Senior Director of Policy and Research

IMPORTANT: This role can only be applied for via the Maneva Group website. Do not submit an application through this form or through other job board websites (e.g., LinkedIn Jobs, Indeed, ZipRecruiter, etc.).

The Economic Security Project (ESP) is seeking a Senior Director of Policy and Research to help lead its policy team. This is a senior leadership role in which the Senior Director will partner closely with the Vice President of Policy and Research to manage the department, from setting strategy and priorities to overseeing the budget and developing program managers.

The Senior Director will build a strong team and advance an ambitious policy and research agenda aimed at rebuilding economic security for working people. In this role, they will propose and direct original research, policy briefs, and factsheets, oversee a research fellowship program, and help drive ESP’s movement-building efforts—cultivating support for new economic ideas while representing the organization to partners, policymakers, and the public.

The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in economic policy, a track record of strategic coalition building, and a proven ability to mentor and manage high-performing teams. They possess a sharp analytical mind, navigating complex legislative landscapes with ease while translating bold economic concepts into actionable policy wins and public campaigns.

Key Responsibilities

Team Management (30%)

• Oversee the workflows that create our research and policy products and events and manage several program managers responsible for executing that work.

• Set short-term and long-term priorities across the team’s portfolio toward the highest-impact work.

• Coach, mentor, and develop program managers, including through regular feedback and support for their career growth.

• Serve as a member of the Senior Team, working as a connector across the organization, including campaigns, communications, and development, to make sure our work is well aligned.

• Build an inclusive, mission-driven team culture, modeling ESP’s core values in their everyday work and approach to team-building.

Policy Research Leadership and Strategy (50%)

• Develop team strategy, helping align our work for maximum impact in the short term, while aiming towards longer-term change over three to five years.

• Propose, plan, and execute projects to advance our work at the federal and state level.

• Oversee commissioned policy and research projects with external research partners.

• Support ESP colleagues in producing and understanding research relevant to their work, including by synthesizing external research for internal and external audiences, producing updated research, policy briefs, and factsheets.

• Support the ESP team in writing or preparing for events or media opportunities related to research.

• Work with ESP’s executive and development teams to support fundraising via writing and meeting with funders.

• Ensure the methodological quality, analytical rigor, and strength of arguments in what we produce and that policy initiatives draw on diverse expertise and the experiences of affected communities.

External Engagement and Ideas Advocacy (20%)

• Develop and lead initiatives to advance new economic policy ideas, with a particular emphasis on building broader external support across partners for our agenda.

• Build and sustain partnerships with academics, think tanks, advocacy organizations, community-based groups, and peer organizations to share our work and build support.

• Provide technical assistance to policymakers and partner groups on policy impacts and policy design.

• Partner with our ESP events team to host workshops, convenings, and meetings that bring partners together around our agenda.

The Economic Security Project (ESP) advocates for ideas that build economic power for all Americans by legitimizing bold concepts through cutting-edge research and the elevation of key champions. By winning concrete policy victories for communities in immediate need and provoking conventional wisdom, the organization actively shifts the boundaries of what is considered possible in the economic landscape. Their diverse team of academics, organizers, practitioners, and culture makers facilitates this change by disbursing grants, running targeted issue campaigns, developing creative interventions, and convening leaders to spur broader investment and collective action.

By convening thousands through strategic briefings and marquee events, ESP has successfully set a bold agenda for a more just political economy. Their advocacy led to the modernization of tax codes in over seven states and secured more than $1 trillion in direct relief for families during the pandemic, including a pivotal federal campaign for the expanded Child Tax Credit. These cash-based interventions famously “defied gravity” by reducing poverty in the midst of a recession. Beyond policy wins, they have fortified the field by investing over $25 million into groundbreaking research, grassroots coalitions, and narrative interventions that advance racial and economic justice. Through these efforts, they have moved once-radical ideas into the mainstream, championing a vision where individuals possess the agency to be the true authors of their own lives.

The Economic Security Project fosters a high-performance, remote-first culture rooted in accountability and growth. Committed to diversity and inclusion, ESP ensures its policies are informed by diverse lived experiences while investing heavily in professional development. ESP supports employee well-being through flexible remote work, regular office closures, and a five-year sabbatical program, balancing rigorous strategic planning with in-person connection and a spirited office culture.

Leadership & Competency Expectations

The ideal candidate will be outcome-oriented and bring a deep commitment to Economic Security Project’s mission.

While no single candidate will bring every competency, strong candidates will offer many of the following desired attributes:

• Solid track record in leading projects and developing colleagues, and readiness to take on formal management of a diverse team.

• Policy expertise in economic security, with familiarity with the economics and evidence on fixing broken markets (regulation, competition) and broken incomes (social insurance, taxes, wages).

• Careful editor and persuasive writer capable of distilling complex ideas for policy and public audiences.

• Proven track record of leadership and moving people on issues.

• Extensive experience liaising with policy experts, legislative staff, and government officials on economic policy issues.

• Familiarity with quantitative methods and experience working in a statistical programming language (e.g., R, Stata, Python).

• On top of the most current trends and debates on the economy.

• Strategist who enjoys seeking out new opportunities and is proactive in forming the right partnerships to advance our goals; familiarity with the economic policy, think tank, and advocacy community in Washington, DC.

• Excited to shift conventional wisdom on economic issues and develop ambitious ideas to improve people’s lives.

• Experience managing a departmental or project budget, with the ability to strategically allocate resources to maximize programmatic impact.

• Previous roles analyzing research, legislation, and white papers to identify the most important information and translate implications for different bodies of work.

• Collaborative team player who is strategic and solutions-oriented.

• Proactive self-starter who follows through, cares about outcomes and results, and approaches their work with rigor.

• Comfort with public speaking and presentations on policy topics.

Location, Compensation & Benefits

The Economic Security Project is a virtual office with staff across the country. This role is Remote.

The salary range for this position is $160,000 – $195,000, depending on experience and location. This role includes a comprehensive benefits package.

How to Express Interest

To express your interest in this opportunity, please submit your resume and cover letter via the Maneva website.

All inquiries and discussions will be handled with the utmost confidentiality. This position is available immediately, and applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the role is filled.