy groups on policy proposals and relevant analysis

Prepare well-crafted policy briefs, reports, and advocacy materials with clarity and precision

Advocate for policy reforms in meetings, legislative hearings, presentations, and written communications

Skills and Qualifications

The Ideal Candidate is:

Committed to our core mission of supporting democracy

Committed to resilience and dynamic perseverance in the face of evolving strategic challenges

Eager to continue to scale existing campaigns, open new doorways, and forge new, strategic partnerships

A self-starter, with an ability to quickly integrate and explain complicated policy concepts in an accessible way

A strong writer and communicator, with an ability to convey complex concepts concisely

Dedicated to producing results and maximizing impact

Strong at prioritization and strategic decision-making

Excited to tackle new projects and ideas

Creative and solution-oriented

Comfortable in a fast-paced environment

Flexible and able to work in a remote structure

Oriented towards what is and could be possible at all times, embodying an abundance mindset

A do-er and connector, not a “meetings for the sake of meetings” person

Education and Experience

Legal background required to assist in navigating regulatory frameworks and policy impacts

Experience in state legislative processes, government relations, or policy advocacy is desirable

Subject matter expertise in Voter Registration/Voting, State Court Reform, Proportional Representation, and/or Government Administration (State Capacity) Reform & Red Tape Reduction is highly desirable

Proven ability to build and maintain relationships with stakeholders from a variety of ideological backgrounds

The Tangible Good

We are committed to providing our employees with a competitive, comprehensive benefits program that gives staff and their families the support they need to lead healthy, productive lives. The compensation and benefits package for this role includes:

Compensation

Annualized salary range of $135,000 – $155,000

401(k) program with a 3% employer contribution plus a 3% employer match that is fully vested day one

Monthly cellphone and wellness stipends

Health and Wellness

Comprehensive health insurance (medical – platinum PPO, dental, vision) with 100% of premiums fully covered for employees and dependents

Generous health reimbursement account (HRA) that is 100% employer-paid and is intended to offset co-pay, deductible, and a variety of other health-related expenses incurred by employees and dependents

Short and long-term disability and a $50K term life/accidental death benefits that are 100% employer paid

Employee Assistance Plan (EAP) and care navigation assistance, up to 12 free video sessions on Talkspace annually, discounts on services provided through OneMedical and Kindbody

Time-off

15 company holidays (including a week-long winter break from December 25th through December 31st) and 4 floating holidays

20 days of front-loaded vacation time and 10 days of personal leave annually (pro-rated based on start date)

Reduced Summer Friday schedule, starting the week in which Memorial Day is observed and ending the week in which Labor Day is observed. In 2025, this includes the office being closed every other Friday during this period.

Apply here