Senior Political Research Lead – Candidate Vetting

Lever, Inc.; Arlington (VA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) match

Health plan

Dental plan

Wellness programs

Job summary

Americans for Prosperity (AFP) seeks a Deputy Political Research Director to lead a team researching and vetting policy positions of candidates across gubernatorial, state legislative, congressional, and Senate races. You will partner with the Political Research Director and cross-functional teams to build vetting strategies and produce research products that inform organizational decisions.

The role supports AFP within the Stand Together community and offers a competitive benefits package and a

Qualifications

• 5+ years in political or electoral research on campaigns or committees.
• Proven ability to uncover candidate details that change public positions.
• Strong organizational skills to manage multiple projects in fast-paced environments.
• Proactive, collaborative communication with stakeholders.
• Sound judgment; unbiased, accurate reporting.
• Alignment with AFP's political engagement approach.
• Commitment to Stand Together values: transformation, innovation, entrepreneurship, humility, respect.

Responsibilities

• 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.

Skills

Political research

Team leadership

Organizational skills

Proactive communication

Judgment

Policy analysis

Stand Together values

Job description

Americans for Prosperity (AFP) seeks a Deputy Political Research Director to lead a team researching and vetting policy positions of candidates across gubernatorial, state legislative, congressional, and Senate races. You will partner with the Political Research Director and cross-functional teams to build vetting strategies and produce research products that inform organizational decisions.

The role supports AFP within the Stand Together community and offers a competitive benefits package and a