Deputy Political Research Director

Abundance Network; Arlington (VA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) match

Health plan

Dental plan

Mental health support

Career growth

Job summary

Americans for Prosperity (AFP) is seeking a Deputy Political Research Director to lead a research team evaluating the policy positions of candidates across gubernatorial, state, congressional, and Senate races. You will partner with AFP teams to build vetting strategies and deliver research products that inform organizational strategies.

You must have 5+ years of electoral research experience, a track record of uncovering details that shift interpretations, and the ability to manage multiple

Qualifications

• 5+ years of political or electoral research experience.
• Track record of uncovering details in a candidate's record that change how their position is understood.
• Strong organizational skills in a fast-paced environment.
• Proactive communication with stakeholders and collaboration.
• Ability to present information accurately and without bias.
• Strong alignment with AFP's vision and Stand Together's approach.

Responsibilities

• Lead the research team to set long-term vision and goals.
• Track priorities and manage bottlenecks to keep work moving.
• Innovate vetting strategies and tools to assess policy alignment.
• Conduct in-depth research on high-priority candidates and deliver clear recommendations.
• Produce opposition research that is accurate, defensible, and scrutinizable.
• Collaborate with grassroots stakeholders and cross-functional teams.

Skills

Electoral research

Team leadership

Project management

Communication

Judgement

Job description

Americans for Prosperity (AFP) is the premier grassroots organization focused on advocating solutions to the country’s greatest challenges. We recognize that tens of millions of Americans are frustrated with the extreme partisanship in government that keeps common-sense reforms from being passed, and instead seek to stand with policy leaders who are committed to finding a better way.

Americans for Prosperity is part of the Stand Together philanthropic community.

Help elect policy champions. As Deputy Political Research Director at Americans for Prosperity (AFP), you'll work alongside the Political Research Director to lead a team that researches and vets the policy positions of current and prospective candidates. Your work will span gubernatorial, state legislative, congressional, and Senate races.

You’ll partner with teams across the organization to build vetting strategies that identify candidates who will advance AFP's policy priorities. Your team will also create research products that inform other key organizational strategies.

How You Will Contribute

• Work with the Political Research Director to set and share the research team's long-term vision and goals

• Track research priorities and spot bottlenecks early to keep work moving

• Innovate on our candidate vetting strategy and the tools we use to assess policy alignment and reputational risk

• Conduct in-depth research on high-priority candidates and deliver clear recommendations to organizational leaders

• Produce opposition research that is accurate, defensible, and able to withstand scrutiny

• Collaborate with grassroots stakeholders, including Government Affairs, Policy, and State Chapters

What You Will Bring

• 5+ years of political or electoral research experience, such as work on local, state, or federal campaigns, political committees, Super PACs, or consulting

• A track record of success finding details in a candidate's record that change how their position is understood

• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects at once in a fast-paced, high-urgency environment

• Proactive communication that keeps stakeholders informed, plus a record of effective collaboration

• Sound judgment and a commitment to presenting information accurately and without bias

• Strong alignment with AFP's vision and approach to political engagement

• Enthusiasm to contribute to Stand Together's vision and principled approach to solving problems, and a commitment to stewarding our culture, which champions values including transformation and innovation, entrepreneurialism, humility, and respect.

Stand Out Candidates Will Bring

• Experience supervising, mentoring, or coaching a team of researchers or campaign operatives

• Demonstrated expertise in electoral research, political campaign management, or other related fields

• A significant depth of knowledge of the policy and electoral landscape

What We Offer

• Competitive benefits: Enjoy a 6% 401(k) match with immediate vesting, flexible time off, comprehensive health and dental plans, plus wellness and mental health support through Peloton and Talkspace.

• A meaningful career: Join a passionate community of over 1,300 employees dedicated to improving lives and driving innovative solutions to complex social challenges.

• Commitment to growth: Thrive in a non-hierarchical environment that empowers employees to discover, develop and apply their unique talents.

For this role, the anticipated base salary range is $110,000–$140,000 per year. This role may also be eligible for additional bonus compensation designed to align total compensation with an employee’s overall contribution to the organization.

Our Principles-Based Management™ (PBM) compensation philosophy is grounded in an individualized approach that rewards the long‑term value each person creates for the organization. Compensation decisions are informed by a variety of factors, including relevant experience, capabilities, demonstrated skills, role responsibilities, and expected contribution. Consistent with this approach, base salary may vary within or outside of the anticipated range based on these considerations.

Our Values: Working for an organization within the Stand Together philanthropic community is different from many other places. The culture is deeply rooted in Principle Based Management® (PBM®), a framework guided by the principles that drive human progress, such as dignity, openness, and bottom‑up empowerment. PBM® empowers employees to be entrepreneurial, to innovate, and to continually drive transformation.

We believe diversity fuels creativity, broadens knowledge, and helps drive success. That is why we’re proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and strive to treat all employees and applicants with honesty, dignity, and respect.

110000 - 140000 USD a year