Governors Safeguarding Democracy (GSD)is a governor-led alliance of Governors Action Alliance (GovAct). Founded in 2024, Governors Action Alliance (GovAct)is a nonpartisan, nonprofit initiative that supports governors in championing fundamental freedoms across the United States. Launched in late 2024, GSD is co-chaired by Governor J.B. Pritzker of Illinois and Governor Jared Polis of Colorado and helps governors collaborate to strengthen democracy by advancing policy that improves people's lives. GSD helps to marshal the collective strength, experience, and institutional knowledge in governors’ offices across the country to craft policies that protect institutions and serve people. Together, GSD aims to help push back against threats of autocracy and protect the systems of democracy that our country and our states depend on.

About the Policy Counsel Role

GSD is seeking a talented and experienced legal and policy professional with background in the democracy field to be its Policy Counsel. This role will help direct the policy and legal support and guidance offered to governors’ offices participating in the Governors Safeguarding Democracy (GSD) initiative. The Policy Counsel will work closely with GSD leadership and subject matter experts that partner with the GSD team and will report to GSD’s Managing Director.

We anticipate an efficient hiring process for this role and expect candidates to be available to start no later than July 15, 2025.

Key Responsibilities:

● Project Management and Coordination: Steward and manage a work plan to execute on GSD’s goals by establishing clear timelines and deliverables and roles and responsibilities, and by tracking progress to goals. Project management will also include coordinating briefings, trainings, and other convenings and materials for Governors’ office staff on a range of issues. The Policy Counsel will also be expected to track deliverables and benchmarks for achieving GSD’s goals based on state budget and legislative cycles.

● Policy Analysis and Content Creation: Field inquiries from partners and coordinate communications within GovAct. Draft, review, and manage the sharing of written deliverables on critical democracy issues, ensuring clarity, accuracy, and alignment with GovAct’s mission. Proactively identify and analyze emergent issues relevant to GSD’s mission and scope of work.

● Rapid Response Support to Governors’ Offices: Field incoming requests from Governors’ Offices and work across GSD and GovAct to help mobilize rapid responses, including with respect to operations, policy, and strategic communications.

● Governors’ Office Support and Engagement: Support GSD leadership in building and fostering strong relationships with Governors' Office staff to understand their needs and provide tailored support and resources to meet those needs.

● External Partner Engagement: Support broader GSD team’s outreach to external partners to engage and support coordination of key stakeholders, including local and national policymakers and advocacy groups, consultants, and others.

Qualifications:

● Experience: A minimum of 5-7 years of legal, policy, advocacy, government, or other related experience – ideally in democracy, federal and/or state government, and/or adjacent areas.

● Skills: Exceptional research, writing, and communication skills, with the ability to produce high-quality written work products on short timelines; and a demonstrated ability to build cross-cutting relationships.

● Knowledge: Deep understanding of democratic processes, particularly with respect to emergency response, state government operations, and public policy. Additional knowledge of immigration-related work, federal funding matters, and/or state governance would be helpful.

● Entrepreneurial Spirit: Ability to thrive in a fast-paced and rapidly growing startup operating in constantly changing political and legal environments. Sense of humor appreciated!

● Leadership: Experience handling fast-paced projects and collaborating with diverse stakeholders.

● Judgment: Ability to exercise sound judgment on highly sensitive policy and political matters in fast-paced environments.

● Education: Candidates must have a law degree from an accredited law school.

Benefits:

Governors Safeguarding Democracy is a part of the Governors Action Alliance (GovAct). GovAct provides all employees 12 paid holidays and 30 paid days off. GovAct provides an excellent benefits plan, including parental leave, medical, dental, vision, short-term, and long-term disability; wellness, technology, and professional development stipends; and a robust 401K program.

Working at GovAct:

Governors Safeguarding Democracy (GSD) is a part of Governors Action Alliance (GovAct). At GovAct, we celebrate a culture of belonging and are committed to cultivating and nurturing a workplace of diversity, equity, and inclusion. GovAct encourages individuals to apply for this position who are of underrepresented backgrounds including, for example, race, ethnicity, religion, gender identity, and sexual orientation.

About GovAct:

Founded in 2024, Governors Action Alliance (GovAct) is a nonpartisan platform that supports governors in championing fundamental freedoms across the United States. Currently, GovAct supports the 23-Governor Reproductive Freedom Alliance, the Governors Safeguarding Democracy Alliance, and other governor collaborations. Additional initiatives will be developed based on Governors’ needs and interests. GovAct is a fiscally sponsored project of Global Impact, a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. GovAct & Affiliates Fund is a fiscally sponsored project of Global Impact Social Welfare Fund, a 501(c)(4) organization.

TO APPLY:

Please submit your resume and cover letter at https://www.npag.com/gsd-pc. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

GovAct is an equal opportunity employer.

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