State Campaign Strategist

Protect Democracy is seeking a State Campaign Strategist to join our team advancing proportional representation in states, which is part of our long-term work to help build a thriving, pluralistic, multi-racial democracy.

Protect Democracy was formed in late 2016 with an urgent and explicit mission: to prevent American democracy from declining into a more authoritarian form of government. We are a cross-partisan team that defends democratic institutions and works to make real the full promise of our democracy by using the courts, legislatures, media, and every other tool available at the state and federal level. We believe that transitioning to proportional representation—where multiple members are elected per district to better reflect voter preferences—is essential to fixing the structural flaws in our democracy. Our Democracy of Tomorrow team has produced widely used reports, videos, and resources on proportional representation, helped bring new funding into the field, and worked to establish ourselves as subject-matter leaders—now, we’re building the power to make reform a reality. 

This role is a unique opportunity to spearhead Protect Democracy’s efforts to improve our democracy through state ballot initiatives. In joining our team as a State Campaign Strategist, you’ll play a central role in shaping and executing our strategy across multiple states, helping build strong coalitions, expanding partnerships, and serving as a key connector between Protect Democracy and state campaign ecosystems. You’ll bring deep campaign experience and political judgment to bear as you identify where and how our resources, expertise, and advocacy can have the greatest impact. From advising on coalition strategy to drafting persuasive policy materials and supporting state-level policy change, you’ll be at the forefront of one of the most ambitious electoral reform efforts in the country. Specific subject matter expertise is not a requirement for this position.

This is a remote position based in the United States.* The priority deadline to apply for this role is May 25, 2025; we will review applications received after this date on a rolling basis. We anticipate this role joining our team in mid-July, but we have some flexibility with start dates. If you meet most but not all of the criteria listed below and believe nonetheless you’d be a stellar match for the role and could grow into it, we want to hear from you.

The State Campaign Strategist will:

• Advance state ballot initiative work;

• Serve as Protect Democracy’s voice in key coalitions;

• Drive efforts to build and expand our partnerships, and (as appropriate) collaborate with state organizations on state-specific coalition strategy and development;

• Coordinate strategy, tactics, and information sharing across various state-based ballot initiative campaigns;

• Write fact sheets, news releases, blogs, op-eds, and other advocacy materials on electoral reform for use by in-state campaigns and advocates;

• Take complex data and distill it into clear, powerful conclusions that are easy to communicate;

• Assist with lobbying at the state and local levels;

• Expand and monitor grants to state and local groups to advance proportional representation;

• Work in alignment with the rest of Protect Democracy’s teams and projects to advance the organization’s broader mission;

• Contribute to culture-building initiatives across the organization.