One for Democracy Director of Policy, Ideas & Governance

Director of Policy, Ideas & Governance

About One for Democracy

One for Democracy is a philanthropic network that strengthens American democracy by investing in the leaders, institutions, and ideas needed to protect democratic institutions, improve government, and move the nation forward.

America is confronting a period of profound political, economic, and technological change. Public trust in government and other institutions has weakened, while many of the systems responsible for improving people’s lives have struggled to respond to new challenges. Meeting this moment will require a new generation of public leaders equipped with a compelling governing vision—and a set of ideas capable of rewriting the social contract for this era.

The pro-democracy movement must be prepared not only to defend democratic institutions, but also to demonstrate that those institutions can deliver tangible improvements in people’s lives.

Position Overview

One for Democracy seeks an entrepreneurial and intellectually curious leader to build and direct our Policy, Ideas & Governance portfolio.

The Director will identify, evaluate, and support the organizations, thinkers, and public leaders developing the ideas, policy solutions, and governing models that can strengthen democracy, rebuild public trust, and solve major public problems. The role sits at the intersection of philanthropy, policy, public leadership, and institutional reform, with a dual mandate: strengthen near-term governing capacity and help develop a broader agenda for the years ahead.

Working closely with One for Democracy’s senior leadership and network of donors, public officials, policy experts, and nonprofit partners, the Director will develop an investment strategy that strengthens the intellectual and governing capacity of the pro-democracy movement. Where critical capabilities or institutions do not yet exist, the Director will help build them.

Location

One for Democracy is based in New York City, and we strongly prefer candidates who are based in the New York area and able to work regularly from our office. The role will also require occasional travel for meetings with donors, partners, public officials, and other leaders across the country.

Responsibilities

Build the Policy & Ideas Portfolio

• Map the left-of-center policy and ideas ecosystem while tracking influential ideas emerging from across the ideological spectrum.
• Identify and evaluate underfunded organizations, scholars, think tanks, media projects, and policy entrepreneurs advancing new approaches to economic opportunity, tax policy, housing, AI, national security, democracy reform, institutional trust, abundance, state capacity, education, and government modernization.
• Develop and fund strategies to disseminate strong ideas and shape public-policy discourse among key thinkers, practitioners, and public leaders.
• Translate promising policy ideas into actionable governing agendas by connecting policy development with public-opinion research, narrative strategy, coalition building, and implementation planning.
• Develop investment recommendations for donors and organizational leadership.
• Build relationships with leading policy organizations, academic centers, think tanks, and emerging intellectual leaders.

Build the Governance Portfolio

• Develop strategies that help governors, mayors, members of Congress, and state legislators govern more effectively.
• Identify organizations that build governing capacity through policy development, staffing, executive management, legislative effectiveness, implementation support, communications, and talent pipelines.
• Build a network connecting public officials to policy expertise, implementation support, and proven governing practices.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen governing institutions and improve their ability to serve the public.
• Ensure that public leaders have the teams, policies, partnerships, and institutional support required to deliver meaningful results.

Landscape Analysis & Research

• Produce ongoing analysis of the policy, governance, and ideas landscape.
• Track emerging intellectual trends, policy debates, institutional innovations, and political realignments.
• Assess where philanthropic investment can have the greatest leverage.
• Brief donors, public officials, and partners on key developments and their strategic implications.

Portfolio Development

• Source, diligence, and evaluate prospective grantees.
• Develop theories of change and success metrics for each investment.
• Monitor partner performance and identify opportunities for collaboration across the broader portfolio.
• Help shape One for Democracy’s long-term strategy for expanding its policy and governance work.

Qualifications

This is a senior-level position requiring significant experience, sound judgment, intellectual curiosity, and strategic thinking. Successful candidates will have demonstrated an ability to navigate complex policy questions, build trusted relationships, and turn ideas into actionable strategies. They may come from philanthropy, public policy, think tanks, government, public-sector strategy, journalism, academic research, legislative leadership, or executive offices.

Ideal candidates will have:

• Deep knowledge of the American policy landscape and governing institutions.
• A strong grasp of how ideas shape public debate and public opinion, and how institutional and political realities affect which ideas can be implemented.
• Excellent research and analytical skills.
• The ability to synthesize complex information into clear strategic recommendations.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Comfort engaging senior public officials, donors, academics, and nonprofit leaders.
• The ability to build coalitions and encourage collaboration among organizations with different capabilities and perspectives.
• An entrepreneurial mindset and a willingness to build something new.

Compensation

The salary range for this position is $200,000–$225,000, commensurate with experience, plus a competitive benefits package.