Program Associate (Pro-Democracy Initiatives)

Longwell Partners; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

100% medical insurance

401(k) matching

Metro-accessible location

Downtown DC office

Job summary

Longwell Partners in Washington, DC seeks a Program Associate to coordinate pro-democracy initiatives and support organizations advancing democratic institutions.

You will run point on the Democracy Innovation Fund, manage grantee and funder relationships, translate strategy into execution, and ensure compliance and robust program administration across the portfolio. This is a full-time, in-office role downtown DC.

Qualifications

• 4+ years of experience in political campaigns, Capitol Hill, public affairs, nonprofits, coalition management, journalism, or issue advocacy.
• Proven ability to manage multi-stakeholder initiatives under tight timelines.
• Strong writing and communication skills, with the ability to produce clear memos, summaries, and reports.
• Understanding of what resonates in Washington and with public audiences.
• Detail-driven and highly organized, with a bias toward action and follow-through.
• Ability to be in our downtown DC office five days a week. This is not a remote or hybrid role.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary point of contact and day-to-day coordinator for Democracy Innovation Fund grantees and partner organizations.
• Keep multi-track programs on schedule, flagging risks and driving accountability across all moving pieces.
• Prepare memos, reports, and program updates for funders and partners.
• Coordinate across communications, research, and external partners to advance project goals.
• Support the development and management of budgets and workplans.
• Assist with 501(c)(3) program administration and compliance as needed.

Skills

Writing

Coordination

Stakeholder management

Budgeting

Job description

Longwell Partners is a full-service, pro-democracy communications firm based in Washington, DC. We specialize in high-profile political projects, including The Bulwark, Home of the Brave, and Republican Voters Against Trump, and we are looking for a Program Associate to help coordinate major pro-democracy initiatives and support the organizations working to strengthen democratic institutions.

If you are a detail-driven, mission-oriented operator who thrives on keeping complex projects moving and wants your work to matter in the real world, this role is for you.

About the role

This role is for someone who can run point on a portfolio of pro-democracy programs and keep them humming. You will work closely with senior leadership and serve as the day-to-day lead on the Democracy Innovation Fund (DIF), a cross-organizational initiative that supports and coordinates pro-democracy projects across the center-right. You will help translate strategy into execution, manage relationships with grantees and funders, and ensure that everything stays on track and on mission. A significant portion of this work involves 501(c)(3) compliance and program administration.

Your responsibilities

• Serve as the primary point of contact and day-to-day coordinator for Democracy Innovation Fund grantees and partner organizations.
• Keep multi-track programs on schedule, flagging risks and driving accountability across all moving pieces.
• Prepare memos, reports, and program updates for funders and partners.
• Coordinate across communications, research, and external partners to advance project goals.
• Support the development and management of budgets and workplans.
• Assist with 501(c)(3) program administration and compliance as needed.

What we're looking for

• 4+ years of experience in political campaigns, Capitol Hill, public affairs, nonprofits, coalition management, journalism, or issue advocacy.
• Proven ability to manage multi-stakeholder initiatives under tight timelines.
• Strong writing and communication skills, with the ability to produce clear memos, summaries, and reports.
• Understanding of what resonates in Washington and with public audiences.
• Comfort operating across political, philanthropic, and advocacy environments.
• Detail-driven and highly organized, with a bias toward action and follow-through.
• Ability to be in our downtown DC office five days a week. This is not a remote or hybrid role.

Preferred qualifications

• Experience coordinating coalitions or cross-organizational initiatives.
• Familiarity with philanthropic or grantmaking processes.
• Experience with 501(c)(3) program administration or nonprofit compliance.
• Experience in roles requiring diplomatic stakeholder management and strong political judgment
• Base salary range: $65,000 – $85,000
• 100% covered medical insurance
• 401(k) matching program
• Metro-accessible, downtown DC location
• Opportunities to learn, grow, and do work that strengthens democratic institutions and actually matters