Description
Description:
The Center for Democracy & Technology is seeking a Director of Policy to lead CDT’s policy engagement and advocacy on critical issues of the digital age. The Director of Policy reports directly to the President/CEO and serves as an integral member of the senior leadership team. The Director spearheads the work of CDT’s U.S.-based project teams and staff, working closely with the Director of CDT Europe. The position is based in CDT’s Washington, DC office, with remote work currently in effect due to COVID-19.
This senior leadership position offers an exceptional opportunity to impact the most pressing issues in technology policy today. The Director drives CDT’s policy agenda, represents CDT before external audiences, and collaborates with CDT’s broad network of partners from civil society, academia, industry, and government. The Director manages a department of approximately 20 policy and technical experts, who are divided into project teams led by experienced Project Directors. We are seeking an experienced leader who possesses strong management skills, deep familiarity with technology policy issues, and a demonstrated commitment to advancing technology policies that protect democratic values, civil liberties, and civil rights.
About CDT
The Center for Democracy & Technology and CDT Europe (collectively, CDT) champion policies, laws, and technical designs that empower people to use technology for good – while protecting against invasive, discriminatory and exploitative uses. For 25 years, CDT has worked to ensure that the internet empowers, emboldens and equalizes people around the world. Today, CDT is at the center of societal debates about online speech, privacy, data and discrimination, surveillance and other key questions about the role of technology in people’s lives.
CDT pursues legislation at the state, national, and regional level in the US and EU; participates in agency rulemaking and other policy development processes; leads strategic litigation; builds advocacy coalitions; and promotes industry standards and practices that protect users’ civil rights and civil liberties. CDT’s work spans many issues, including but not limited to online speech, consumer privacy, surveillance, internet architecture, competition and election security. We take a rigorous approach that integrates legal, policy and technical expertise, with a focus on developing actionable policy solutions. You can read more about our work at cdt.org.
Key Responsibilities:
- Policy Direction. The Director of Policy shapes and executes CDT’s policy agenda, working closely with CDT’s CEO and project leaders. This work includes setting organizational priorities, identifying strategic opportunities, advancing CDT’s advocacy agenda, developing coalitions, and otherwise driving policy strategies and programs towards meaningful outcomes.
- Representation. The Director acts as a key representative before policymakers, regulatory agencies, civil society organizations, industry and the broader public. The Director must deliver CDT’s views in public testimony, at panel discussions, and public events with authority, clarity, and confidence, and work through the media to enhance and reinforce CDT’s visibility.
- Stakeholder Engagement. The Director works collaboratively with and strengthens CDT’s broad network, including civil society organizations, academics, and companies at the national and international level, building and maintaining relevant relationships in these communities. Work includes collaborating with members of CDT’s Working Groups, Advisory Council, Fellows Program, and Collaborating Attorneys Network.
- Project Work. The Director oversees the day-to-day execution of CDT’s policy work, including developing and reviewing advocacy materials and other written work, promoting cross-team collaboration, ensuring consistency of message, and ensuring the successful completion of grant-funded work.
- Management. The Director must provide effective management for CDT’s policy teams, fostering an environment that prioritizes diversity, creativity, collaboration, intellectual rigor, and expertise.
Qualifications:
- Significant technology policy experience and deep domain expertise, as demonstrated through career positions and/or written work
- A minimum of 10 years in relevant legal, policy, or advocacy positions, with increasing levels of responsibility and management experience. Law degree strongly preferred
- Demonstrated commitment to advancing technology policies and practices that protect democratic values, civil liberties, and civil rights
- Experience managing teams and fostering a collaborative culture among a range of subject matter experts
- Experience working in or with U.S. policymaking institutions and processes at the federal level (experience working at the state or international levels welcome)
- Experience building multi-stakeholder coalitions, influencing decision-makers, shaping legislation and/or leading impact litigation
- Excellent communication skills, with experience in public speaking, writing, and a demonstrated ability to communicate policy issues to the media and the public
- Experience managing budgets, external relationships and external resources (e.g. foundation grants) preferred
Compensation
CDT offers competitive compensation, and a generous benefits package that includes health care and dental coverage, a retirement plan, and paid vacation, sick, and parental leave.
Application:
Interested applicants can view the posting here.
Please send a cover letter and resume to hr@cdt.org. Deadline: Open until filled.
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