Associate

Orchestra; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, vision, and dental insurance

401(k) with employer contribution

Paid parental leave

Wellness days

Job summary

Civitas Public Affairs Group, an Orchestra company, is seeking an Associate to support client teams with research, memos, and project coordination across advocacy campaigns. This hybrid role requires three days in the office and two days remote, based in New York City, Boston, or DC.

You will help build work plans, produce memos and decks, and coordinate with partners while engaging with allies and stakeholders across a range of issues.

Qualifications

• 2–4 years of experience in politics, public affairs, advocacy, or related field.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, and analytic skills.
• Bachelor’s degree required.

Responsibilities

• Support client teams by creating and implementing work plans, memos, and presentation materials.
• Conduct research and develop memos, briefing materials, and other written products.
• Manage project deadlines and reporting requirements.
• Coordinate and participate in client meetings and calls, providing substantive input and expertise.
• Monitor relevant news, legislation, and political developments that may affect client work.

Skills

Policy research

Written and verbal communication

Project management

Relationship-building

Analytical thinking

Coalition-building

Microsoft Office

Google Workspace

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Google Workspace

Job description

OPEN POSITION: Associate

LOCATION: Boston, MA, Washington, DC, or New York City, NY

Civitas Public Affairs Group, an Orchestra company, is a values-based public affairs firm that delivers winning advocacy campaigns for our clients and the communities they serve. We enlist experts, leverage relationships, and build coalitions to address some of the most pressing political and societal challenges of our day, including climate change, protecting our democracy, reproductive health, and advancing the rights of LGBTQ people.

Our bipartisan firm brings proven experience developing innovative advocacy campaigns to win substantive policy change at the local, state, and national levels. With offices in Boston, New York City, and Washington DC, we work closely with the nation’s leading philanthropists, non-profit organizations, and movements to substantively impact progressive issues and causes.

Some of our current and former clients include the Black Futures Policy Institute, CityHealth, the Collaborative for Gender and Reproductive Equity, Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions, Center for Secure and Modern Elections, Inseparable, National Council for Mental Wellbeing, the Pipeline Fund, the Trevor Project, Voices for Healthy Kids, and more.

We are seeking an Associate to join our team. This is a hybrid position that requires three days in the office per week and two days of remote work.

About This Role

This role provides day-to-day support to our client teams, with responsibility for research, written products, and project coordination across a portfolio of advocacy campaigns, and reports to the Principal or Director leading each client team.

The Associate will help build and execute work plans, produce the memos, decks, and research that drive strategy, and serve as a reliable point of coordination across internal teams and external partners. Our work often involve building coalitions across political perspectives, and this role will engage with allies, validators, and stakeholders across a range of issues and backgrounds. This requires curiosity, sound judgment, and an understanding of how advocacy campaigns engage decisionmakers and build support for policy change.

This is an opportunity for someone early in their career to gain hands‑on experience in policy and strategy while working closely with experienced political and policy professionals.

Accountabilities And Qualifications

• Support client teams in creating and implementing work plans, written documents, presentation materials, travel, and research;
• Conduct research and help develop memos, presentations, briefing materials, and other written products
• Manage project deadlines and reporting requirements, and handle the administrative tasks that keep projects moving forward;
• Coordinate and participate in internal and external client meetings and calls, and contribute substantive thinking to the work, both in execution of the project as well as issue expertise;
• Monitor relevant news, legislation, and political developments and flag issues that may affect client work;
• Take direction from client leads, clarify assignments and expectations, and follow projects through to completion;
• Build and maintain working relationships with relevant partner organizations, coalitions, and stakeholders representing a broad range of perspectives;
• Help manage Civitas’ social media accounts, primarily reposting and curating content across relevant platforms;
• Support logistics and execution for meetings, convenings, and partner engagements;
• Perform other duties as required and/or assigned.

Essential Skills

• 2-4 years of experience in politics, electoral campaigns, public affairs, advocacy, or a related field with campaign experience strongly preferred;
• Experience supporting strategy and execution in one or more of the following areas: advocacy, legislative or regulatory affairs, government relations, policy, or political engagement;
• Excellent written/verbal communication, and analytic skills, including the ability to explain complex issues clearly and concisely;
• Impeccable attention to detail;
• Strong relationship-building skills and the ability to work with diverse groups of people, organizations, and government agencies;
• Proactive, solutions-oriented approach, with a willingness to start from “yes,” clarify expectations, anticipate needs, and identify the real question behind an assignment;
• Demonstrated ability to take ownership of small projects from start to finish, including developing workplans, coordinating contributors, communicating progress, managing deadlines, and delivering polished work product;
• Strong computer and technology skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Office and Google Workspace;
• Bachelor’s degree required.

The salary range for this position is $65,000-$85,000 per year, commensurate with experience. This is a hybrid position that will require 3 days per week in the New York City/DC/Boston office. Civitas also offers opportunities for a bonus through an annual review process and an excellent benefits package including coverage for health, vision, and dental insurance premiums; paid parental leave; time off including vacation, holidays, and wellness days; 401(k) with an employer contribution and additional benefits.

Civitas Public Affairs is committed to creating a dynamic, multicultural, and diverse work environment. Candidates of color and of diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

Civitas Public Affairs is an equal opportunity employer.

Orchestra is the first communications company built for today’s media landscape. Since 2022, it’s acquired nine firms, including: BerlinRosen, Civitas Public Affairs Group, Derris, Glen Echo Group, Inkhouse, M18, Message Lab, Onward and Small Girls PR. It also launched Brightmode, a talent acquisition firm for communication professionals. Learn more at: www.orchestraco.com.