Director, Research

Democracy Revival Center
, a project of Goodnation Foundation, is hiring a Research Director to help build out and lead core components of the organization’s new Research program. This role will synthesize existing research and provide strategic support to an expanding network of aligned leaders and organizations working to build and execute campaigns that can advance structural changes to our democratic system.

We expect one core responsibility to entail developing and leading a portfolio on electoral system changes and multi‑party systems. (Applicants need not already possess expertise on the subject, but should be willing to learn!) Candidates should also regularly contribute to the program’s other research needs, such as research on alternative political systems abroad, Senate malapportionment, or structural reform processes at the state and local levels.

The right candidate will likely prove a high‑functioning generalist—more of a synthesist and translator than an original researcher. They should ideally already possess a relevant professional network, for example within the labor or economic justice movements.

This role is employed by Goodnation Foundation, fiscal sponsor of Democracy Revival Center.

Remote in the U.S.

Full‑time (40 hours/week), exempt, permanent employee; flexible schedule within standard business hours.

This role reports to the Vice President for Research.

The Democracy Revival Center, a project of Goodnation Foundation, is dedicated to fixing the cracks in the foundation of our political system. We build and advance a progressive, pro‑democracy framework to establish a new understanding of how our political system is contributing to the decline of our democracy—and how it could be revived. We develop and support the next generation of leaders and bring them into the fight for a more modern, democratic, representative political system.

We collaborate with key partners, leaders, and thinkers to promote new ideas about how to achieve it, and we support the formation of new social movement organizations and pro‑democracy campaigns to make that reality a reality.

Deploy expertise in, or develop expertise about, electoral systems and multiparty ism—as well as other new areas of research or bodies of knowledge.

Synthesize research from a range of disciplines to deepen and expand our analysis of the ways the basic structure of the political system has exacerbated the democratic crisis.

Translate this research and analysis into clear, engaging materials for use with a wide range of audiences.

Help develop plans and conduct research to support campaigns, across different movement traditions, from ideation to development to execution.

Hold relationships and lead shared programming with core organizational partners, with a particular focus on electoral system changes.

Excellent writing skills, with the ability to translate complex ideas and quantitative analyses into actionable strategies.

Experience managing campaigns, projects, or initiatives.

8+ years professional experience, including some experience conducting or leading campaign research—for example, policy, legal, financial, or related research for unions, community organizations, or other partners. Candidates with relevant additional experience may be eligible for a “Senior Director” title.

• Openness to the range of campaign strategies and organizing practices that make up progressive ecosystems.
• A generative co‑collaborator excited to devise and pitch new projects.
• Commitment to DRC’s long‑term strategy development.
• Comfort working in a fast‑growing, early‑stage organization.

You don’t have to meet all these requirements but these are all big pluses!

• Existing professional network within relevant constituencies (e.g., the labor movement, state and local power‑building organizations).
• Interest and experience in engaging with academic research in the service of movement goals.
• Background in labor or…