Senior Policy Advisor

SALARY: $130,000-$150,000 annually

REPORTS TO: Vice President, Public Policy

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 an experienced public policy professional to manage a diverse portfolio, including artificial intelligence, workforce development, education, and other domestic policy issues. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of the last several years of policy development across these areas and will embrace nuanced, heterodox, and out-of-the-box solutions to these issues. 

TYPICAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Work with policy staff and Searchlight fellows to prepare policy proposals, briefing memos, and other materials;
• Work with Hill offices and other external stakeholders to communicate policy expertise and provide real-time technical support;
• Draft and contribute to public-facing Searchlight work products, including website and Substack posts, press releases, organizational newsletters, and other stakeholder engagement resources;
• Draft short- and long-term policy proposals suitable for legislation;
• Work with Searchlight senior leadership and government affairs team to support the introduction of legislative proposals;
• Advise Searchlight senior staff on policy matters;
• Serve as an on-the-record source for media outlets where directed;
• Other duties as assigned by leadership.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• At least 7 years of relevant policy experience (e.g., U.S. congressional office or committee, executive branch, advocacy organization, or other similar field);
• Demonstrated familiarity with the relevant policy areas, particularly with respect to federal legislative or administrative action, legal work, or some combination thereof;
• Deep familiarity with the relevant congressional committees of jurisdiction for the listed policy areas;
• Experience working with a high degree of autonomy and personal initiative;
• Experience organizing stakeholder convenings;
• A keen understanding of the major players, events, and dynamics shaping domestic federal policy;
• A high degree of comfort with rapid response, fast-paced, and quickly changing dynamics;
• A willingness to engage in real-time discourse to drive conversation topics among key audiences; and
• A willingness to ruffle some feathers.