Legislative Director, California

We are looking for a Legislative Director to set the vision for and manage the legislative portfolio for Common Cause in California. This is an exciting opportunity for someone with strong collaboration and policy skills who can join us to lead our work at the State Capitol.    

This role will work closely with the State Director as well as teammates, board members, and partners, and will build relationships to be our ambassador at the State Capitol. This role will work to advance our policy agenda at the state capitol so that we are building a more inclusive, equitable, representative, and trustworthy democracy in our state. 

This is a full-time role reporting to the Executive Director and based in Northern California, with an expectation to travel to the California State Capitol at least 3 days per week (up to 5 times per week during legislative session). We hope our new Legislative Director will start in December. 

Responsibilities

• In partnership with the State Director and Deputy Director, set and execute the long-term strategy for state-wide policy development and democracy reform  
• Manage all aspects of the legislative process for Common Cause in California, including developing ideas for and drafting legislation, determining strategies to advocate for legislation, finding bill authors, lobbying, testifying at legislative hearings, and negotiating amendments   
• Act as the team’s primary representative in meetings with elected leaders, legislative leaders, and other critical stakeholders  

• Build relationships with key legislative staff at the state capitol to help advance our policy agenda  
• Collaborate with program staff to leverage their subject matter expertise to support our advocacy efforts  
• Build and lead coalitions of civil rights, tech/AI, civic engagement, and community-based organizations from across the state, and act as a representative at the capitol for our work with these organizations   
• Lead coalition meetings, manage cross-sector relationships, and represent Common Cause in external policy discussions, public forums, and legislative hearings 
• Coordinate efforts with coalition partners on joint advocacy strategies, including lobbying campaigns, grassroots mobilization, and media outreach 
• Act as a spokesperson for Common Cause, delivering testimony, making public statements, and representing the organization in high-level meetings and legislative events 
• Manage consultants and contractors as needed to ensure Common Cause’s legislative agenda is successful 

• Lead legislative advocacy campaigns, including creating policy proposals, drafting position papers, providing testimony, and organizing strategic outreach efforts to support legislative action 
• Provide input on election protection activities 

• Write op-eds, research reports, legislative factsheets, policy briefs, and memos   
• Draft policy memos for the advisory board and members  
• Contribute to copy for policy-related social media posts, website content, and other communications  
• Make on-the-record statements to the press, and speak at press conferences or rallies  
• Understand best practices for effective engagement with Common Cause members and the public to support our legislative agenda 

• Collaborate with the State Director and fundraising team to identify and pursue funding opportunities to support policy and legislative advocacy. 
• Act as the primary communicator with our state board on legislative and policy priorities; facilitating discussions on policy with the board as needed  
• Support fundraising efforts by engaging with key donors, grant makers, and funding organizations to cultivate financial support for state programs and initiatives. 
• Write and develop updates and share successes through written updates and funder briefs  

• Complete administrative tasks as required, including logistics for legislative advocacy activities, stakeholder engagement, and coalition meetings. 
• Manage lobbying filings on behalf of Common Cause in California 
• Perform other duties as assigned 

• A strong commitment to Common Cause’s nonpartisan mission and to advancing civil rights through our pro-democracy agenda      
• Have an understanding of A.I/Tech policy and the legislative and executive branch dynamics 
• A commitment to equity in the goals of your work and in how you work with others  
• Openness to feedback and awareness of your own strengths and areas for growth     
• An ability to build rapport, trust, and credibility with multiple stakeholders with diverse interests, with a track record of working collaboratively with others, navigating organizational and power dynamics to meet common goals, and respectfully navigating conflict while maintaining your values  
• Innovative and strategic thinking skills, with the ability to navigate through ambiguity to achieve goals, and a resourceful approach to solve problems 
• Ability to manage and meet deadlines for multiple short- and long-term priorities at once, with high attention to detail; strong organization skills, and the ability to manage your time independently   
• Ability to compel action through both written and verbal communication, including distilling complex concepts for a broad audience, and to differentiate communications as needed for various audiences 
• Familiarity with office productivity tools including Microsoft Office, Slack, and Zoom 

• Demonstrated experience with the California legislative process, including policy research and analysis, policy development, legislative drafting, legislative advocacy and lobbying, and policy implementation  
• Have led successful local- or state-level public advocacy campaigns related to democracy, elections, voting rights and civil rights, including creating and managing campaign or annual plans, from conception through implementation and completion      
• Have managed coalitions or groups that represent stakeholders with diverse interests to achieve a goal, as well as a demonstrated knowledge of funders and decision-makers at the state level, with a preference for candidates who have existing relationships with these people and organizations
• Have managed at least one staff member, consultant, intern and/or Fellow     
• Willing to have a social media presence on behalf of Common Cause, including being tagged on posts and creating content on behalf of the organization (as needed, Common Cause may provide accounts for staff members to use)  
• Ability to travel 1-2 times per year for team and/or all staff retreats 
• Ability to work in-person in the California Common Cause Sacramento office OR at various locations around the state up to 1-2 days per week, especially during legislative sessions, conferences, gatherings and election protection work 
• Per our nonpartisan policy, Common Cause staff members may not currently be in elected office (or running for office); on the Steering Committee or Finance Committee for any political candidate; or affiliated with the leadership of a political party 

Common Cause is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applicants of any race, creed, color, religion, ethnicity, national origin, income class, political affiliation, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, veteran status, or marital status, as well as applicants who have been previously incarcerated. 

Common Cause (501(c)(4)) and Common Cause Education Fund (501(c)(3)) are nonpartisan, nonprofit grassroots affiliate organizations dedicated to upholding the core values of American democracy. We work to create an open, honest, and accountable government that serves the public interest; promote equal rights, opportunity, and representation for all; and empower all people to make their voices heard in the political process.   

Founded in 1970 and headquartered in Washington, DC, Common Cause has members and supporters living in every congressional district in the United States, and offices in 23 states around the country.