Principal Director, Program Development
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Job Description
Principal Director launching new policy research programs at Sightline Institute, a Cascadia sustainability think tank. Conducting research, building coalitions, fundraising, and developing program leaders.
Responsibilities:
- Scout, plan, and build new research programs for Sightline
- Develop and refine an institutional system for expanding into new issue areas
- Vet potential program areas against Sightline’s program-selection criteria
- Lead an organization-wide selection process and recommend new program areas to the Executive Director
- Conduct preliminary research and produce groundbreaking articles and analyses
- Establish Sightline’s presence and reputation in each new issue area
- Develop impactful program strategies using research, communications, and coalition building
- Build coalitions in support of new programs
- Serve as a senior spokesperson for Sightline
- Write and publish research, speak publicly and to the media, and meet with policymakers, allies, and stakeholders
- Anchor fundraising by identifying, cultivating, and securing prospective funders with the development team
- Lead recruitment and staffing for each new program
- Hire and mentor the permanent program director
- Guide the director through transition and hand off leadership
- Build and manage program budgets and staffing with the operations team
- Refine Sightline’s program-development method with each cycle
- Work with the Executive Director and communications, development, and research teams during the first year
Requirements:
- Substantial senior-level experience in policy research, advocacy, journalism, or a related field
- Experience initiating work rather than inheriting it
- Track record of conducting and publishing original, in-depth policy research that changed minds
- Ability to become credible quickly in fields that are new to you
- Skilled writer and public speaker
- Comfortable serving as a senior spokesperson with media, policymakers, and other stakeholders
- Strong strategic thinking and ability to influence policy through research, communications, and advocacy
- Experience contributing to fundraising, including identifying and cultivating prospective funders and writing proposals and reports
- Experience engaging policymakers to translate research into policy influence
- Experience leading a new initiative, program, or team from early concept through launch
- Commitment to Sightline’s mission and values
- Must live and work in Cascadia: Alaska, British Columbia, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, or Washington
- Must be able to travel to represent Sightline and participate in retreats and meetings
- Application must include a cover letter, resume, and brief published writing sample in a single PDF
- Application materials must not be written by artificial intelligence
Benefits:
- 401K employer contribution of 10 percent of salary with no match required
- Annual merit raises and periodic promotions
- Mentoring, training, and learning opportunities
- 95% premium coverage for medical, dental, and vision insurance for the employee
- Partial medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage for dependents
- 4 weeks of paid vacation
- 12 paid holidays annually
- 2 weeks paid health, wellness, and care leave
- Shared pool of additional leave for special circumstances
- 12 weeks paid parental leave
- 3-month paid sabbatical every 7 years
- $200 monthly remote work stipend
- Regular staff gatherings for in-person connection
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) qualifying employer
- Remote work from home or a co-working facility of choice
- Balanced lives and collegial organizational culture
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