Policy Director & Counsel, Voting and Fair Representation

We are looking for a Policy Director & Counsel, Voting & Fair Representation to join our work to advance state, multi-state and federal policy wins on voting rights, election administration, and fair representation issues. This role will take ownership of issues within the Voting & Fair Representation pillar—from ideation through execution. 

The Policy Director & Counsel will collaborate with departments and teams across the organization, providing strategic guidance and legal analysis, conducting research to strategically support our issues, and amplifying our issues externally. This role is ideal for a proactive thinker who thrives on anticipating what’s next in the democracy landscape and translating research and analysis into actionable strategies. 

This is a full-time role reporting to the Senior Policy Director & Counsel, Voting & Fair Representation; this role is remote anywhere within the lower 48 United States, though we have a strong preference for someone who is based in DC and who can work in our office at least two days per week. Priority will be given to candidates who apply by November 15, 2026. We hope our new Policy Director & Counsel will start in January 2027. 

Responsibilities 

Strategic Leadership & Team Management 

• Lead development of proactive state, multi-state, and federal policy and legal strategies on issues within the Voting & Fair Representation pillar, anticipating emerging threats and opportunities and charting paths to advance our agenda 

• Work closely with senior policy staff, litigation staff, and state teams to align strategy and identify and leverage strategic opportunities for policy and legal wins within and across states 

• Manage the Policy Manager, Voting & Fair Representation: collaboratively set goals, coach and develop them towards these goals and support their career progression and retention at Common Cause 

Policy Research and Analysis  

• Proactively conduct legal and policy research to identify opportunities to advance reforms, anticipate new challenges, and shape innovative approaches to issues within the pillar  

• Develop policy and legal briefs, reports, and other materials that clearly communicate findings, recommendations, and positions for both internal and external audiences  

• Collaborate with state staff and other teams to track and monitor key policy and legal issues, legislative developments, and regulatory changes that affect our issues within the pillar 

• Support litigation strategy by conducting legal analysis, drafting and reviewing briefs or memos, and contributing substantive expertise to cases within the pillar 

Coalition Building and Stakeholder Engagement  

• Proactively build strategic external relationships and represent Common Cause in coalitions and external convenings, advocating for the organization's policy priorities and objectives  

• Facilitate productive and inclusive collaboration among stakeholders, identifying opportunities for thought-partnership and joint action to maximize the impact of our work 

• Serve as a key spokesperson for the organization on policy matters, engaging with media, public officials, and other influential entities to elevate Common Cause’s work  

Collaborate with teams across the organization  

• Collaborate with the External Affairs, Campaigns and Organizing, and States departments as needed to amplify impact of our work 

• Collaborate with the development team to identify and secure funding for our work, creating materials and joining meetings with donors as needed 

Administrative and Other Duties  

• Complete administrative tasks as needed  

• Perform other duties as assigned