Job Description
Description
Protect Democracy seeks an Editorial Specialist to support our exceptional in-house editorial team with writing and editing content for our flagship newsletter ( If you can keep it), website, social media, and more. In this position, you will play a key role in translating policy, legal, and technical expertise across the organization into readable, accessible, and actionable newsletter, website, and publication materials.
Protect Democracy was formed in late 2016 with an urgent and explicit mission: to prevent our democracy from declining into a more authoritarian form of government. We have since assembled a team of 120+ experts who have served under Democrats and Republicans, and in the senior ranks of other nonprofit, political, or media organizations. Our team includes lawyers, policy experts, legislative advocates, media strategists, writers, data analysts, software developers, and more.
This is a fast-paced, writing-heavy role that requires a strong and authoritative written voice matching our unique brand. This is an excellent opportunity for strong writers with some policy analysis skills looking to expand their publication experience. By joining this team, you can expect to work directly with prominent experts across the pro-democracy ecosystem to advance key insights and analysis. In doing so, you will help shape public debate around the authoritarian threat in a way that — hopefully — helps ensure our democracy survives.
The priority application deadline for the Comms Strategist role is March 15; we will review applications received after that date on a rolling basis. This is a remote position based in the United States.*
At Protect Democracy, we believe that diversity isn’t just a strength — it’s a necessity for tackling the complex challenges facing our country today. A broad range of backgrounds, perspectives, and lived experiences strengthen our ability to analyze problems, craft solutions, and drive meaningful change. We strongly encourage candidates from diverse backgrounds and from across the political and ideological spectrum to apply.
The Editorial Specialist will:
Develop, write, and edit our weekly newsletter;
Edit and coordinate the pipeline for weekly Insights posts by various experts;
Regularly write articles, op-eds, blog posts, website copy, and other materials — both ghostwritten and under your own byline;
Collaborate with other writers and experts on standalone special series, symposia, and long-form pieces;
Draft social media copy, especially in connection with edited articles and newsletter pieces;
Coordinate with members of the design team on graphics, interactives, and other design-heavy products;
Strategize with other team members and actively contribute ideas during project brainstorming sessions;
Collaborate with project teams to propose new written products/editorial approaches as part of our integrated advocacy strategy;
Contribute to culture-building initiatives across the organization.
Requirements
The ideal candidate brings:
Exceptional writing skills, including the ability to distill complex topics quickly and accurately on tight deadlines;
Experience writing about policy and/or legal issues for external audiences;
Experience with copy-editing and proofreading according to a style guide;
Ability to foster collaborative relationships and work in a team environment with people with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives;
Ability to track, prioritize, and drive forward a diverse pipeline of pieces, projects, and responsibilities;
Growth mindset and enthusiasm for giving and receiving feedback up, down, and sideways;
A passionate commitment to the preservation of democratic norms and institutions, and to improving those institutions to ensure they fully represent communities of color.
Pluses, but not requirements:
- Fluency with social media and alternative media platforms.
Compensation
The starting salary range for this role is $84,000-$94,000, commensurate with the candidate’s relevant experience, capabilities, and skills and in alignment with internal equity.
Application instructions
The priority application deadline for the Comms Strategist role is March 15. Please note applications missing any of the required materials will be considered incomplete and not reviewed.
To apply for this position, please complete the form linked below. You will be asked to upload your resume and cover letter as PDFs — in your cover letter, please address:
Why Protect Democracy’s mission appeals to you, and
How this role would move you toward your professional goals.
For your writing sample, please share 1-3 pages on a policy or legal topic, ideally for a non-specialist audience.This could take the form of a blog post, article, remarks, op-ed, or any other external-facing content.
About Protect Democracy
* Flexible location. We are a remote-first organization based exclusively in the United States, meaning our staff work within the US and primarily virtually. We also offer shared workspaces for those who enjoy working in an office environment. We are established for remote work in many states across the country, and while candidates based anywhere in the United States are welcome to apply, we may not be able to offer employment in your current location. If you proceed in the hiring process, we will discuss where you currently live and what is possible in our initial interview. All staff are also required to travel at least two times per year to team retreats, and this role also requires periodic travel. (Accommodations to this requirement will be made only in exceptional circumstances.)
Commitment to an inclusive workplace. Protect Democracy is an equal opportunity employer. We believe that a broad range of backgrounds, perspectives, and lived experiences strengthens our ability to analyze problems, craft solutions, and drive meaningful change. Protect Democracy encourages applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, or veteran status.
Phenomenal benefits. Our benefits package includes generous sick leave and a flexible vacation policy where we encourage team members to take 4-5 weeks every year, along with 12 paid holidays, 6 weeks of paid family medical leave, and 18 weeks of paid parental leave. We also offer a 401(k) plan with up to 6% employer match that vests immediately. Additionally, we cover employee medical premiums at 100% (with up to 95% coverage for dependents depending on plan selection), and employee and dependent’s dental/vision at 100%. All employees have access to long-term disability and life insurance, fertility benefits, a home office stipend, and bonuses at the discretion of the Executive Director.
Ample opportunities for personal & professional development. Candidates who do not meet all listed criteria should still apply, as our organizational structure focuses on providing mentorship and opportunities for professional growth.
Important notes
Contact [email protected] if you require specific accommodations at any point in the hiring process.
Keep an eye on your promotions/spam folders to avoid missed communication.
We are unable to provide status updates for each application we receive. If you reach out and do not hear back, please know it is not for lack of appreciation or interest, but simply for lack of staff capacity to respond to individual inquiries.
The application will include a voluntary EEO survey so that we can monitor the applicant pool as a whole for representation and equal employment opportunities, and to evaluate our progress as an organization toward a diverse and inclusive workforce, which we believe is a pillar of a thriving democracy. The categories used by the EEO survey are limited and may not reflect your lived experience; please feel free to opt out of any of the questions. Your responses to this survey are entirely separate from your application materials, are not accessible to those responsible for hiring decisions, and will not affect your candidacy in any way.
