Associate Director, External Affairs

ABOUT US
Democracy Fund is a foundation working to build an inclusive multiracial democracy that is open just resilient and trustworthy. Created by eBay founder and philanthropist Pierre Omidyar Democracy Fund and its partner organization Democracy Fund Voice have committed almost $425 million in grants to support those working to strengthen our democracy. Democracy Fund collaborates with grantees donors and other partners to change Americas flawed system by strengthening and expanding the pro-democracy movement defending against anti-democratic attacks and advancing structural change. To learn more visitand.

POSITION SUMMARY
Democracy Fund champions leaders and organizations who defend democracy and challenge our political system to be more open just resilient and trustworthy. We believe that experimentation learning and adaptation are key to the health and resilience of any system whether it is our organization or the American political system. As grantmakers we focus on listening and being of service to our grantees who are visionaries and our collaborators and on ways we can more deeply embed diversity equity and inclusion as values central to the success of our work and mission.

Since we believe in the power of human connection we follow a hybrid work model that balances remote flexibility with purposeful collaboration.Remote candidatesare required totravel to the D.C. office for all mandatory all-employee retreats (23 times per year) and periodic team-building sessions a few times a year. All required travel expenses will be fully covered by the foundation.While we prefer applicantsresidingin the Washington D.C. metro area (DMV) tofacilitateregular in-person engagement we may consider candidatesresidingin other locations for exceptional applications if we already have staff in those states.

ABOUT EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

External Affairs expandsDemocracyFunds influence and impact by connecting our strategy knowledge relationships and public believe that strong relationships paired with powerful narratives create the conditions for action and that neither works without the other.

The team works across areas of communications philanthropic partnerships campaigns and learning to mobilize more resources for democracy encourage funders to adopt practices that strengthen the field and help Democracy Fund and its partners respond effectively to a changing environment.

ROLE SUMMARY

The Associate Director is a senior leader on the External Affairs team responsible for turning External Affairs outcomes and organizational priorities into impactby leading the development advancement and operationalization of the partnerships-focused components of the External Affairs strategy. This includesphilanthropic partnerships campaigns and/or other special partnership with the Senior Director and Director this role helps set direction for the team and oversees the design and implementation of the major bodies of work withparticular responsibilityfor a partnerships and philanthropic organizingcampaign roleoperatesin a fast-moving environment where time-sensitive work and changing conditions are a regular part of the portfolio.

The Associate Director manages staff focused on campaigns special projects and program development;works as a co-strategist with program teams to advance their influence goals;and drives External Affairs-specific priorities. The role also coordinates manages and collaborates on priorities originatingwith organizational leadership. Combiningstrategy relationship building people management adaptability and disciplined execution the Associate Directorhelps attract more resources to democracy work and improve how philanthropy supports the field.

This position reports to the Director Impact and Integration External Affairs and works closely with the Senior Director of External Affairs Democracy Funds President and Vice President program leadership and staff and other colleagues across the organization. The role also supports Democracy Fund Voiceour 501(c)(4) partner organization.

The Associate Directors primary responsibilities will include but are not limited to the following:

• Provide strategic leadership for philanthropic partnerships campaigns and special projects that advance External Affairs outcomes and organizational Affairs outcomes include ata high level:
  • Donor influence and field leadership
  • Strengthened philanthropic resources and practice
  • Expanded and diversified funding base
  • Institutional and sectoral resilience

• Effectively manage and develop staff with distinct portfolios creating clarity coordination and shared accountability across campaigns and program development.

• Design and lead philanthropic campaigns that mobilize resources strengthen funding practices and help pro-democracy organizations respond to emerging opportunities and threats.

• Serve as a co-strategist to program teams translating program influence goals into actionable funder engagement partnership and campaign strategies.

• Coordinate high-priority work originating with the President Vice President or program leadership clarifyingownershipand driving work from concept through execution.

• Maintain momentum in a changing environment by recognizing when strategies or plans need to shift developing creative alternatives and helping staff and partners adapt while staying focused on the intended outcomes.

• Contribute to the three-person External Affairs leadership team by setting direction managing tradeoffsmonitoringprogress and adapting the teams work as conditions change.

• RepresentDemocracyFund with funders partners and other external audiences and build trusted relationships that extend the organizations reach and influence.

• Take onadditionalduties andprojects asassigned.

• Partner with the Senior Director and Director to set External Affairs priorities translate strategy into annual and near-term plans and make clear choices about sequencing capacity and tradeoffs.

• Contribute to team and organizational planning learning budgeting and risk assessment; surface implications and decisions to senior leaders ina timelyway.

• Bring an integrated perspective across External Affairs (partnershipsandcommunications); Strategy Impact and Learning (SIL);and program strategiesso that relationships messages and activities reinforce one another.

• Track developments in democracy philanthropy and the organizations operating environment and recommend where External Affairs should deepen adapt accelerate or stop work.

• Oversee a portfolio of partnerships campaigns and special projects ensuring each effort has clear goals decision rights workplanscommunication practices measures of progress opportunities for learning and impact assessment and connection to broader External Affairs outcomes.

• As part of the three-person EA leadership body this role shares decision-making authority over team direction priorities and tradeoffs not just coordination or execution.

• Develop and lead strategies to organize align and activate funders around urgent needs longer-term opportunities and shared approaches tostrengtheningdemocracy.

• Design philanthropic campaigns that combine compelling goals credible messengers useful information funder engagement and clear opportunities for action.

• Build and steward trusted relationships with funders philanthropic networks advisors and other partners who can expand resources and improve practice in the pro-democracy field.

• Partner with communications-focused colleagues to develop campaign narratives materials events and outreach strategies tailored to philanthropic audiences.

• Partner with learning andimpactcolleagues to evaluate partnership and campaign results capture lessons and use evidence and feedback to strengthen future efforts.

• Serve as a primary strategic partner to program leadership on influence goals helping define the audiences relationships messages and actions needed to advance them.

• Represent External Affairs in internal planning and strategy discussions and communicate decisions dependencies and risks back to the team.

• Facilitate cross-functional working groups and decision-making processes when a priority requires contributions from multiple teams or leaders.

• Connect program teams to relevant External Affairs capabilities and ensure requests are assessed and prioritized against team capacity and organizational goals.

• Coordinate manage or advise on high-priority initiatives requested by the President Vice President or program leadership establishing scope roles timelines and decision points.

• Translate program knowledge and emerging needs into clear opportunities for funder education coordination and action without positioning Democracy Fund as the sole broker or gatekeeper.

• Build alignment and influence across teams and stakeholders with different areas of expertise authority incentives and perspectives using sound judgment and relationship-building to move complex work forward.

TEAM MEMBER AND LEADER

• Manage coach and develop staff responsible for campaigns/special projects and program development setting clear goals andexpectationsandprovidingtimelyguidance feedback and performance evaluation.

• Create shared direction across differentiated roles helping staff understand how their portfolios connect and where collaboration or coordinated sequencing isrequired.

• Create clarity and shared accountability across differentiated roles delegating meaningful ownership whileremainingaccountable for quality progress stakeholder management and results.

• Build a team culture grounded in trust candor learning inclusion collaboration and follow-through.

• Support staff in navigating ambiguity competing demands complex relationships and changing external conditions.

• Contribute to effective External Affairs leadership team meetings retreats workflows and communication practices.

• Embody positive accountable high-impact organizational citizenship as a leader manager and contributor to the External Affairs strategy and organizational mission and vision.

EDUCATION EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS REQUIREMENTS

• A strong commitment and proven high-impact experience relatedto strengthening American democracy and to Democracy Funds mission and values including racial equity and justice.

• A high levelof integrity that embodies and reflects Democracy Fund values.

• 8-10 years of experience working in roles that engage in philanthropic field-building with a preference for pro-democracy work or experience working across issue areas sectors or fields and the ability toidentifyopportunities to connect funders and ideas across traditional boundaries.

• At least 4 years ofdemonstratedmanagement responsibilities with a demonstrated ability to set expectations coach and develop staff give useful feedback manage performance and build an effective and inclusive team.

• Demonstrated experience designing and leading complex campaigns partnerships or multi-stakeholder initiatives from strategy through implementation and learning.

• Strong knowledge of philanthropy and how funders make decisions collaborate learn and respond to emerging needs;demonstratedexperience organizing funders or philanthropic stakeholders toward collective action; and an established network of philanthropic relationships.

• Experience working within an intermediary funder collaborative donor networkphilanthropy-serving organization or similar setting is highly valued.

• An established network among funders within or outside the traditional democracy/philanthropy ecosystem including areas such as health climate or otherfieldsis preferred.

• Excellent relationship-building skills and the judgment to work effectively with senior leaders funders programmatic experts grantees consultants and colleagues across different roles and perspectives arerequired.

• Strong project and portfolio management skills including the ability to manage multiple concurrent priorities clarify ownership maintain momentum and improve systems and workflows.

• Demonstrated ability to lead through ambiguity and change including reassessing plans making timely course corrections and developing practical creative solutions when circumstances shift.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills including the ability to synthesize nuanced information facilitate productive discussions and present recommendations to senior audiences.

• Soundjudgment organizational awareness discretion and comfort operating in situations with ambiguity urgency or reputational sensitivity.

• A collaborative leadership style paired with initiative creativity accountability and a willingness to make decisions and drive work forward.

Democracy Fund is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race color religion gender sex (including pregnancy) national origin disability age veteran status or any other legally protected class under federal state or local law.