State Campaign Strategist

Protect Democracy group; United States; Remote; USD 141,000 - 166,000; Full time

Job summary

Protect Democracy is hiring a State Campaign Strategist to lead efforts in advancing proportional representation through state ballot initiatives. This remote position requires strong campaign experience, political judgment, and collaboration with key coalitions to foster democratic engagement across multiple states.

Benefits

Flexible vacation policy (4-5 weeks per year)

401(k) plan with 6% employer match

Comprehensive health care plan covering dental and vision

Generous paid family leave policies

Home office stipend

Qualifications

• Minimum 8+ years of experience in state issue-based campaigning.
• Experience in leading state ballot initiative campaigns.
• Strong political judgment and experience in coalition building.

Responsibilities

• Advancing state ballot initiative work.
• Driving coalition strategy and development.
• Supporting the creation of advocacy materials.

Skills

Strategic problem solving

Project management

Public speaking

Policy writing

Coalition building

Job description

Protect Democracy is hiring a State Campaign Strategist to supercharge our efforts to advance proportional representation through state ballot initiatives

Protect Democracy is seeking a State Campaign Strategist to join our team advancing proportional representation in states, which is part of our long-term work to help build a thriving, pluralistic, multi-racial democracy.

Protect Democracy was formed in late 2016 with an urgent and explicit mission: to prevent American democracy from declining into a more authoritarian form of government. We are a cross-partisan team that defends democratic institutions and works to make real the full promise of our democracy by using the courts, legislatures, media, and every other tool available at the state and federal level. We believe that transitioning to proportional representation—where multiple members are elected per district to better reflect voter preferences—is essential to fixing the structural flaws in our democracy. Our Democracy of Tomorrow team has produced widely used reports, videos, and resources on proportional representation , helped bring new funding into the field, and worked to establish ourselves as subject-matter leaders—now, we’re building the power to make reform a reality.

This role is a unique opportunity to spearhead Protect Democracy’s efforts to improve our democracy through state ballot initiatives. In joining our team as a State Campaign Strategist, you’ll play a central role in shaping and executing our strategy across multiple states, helping build strong coalitions, expanding partnerships, and serving as a key connector between Protect Democracy and state campaign ecosystems. You’ll bring deep campaign experience and political judgment to bear as you identify where and how our resources, expertise, and advocacy can have the greatest impact. From advising on coalition strategy to drafting persuasive policy materials and supporting state-level policy change, you’ll be at the forefront of one of the most ambitious electoral reform efforts in the country. Specific subject matter expertise is not a requirement for this position.

This is a remote position based in the United States.* The priority deadline to apply for this role is May 25, 2025 ; we will review applications received after this date on a rolling basis. We anticipate this role joining our team in mid-July, but we have some flexibility with start dates. If you meet most but not all of the criteria listed below and believe nonetheless you’d be a stellar match for the role and could grow into it, we want to hear from you.

The State Campaign Strategist will:

Advance state ballot initiative work;

Serve as Protect Democracy’s voice in key coalitions;

Drive efforts to build and expand our partnerships, and (as appropriate) collaborate with state organizations on state-specific coalition strategy and development;

Coordinate strategy, tactics, and information sharing across various state-based ballot initiative campaigns;

Guide and support the creation of advocacy materials for in-state campaigns and advocates;

Take complex data and distill it into clear, powerful conclusions that are easy to communicate;

Assist with lobbying at the state and local levels;

Expand and monitor grants to state and local groups to advance proportional representation;

Work in alignment with the rest of Protect Democracy’s teams and projects to advance the organization’s broader mission;

Contribute to culture-building initiatives across the organization.

Job requirements

The ideal candidate brings:

Minimum 8+ years of experience in state issue-based campaigning;

Experience leading state ballot initiative campaigns;

A background in coalition building and community-based advocacy, with experience navigating relationships between national, state, and local stakeholders;

Strong political judgment and ability to navigate complex policy and stakeholder environments to appeal to diverse audiences—across the political spectrum and from a variety of backgrounds;

Flexibility and enthusiasm for deploying the campaign and coalition-building skillset to advance other projects at Protect Democracy beyond state proportional representation, pivoting as mission-critical needs arise;

Highly developed strategic problem solving and project management skills;

Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including public speaking and policy writing;

Ability to foster collaborative relationships and work in a team environment with people with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives;

Growth mindset and enthusiasm for giving and receiving feedback up, down and sideways;

A passionate commitment to the protection of democratic norms and institutions, an understanding that our democracy has never fully represented communities of color and commitment to advancing a pluralistic, multi-racial democracy, and unfettered enthusiasm for Protect Democracy’s cross-ideological and nonpartisan approach .

Compensation

The starting salary range for this role is $141,100 – $166,000, commensurate with the candidate’s relevant experience, capabilities, and skills, and in alignment with internal equity.

About Protect Democracy

*Flexible location. We are a remote-first organization based exclusively in the United States, meaning our staff work within the US and primarily virtually. We also offer shared workspaces for those who enjoy working in an office environment. We are established for remote work in many states across the country, and while candidates based anywhere in the United States are welcome to apply, we may not be able to offer employment in your current location. If you proceed in the hiring process, we will discuss where you currently live and what is possible in our initial interview. All staff are also required to travel at least two times per year to team retreats, and this role may require additional travel to meet with in-state partners in target states and to plan convenings or other stakeholder engagement sessions. (Accommodations to this requirement will be made only in exceptional circumstances.)

Commitment to an inclusive workplace. Protect Democracy is an equal opportunity employer. We believe that a broad range of backgrounds, perspectives, and lived experiences strengthens our ability to analyze problems, craft solutions, and drive meaningful change. Protect Democracy encourages applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, or veteran status.

Phenomenal benefits. Our benefits package includes generous sick leave and a flexible vacation policy where we encourage team members to take 4-5 weeks every year, along with 12 paid holidays, 4 weeks of paid family medical leave, and 18 weeks of paid parental leave. We also offer a 401(k) plan with up to 6% employer match that vests immediately, full coverage for an excellent health care plan that includes both dental and vision insurance, long-term disability and life insurance for all employees, a home office stipend, and as budget allows, discretionary bonuses.

Ample opportunities for personal & professional development. Candidates who do not meet all listed criteria should still apply, as our organizational structure focuses on providing mentorship and opportunities for professional growth.

The priority deadline to apply for this role is May 25, 2025 ; we will review applications received after this date on a rolling basis. To apply for this position, please complete the application linked below. You will be asked to upload your resume and cover letter and answer a short questionnaire. In your cover letter, please address your interest in Protect Democracy’s mission and any relevant experience you would bring to the role. Applications missing any of the required materials will be considered incomplete and not reviewed.

Keep an eye on your promotions/spam folders to avoid missed communication.

We are unable to provide status updates for each application we receive. If you reach out and do not hear back, please know it is not for lack of appreciation or interest, but simply for lack of staff capacity to respond to individual inquiries.

The application will include a voluntary EEO survey so that we can monitor the applicant pool as a whole for representation and equal employment opportunities, and to evaluate our progress as an organization toward a diverse and inclusive workforce, which we believe is a pillar of a thriving democracy. The categories used by the EEO survey are limited and may not reflect your lived experience; please feel free to opt out of any of the questions. Your responses to this survey are entirely separate from your application materials, are not accessible to those responsible for hiring decisions, and will not affect your candidacy in any way.