Description
Economic Policy Institute
Economic Analysis and Research Network (EARN) Director
The Economic Analysis and Research Network (EARN), a nationwide network of state and local multi-issue, research, policy and advocacy organizations, is looking for a dynamic Director to develop and lead a proactive agenda for the network.
EARN, coordinating with other key national research groups, constitutes the core progressive research and policy infrastructure for moving state and local policies addressing wages, jobs, and income inequality. EARN groups also work on economic development, retirement security, and on other issues broadly related to the economy, such as education, health policy, and the environment. EARN is a collective “think tank” sharing the best ideas and strategies from the state and local level, while also helping to communicate national campaigns from a local perspective. EARN promotes progressive economic change through research, strategic communications, advocacy, and support for institutions and coalitions.
The network includes 61 state and local organizations in 44 states, and 26 national partners. The Economic Policy Institute (EPI) serves as the “hub” of the network, with dedicated EARN staff who provide technical assistance, help to coordinate joint projects among network partners, and organize an annual EARN conference. The EARN Director reports to EPI's president and works closely with the EARN advisory group, a steering committee composed of leaders within the network.
We are looking for an EARN Director who is entrepreneurial and passionate about addressing income inequality and advancing policies that raise wages, strengthen labor standards and build stronger worker organizations at the national, state, and local level. The Director must have strong research, policy, advocacy, fundraising, and communication skills and substantial experience in state policy.
The EARN Director will have the dual role of: 1) Being the primary agent of the network – developing relationships and projects with EARN partners, raising funds for EARN activities and collective projects, organizing and managing network events (including the annual conference), overseeing technical assistance to EARN groups, establishing and maintaining relationships with key policy, research and advocacy partners, and assisting state-based organizations to advance a progressive agenda; 2) Serving as a part of EPI’s senior management team, overseeing the EARN staff (currently two people) at EPI and a budget of $500K. The EARN Director’s main task will be to brand/market EARN in the policy and donor communities and to develop proactive multi-state policy initiatives for the network. This position is based in Washington, DC.
Responsibilities include:
Organizational Leadership and Vision
- Establish EARN’s vision, goals, and priorities in partnership with the EARN advisory group and other EARN directors and stakeholders.
- Cultivate and maintain effective relationships with colleagues in EARN groups, within EPI, and with other national organizations to identify opportunities for collaborative and complementary program activities.
- Develop a strategic plan to elevate the brand of EARN in policy and donor circles.
- Supervise and oversee EARN staff at EPI in their development and implementation of the EARN program to ensure maximum support of EARN organizations in their missions.
- Oversee and maintain an effective database of all EARN partners and projects.
Program Development and Implementation
- Lead the development and implementation of annual EARN priorities and strategies for advancing EARN’s goals and vision (including a coordinated, proactive policy agenda, commissioning research papers, and hosting national and regional meetings and the annual EARN conference).
- Provide support to EARN partners in developing strategies on priority issues.
- Raise necessary funding for the ongoing operation of EARN.
- Produce white papers in areas of expertise.
- Oversee all EARN financial matters.
- Evaluate EARN strategies and their success in advancing EARN’s mission
- Contribute to EPI Management Team
- Work with the EPI management team and staff to develop and implement priorities and provide vision, inspiration and leadership across all EPI program areas that impacts EARN and its partners.
- Participate in EPI management discussions and decisions through senior management team meetings and other processes as needed.
- Take on special projects or broader management duties as needed and mutually agreed upon with the EPI President.
Qualifications include:
- Proactive and visionary leadership skills.
- Minimum of five years of experience in one or more of the following areas: program development, policy, research, advocacy, or management in a non-profit organization.
- Background and experience in social science research.
- Excellent management and staff development skills.
- Experience with a broad set of issues and constituencies including, but not limited to, economic and social justice, economic development, organizing and translating ideas into action.
- Ability to develop and implement innovative and strategic priorities.
- State or local policy experience.
- Ability to connect a variety of issues to broader trends and new paradigms.
- Strong awareness of the intersection of race, gender and class.
- Passion for improving the lives of working families.
- Excellent analytical and organizational skills and attention to detail.
- Excellent communications skills including public speaking and presentation skills, and the ability to communicate complex ideas and research.
- Experience in fundraising from foundations and major donors.
- Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to listen effectively.
- Self-starter with ability to set and meet goals.
- Creative and entrepreneurial thinker.
- Ability to travel.
- Pleasant and diplomatic with colleagues at all levels and the general public.
- Ability to work effectively as part of a close-knit, collaborative team.
Salary: Pay commensurate with experience. Excellent benefits package.
To apply: Send cover letter, resume, and writing sample (3 to 5 pages) to: settleson@gmail.com, subject line: EARN Director.
EARN is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion/creed, color, age, national origin, alienage or citizenship status, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, military status, familial status, domestic violence victim status, marital status or partnership status.