Job Description
STATUS: Exempt
SALARY: $90,000 - $110,000 annually
REPORTS TO: Operations Director
DUTY STATION: Washington, DC
ABOUT US
The Searchlight Institute is a home for creative thinkers dedicated to disrupting today’s paradigm of purity, smallness, and fear. We generate big ideas, break down ideological barriers, and bring clarity to a data environment polluted by misinformation.
POSITION OVERVIEW
We seek a talented professional who will supercharge Searchlight’s impact by owning event planning and execution and support the organization’s outreach efforts. This person will cultivate an aggressive events schedule and elevate Searchlight’s work through thoughtful, targeted engagements. The ideal candidate is a seasoned project manager and logistics pro with a keen sense of strategy — someone who can operationalize and execute a vision.
TYPICAL RESPONSIBILITIES
- Build a multi-pronged events calendar — from internal policy convenings to external public engagements — highlighting and augmenting Searchlight’s ongoing policy, analytics, and communications work;
- Plan, design, and execute Searchlight events, including location scouting, guest list curation, sourcing and coordinating with vendors, and run-of-show management;
- Cultivate strategic outreach lists of stakeholders and partners for active relationship management and future engagement across the organization;
- Support external relations efforts with key stakeholders, working with principals to draft and edit targeted engagement materials for relevant products and events;
- Other duties as assigned by leadership.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Four or more years of experience in the political or policy space (e.g., political campaign, advocacy organization, or other similar field);
- Demonstrated creativity and competence in calendar development, social planning, and event execution, from early ideation and site/vendor selection to day-of support and after-action reports;
- Fluency in communicating with stakeholders across levels — you feel as comfortable liaising with principals and their teams as you do with your peers;
- A self-starter who thrives on organizing and action with limited direct oversight — someone who gets the vision and can execute it;
- A desire and ability to travel, in order to build and support events outside of the Beltway;
- A keen understanding of the major players and dynamics shaping the political landscape;
- A willingness to roll up your sleeves — no task is too big or too small for you to contribute to;
- A sense of humor!