Program Manager, CA

We are looking for a collaborative and highly organized Program Manager to join the Common Cause team in California. In this role, you will lead and implement state programmatic efforts, manage relationships with key stakeholders, and coordinate advocacy activities to support our programmatic agenda. You will play a key part in advancing our mission to protect democracy and ensure the fair and equitable representation of all communities.

The Money in Politics Program Manager will lead statewide efforts to reduce the undue influence of wealthy donors, corporations, and special interests in California’s political system. The role focuses on advancing policies and coalitions that promote campaign finance reform, strengthen disclosure, and improve public financing of elections at the local and state level.

This position is ideal for someone passionate about building a more inclusive democracy, experience in policy advocacy, and skilled in organizing diverse coalitions and stakeholders.

This is a full-time role reporting to the Deputy Director of California and based in California, with an expectation to travel around the state at least 8-12 days per quarter. We hope our new Program Manager will start in October.

Responsibilities

Manage state programmatic work and campaigns

· Lead the execution of the California team’s statewide Money in Politics (MIP) program, shaping annual priorities, campaigns, and long-term strategy; work on other programs as well as needed

· Support coalition work, including managing working groups or project groups within coalitions, to include organizing meetings, coordinating actions, and ensuring effective communication among coalition members

Lead policy research, analysis, and the identification of opportunities for policy proposals to advance Common Cause’s state goals

· Draft, edit, and disseminate policy briefs, reports, and advocacy materials to inform and engage decision-makers and stakeholders

· Monitor legislation and regulatory developments at the local, state, and federal level relevant to money in politics

· Advocate for campaign finance reforms such as public financing and contribution limits

Outreach and stakeholder engagement

· Build and sustain coalition with grassroots organizations, legal advocates, labor, racial justice groups, and good government allies

· In collaboration with the Deputy Director of California, execute outreach campaigns to educate the public on priority issues and encourage active participation in advocacy efforts

· Engage and educate elected officials, government agencies, and allies on key campaign finance issues

· Represent Common Cause in public hearing, policy coalition, and negotiations with lawmakers and administrative bodies

· Collaborate with communications team to develop fact sheets, op-eds, reports, and toolkits that translate complex policy issues for public audiences

· Coordinate digital and social media campaigns to engage members and stakeholders, ensuring messaging aligns with Common Cause’s values and goals

· Serve as a spokesperson on money in politics issues, including in media interviews, panels, and public events

Supervise temporary staff and interns

· Recruit, train, coordinate and mentor interns and volunteers

Provide fundraising and advisory board support

· Support fundraising efforts, including writing grants, cultivating donor relationships, and managing reporting requirements

· Assist with administrative tasks related to the state advisory board, including organizing meetings, preparing materials, and facilitating effective board engagement

· Track and report campaign milestones, deliverables, and metrics for grant reporting

Perform administrative and other duties

· Complete administrative tasks as needed

· Perform other duties as assigned

• A strong commitment to Common Cause’s nonpartisan mission and to advancing civil rights through our pro-democracy agenda   
• Strong understanding of money in politics issues including campaign finance models
• 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    
• Ability to build rapport, trust, and credibility with multiple stakeholders with diverse interests, and a track record of working collaboratively with others  
• 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

• Have worked on public advocacy campaigns related to democracy, elections, voting rights, campaign finance, or civil rights   
• Demonstrated knowledge of and strong interest in current statewide democracy issues, including voting rights, redistricting, campaign finance reform, disinformation, ethics, etc., with a demonstrated knowledge of the unique aspects of California’s political dynamic 
• Have managed coalitions or groups that represent stakeholders with diverse interests to achieve a goal 
• Have managed at least one staff member, 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 state office OR at various locations around the state up to 8-12 days per quarter, especially during the California legislative session
• 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

• This position is included in a union-represented collective bargaining unit and specific employment terms and conditions are subject to collective bargaining negotiations
• Common Cause is unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time; please note that if hired, you will be asked to produce documentation for authorization to work in the US

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.