Associate Director, External Affairs

ABOUT US

Democracy Fund is a foundation working to build an inclusive, multiracial democracy that is open, just, resilient, and trustworthy. Created by eBay founder and philanthropist Pierre Omidyar, Democracy Fund and its partner organization Democracy Fund Voice have committed almost $425 million in grants to support those working to strengthen our democracy. Democracy Fund collaborates with grantees, donors, and other partners to change America’s flawed system by strengthening and expanding the pro-democracy movement, defending against anti-democratic attacks, and advancing structural change.

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Democracy Fund champions leaders and organizations who defend democracy and challenge our political system to be more open, just, resilient, and trustworthy. We believe that experimentation, learning, and adaptation are key to the health and resilience of any system, whether it is our organization or the American political system. As grantmakers, we focus on listening and being of service to our grantees, who are visionaries and our collaborators, and on ways we can more deeply embed diversity, equity, and inclusion as values central to the success of our work and mission.

Since we believe in the power of human connection, we follow a hybrid work model that balances remote flexibility with purposeful collaboration. Remote candidates are required to travel to the D.C. office for all mandatory all-employee retreats (2–3 times per year) and periodic team-building sessions a few times a year. All required travel expenses will be fully covered by the foundation.

While we prefer applicants residing in the Washington, D.C. metro area (DMV) to facilitate regular in‑person engagement, we may consider candidates residing in other locations for exceptional applications if we already have staff in those states.

External Affairs expands Democracy Fund’s influence and impact by connecting our strategy, knowledge, relationships, and public voice. We believe that strong relationships paired with powerful narratives create the conditions for action, and that neither works without the other.

The team works across areas of communications, philanthropic partnerships, campaigns, and learning to mobilize more resources for democracy, encourage funders to adopt practices that strengthen the field, and help Democracy Fund and its partners respond effectively to a changing environment.

The Associate Director is a senior leader on the External Affairs team, responsible for turning External Affairs outcomes and organizational priorities into impact by leading the development, advancement, and operationalization of the partnerships‑focused components of the External Affairs strategy. This includes philanthropic partnerships, campaigns, and/or other special projects. In partnership with the Senior Director and Director, this role helps set direction for the team and oversees the design and implementation of the major bodies of work, with particular responsibility for a partnerships and philanthropic organizing campaign strategy.

This role operates in a fast‑moving environment where time‑sensitive work and changing conditions are a regular part of the portfolio.

The Associate Director manages staff focused on campaigns, special projects, and program development; works as a co‑strategist with program teams to advance their influence goals; and drives External Affairs‑specific priorities. The role also coordinates, manages, and collaborates on priorities originating with organizational leadership. Combining strategy, relationship building, people management, adaptability, and disciplined execution, the Associate Director helps attract more resources to democracy work and improve how philanthropy supports the field.

This position reports to the Director, Impact and Integration, External Affairs and works closely with the Senior Director of External Affairs, Democracy Fund’s President and Vice President, program leadership and staff, and other colleagues across the organization. The role also supports Democracy Fund…