Description

Two nationally recognized University of Arizona centers are recruiting a joint Engagement Manager in Washington DC. The National Institute for Civil Discourse (“NICD”) builds the nation’s capacity to engage our differences more constructively. Working with the over 50,000 members of its flagship CommonSense American (CSA) program, NICD identifies federal legislative solutions wise enough to attract grassroots support across the nation’s political divisions. CommonSense American is three-for-three in helping champion those solutions into law—ending surprise medical billing in 2020, investing in physical infrastructure in 2021, and fortifying peaceful transition of power through updating the Electoral Count Act in 2022.

The Center for the Philosophy of Freedom (“Freedom Center” or “FC”) facilitates critical thinking about freedom, responsibility, justice, and the good society. Under this mission, in 2020 the FC launched a new Master of Legal Studies with a concentration in law and economics (“MLS L&E”), in partnership with the James E. Roger College of Law. The MLS L&E is designed to provide the skills needed for professionals whose work involves both economic and legal issues, including state legislators.

The joint position is based at the University of Arizona’s new Washington DC Center for Outreach and Collaboration which includes a state-of-the-art conference center. Located at 1301 Pennsylvania Ave NW with views of the Washington Monument, the DC Center is three blocks from the White House and overlooks Freedom Plaza.

The Engagement Manager works with the NICD Executive Director, Deputy Director, and staff as well as with the FC Director, Associate Director and staff to advance the Centers’ missions. In his or her NICD responsibilities, the Engagement Manager primarily focuses on advancing the work of NICD’s CommonSense American and Next Generation programs. In his or her FC responsibilities, the Engagement Manager is the face of the FC in Washington DC. As the FC seeks to realize the advantages of the UA DC Center and establish a greater presence in Washington, the Engagement Manager is responsible for organizing events, outreach and collaboration in the nation’s capital. Many of the Engagement Manager’s responsibilities will focus on the growing collaboration between NICD and the FC. For example, the Centers are working together to provide leadership training for state and local officials. To this extent, the Engagement Manager is also the link between the initiatives developed under NICD’s Next Generation program and the initiatives pursued by the FC in its mission to educate state legislators whether through the vehicle of the L&E MLS or other projects.

The ideal candidate possesses exceptional organizational and program management skills. They will also be skilled in communication, data, and using technology. Competitive candidates should also have a keen interest in, and understanding of, American politics and the ability to appreciate and articulate the diverse political perspectives that characterize the nation.

Compensation is $65,000 to $100,000 (DOE, compensation includes salary and a 16% geographical stipend). Outstanding University of Arizona benefits include generous health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; and paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays.

Requirements

Duties and Responsibilities

 NICD Roles

• CommonSense American program: Leads engagement with more than 50,000 members, including email engagement through an automated email platform. Coordinates recruitment of new members, including reporting and analysis of paid social media recruitment campaigns. Helps develop issue briefs and conducts analysis and reporting of results from issues polls with members. Also coordinates outreach and scheduling briefings with Members of Congress and their staff on issue poll results, including conducting briefings. 
• Next Generation program: Works with Next Generation staff in coordinating and conducting programs and workshops for state legislatures and at annual meetings of national networks of state legislators, along with programs for other state and local officials such as county and city leaders.

 FC Roles

• Events and Activities: Organizes convenings and other activities at the DC Center and throughout the capital.
• Collaboration: Coordinates collaboration in Washington between the FC and other units within the University of Arizona. Also coordinates collaboration with other DC area organizations and national and state associations of elected officials.
• Outreach: Connects with Washington DC audiences, including Members of Congress and their staff, federal agencies, think tanks and other civil society organizations, academics and research institutions, and NGOs to inform them about the FC’s mission and resources and to engage them in FC center events and activities. Also connects with state legislators and their staff, including informing them about, and recruiting them to, the MLS L&E program, as well as reaching out to national and state associations of elected officials.
• Communication: Keeps the FC leadership informed about the activities of NICD’s Next Generation program, including about Next Generation’s workshops for state legislators, and Next Generation’s strategic planning to expand the number of state legislatures engaged in civil discourse.

NICD–Freedom Center Collaboration: Helps coordinate joint initiatives to provide leadership training and other events for congressional and federal agency staff as well as state and local officials, with particular focus on state legislators but also including county and city officials.

 Minimum Qualifications

• B.A. or B.S. degree.
• Exceptional organizational and project management skills with impeccable attention to detail. Includes organizing meetings; identifying, tracking, and coordinating completion of action items; and leading multiple initiatives at a time.
• Exceptional communication skills, including written and oral communications.
• Driven, tenacious, organized, and resourceful in the pursuit of extraordinary results.
• Strong technical skills, including the efficient use of Microsoft Word and Google docs, Excel/Google sheets (including building spreadsheet formulas, V-lookups, pivot tables, and charts), PowerPoint, and Outlook/Gmail (including email merge).
• Strong data skills, including data organization, analysis, visualization, and reporting.