Senior Associate, Policy

Organization Overview

Since 2016, Across the Aisle™ — a nonpartisan, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization — has been providing young Americans (ages 14 to 35) with opportunities to learn, lead, and find bipartisan solutions to our country’s biggest challenges. 

We work with experts from both sides of the aisle to empower voters with reliable facts and a framework to make their own informed decisions. Our leadership programs identify and prepare students and early-career professionals from both parties for decision-making positions on Capitol Hill, in the executive branch, and in other public service roles. Our core policy areas include fiscal issues like the national debt and the federal budget, as well as entitlement programs like Social Security and Medicare.

Position Description

We are seeking a collaborative, positive, and team-oriented individual to oversee our fiscal policy portfolio. 

This role focuses on overseeing coverage of fiscal policy, including the national debt, the federal budget, and entitlement programs. The ideal candidate is passionate about these issues and brings a broad knowledge base that they are eager to share.

This role requires frequent travel, public speaking, and collaboration with our Communications & Marketing, Executive, and Leadership Programs teams.

Core Responsibilities 

• Demonstrate expertise in the organization’s fiscal policy portfolio, including - but not limited to - 
  
  • Maintaining a working knowledge of policy developments related to the federal budget, national debt, and entitlement programs, and 
  • Being prepared to answer detailed questions about a broad set of fiscal policy issues.
• Manage coverage of the issue portfolio, ensuring that information is accurate, unbiased, and up-to-date on a variety of AtA properties, including our
  
  • Email newsletter;
  • Social media accounts;
  • Website; and
  • In-person events. 
• Spearhead the development of in-person and digital policy education materials, including - but not limited to -
  
  • Developing and maintaining educational materials on the issue portfolio;
  • Delivering these materials to in-person and virtual audiences;
  • Ensuring materials effectively communicate and educate on key policy concepts;
  • Establishing strategies to ensure the efficacy of materials;
  • Collaborating with Communications & Marketing to identify opportunities to create content that engages our core audiences; and
  • Partnering with Leadership Programs to ensure synergy with the department’s goals and programming.
• Assist the Policy Department in developing and implementing special projects initiated by the Executive Office.
• Participate in in-person events held across the country, including delivering presentations to and answering questions from crowds of college students and young professionals. 

Note: This will require domestic travel during the academic year (September - May).

• Lead virtual events for student leaders, including delivering presentations, answering policy questions, and moderating guest speaker discussions. 

Note: This will require late workdays 3-4 times an academic semester.

Requirements

• A bachelor of arts degree in economics, political science, public policy, communications, or a related field.
• 4+ years of professional experience in a public policy environment with positions of increasing responsibility. 
  
  • Strong preference given to experience on Capitol Hill.
  • Strong preference given to experience in fiscal policy. 
• Excellent verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain complex policy issues in a clear, balanced, and accessible way that encourages discussion and engagement.
• Strong written communication skills. 
• Proven ability to work collaboratively with people who hold different perspectives, along with a strong respect for viewpoint diversity and informed debate.
• Able to meet the demands of an on-site event environment:
  
  • Ability to remain in a stationary position for an extended period of time.
  • Ability to lift and/or move boxes and equipment.
  • Ability to position oneself under tables or stages and/or lower oneself to the floor.

Benefits

AtA is proud to offer a generous benefits package, including:

• 5% employer 401(k) match 
• Unlimited Paid Time Off 
• QSERHA Healthcare Plan 
• Mac Laptop & Desktop
• TSA PreCheck and CLEAR Benefits