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Project Director

Reports to: Senior Vice President for National Security and International Policy

Department: National Security Policy

Staff reporting to this position: Deputy Director

Position classification: Exempt, full-time

Summary

The purpose of the Business Leaders for Sensible Priorities Project is to use the credibility of business people to challenge misplaced budget priorities and offer a progressive alternative to military spending driven by outdated force structures and foreign policy priorities. This project enlists business people as credible messengers in this important policy debate.

Business Leaders began as a national organization created by Ben Cohen (co-founder of Ben & Jerry’s) 10 years ago with 700 members, including the current or former heads of Phillips Van Heusen, CNN, Hasbro, Goldman Sachs, Black Entertainment Television, and others. As a project of American Progress, it will continue as the Business Leaders for Sensible Priorities to build out the voice of business on budget priorities.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

The entrepreneurial Project Director will be responsible for engaging participating business leaders, recruiting new business leaders, and developing political, communications, and engagement strategies. The Director will represent the business membership in the media and to decision-makers, and interact with high-level business members and other supporters and allies in coordination with CAP’s National Security and International Policy, Economic Policy, Communications, and External Affairs teams.

    Other responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:
  • Providing vision and leadership to staff and others working on the project
  • Directing all aspects of the project, including developing annual goals, plans, budgets, and benchmarks for evaluation
  • Developing, implementing, and managing fundraising plans in consultation with CAP’s development department
  • Integrating and coordinating work on this issue throughout the organization in order to broaden and deepen a constituency
  • Building and developing functioning and lasting coalitions with supporters and allies
  • Building community and political support for the project
  • Coordinating community and political outreach and mobilization
  • Drafting literature to support the project
  • Cultivating and stewarding the membership, while recruiting, training, and developing leaders
  • Supervising and mentoring staff

Requirements and Qualifications:

  • Ideal candidate will have policy development and business experience and credentials
  • Bachelor’s degree required
  • Ten years of high-level experience in all elements of organizing, political action, advocacy, issue, and political campaigns preferred
  • Proven track record of leading, planning, and implementing strategic campaigns at the national and local level
  • Strong leadership and interpersonal skills
  • Effective communication in one-on-one and group settings, both verbal and written
  • Ability to analyze key and timely issues and sensitive political situations
  • Ability to work independently to plan and carry out goals and timetables
  • Demonstrated high level of leadership, judgment, and management

Additional Information

American Progress operates two separate nonprofit organizations to maximize our progressive agenda: The Center for American Progress and the Center for American Progress Action Fund. This job posting refers collectively to the two organizations under the name “American Progress.” The Center for American Progress is a non-partisan 501(c)(3) tax-exempt research and educational institute. It undertakes research, public education and a limited amount of lobbying. The Center for American Progress Action Fund is a non-partisan 501(c)(4) tax-exempt organization dedicated to achieving progress through action. It works to transform progressive ideas into policy through rapid response communications, legislative action, grassroots organizing, political advocacy and partnerships with other progressive leaders. The organizations share office space and employees.

American Progress provides a very competitive compensation and benefits package.

American Progress is an equal opportunity employer; women, minorities, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

For more information on the Center for American Progress, please go to www.americanprogress.org.

For more information on the Center for American Progress Action Fund, please go to www.americanprogressaaction.org.

To apply, simply e-mail your Word resume and cover letter attachments to: jobs@americanprogress.org.

Or you may write to:
Center for American Progress
Attn: Human Resources Department
1333 H Street, NW, 10th Floor – National Security Policy
Washington, DC 20005

In your correspondence, please reference the exact title of the job you are applying for in the subject line. This announcement will remain posted until the position is filled. No phone calls please.

Please note that only those individuals whose qualifications match the current needs of this position will be considered applicants and will receive responses from American Progress.

Thank you for your interest in American Progress.