Mississippi Votes
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Policy & Research Director
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Mississippi Votes 2 days ago Be among the first 25 applicants Join to apply for the
Policy & Research Director
role at
Mississippi Votes Get AI-powered advice on this job and more exclusive features. Position Type: Full-Time; At-Will Employment
Location: Jackson, MS
Reports To: Executive Director (until further notice or otherwise specified)
About Mississippi Votes
Position Overview:
The Policy & Research Director leads Mississippi Votes’ policy, research, and legislative strategy work. They manage the Policy & Research Department and serve as a primary architect of the organization’s statewide policy and research agenda—ensuring our advocacy is grounded in original research, participatory data collection, and youth-informed analysis. This role requires a blend of legislative savvy, strategic thinking, coalition building, and a commitment to youth leadership and community accountability.
The Policy & Research Director is responsible for developing departmental work plans and performance benchmarks in alignment with MS Votes’ annual strategic plan.
This position serves both Mississippi Votes (a 501(c)(3)) and Mississippi Votes Action Fund (a 501(c)(4)). The role includes responsibilities that fall within each entity’s legal scope and requires careful coordination to maintain compliance and mission alignment across both organizations.
Key Responsibilities
Policy Leadership & Strategy
Develop, implement, and evaluate a comprehensive public policy agenda focused on voting rights, civic access, youth justice, and human dignity. Lead the creation of policy briefs, research publications, white papers, and community data reports that inform and support MS Votes’ civic education, legislative engagement, and advocacy campaigns. Lead MS Votes’ advocacy strategy, integrating grassroots organizing with legislative engagement. Track and analyze federal, state, and local legislative activity; provide weekly briefings to staff and community partners.
Legislative Engagement & Government Relations
Serve as a registered lobbyist for the organization in a limited, values-aligned capacity. Build and maintain strategic relationships with policymakers, staffers, and administrative agencies. Develop and implement rapid response advocacy strategies when legislation impacts civic engagement.
Departmental Leadership
Supervise the Policy & Research team, including Advocacy & Outreach Coordinators, Voting Rights Coordinator, and policy interns or fellows. Support team development through coaching, accountability systems, and goal setting. Align departmental goals with organization-wide strategy and support interdepartmental collaboration. Develop systems for managing research priorities, knowledge sharing, and cross-team data application in partnership with communications, organizing, and operations teams. Provide monthly reports to the Executive Director outlining legislative developments, department updates, research progress, and coalition activities.
Coalition & Movement Building
Lead and sustain statewide coalitions such as the MS Voting Rights Coalition and Ballot Initiative Working Group. Serve as the primary point of contact for national policy partners and litigation allies. Represent MS Votes in movement coalitions, convenings, and collaborative efforts.
Civic Education & Youth Development
Oversees the One GIRL, One Vote and Robert Clark Advocacy and Leadership Fellowship and policy education curriculum. Provide mentorship and guidance to youth leaders engaged in policy research and legislative advocacy.
Compliance & Operational Alignment
Coordinate closely with the Executive Director and Operations & Finance team to ensure c3/c4 compliance in all advocacy activities. Maintain records of lobbying activities and support internal policy-related audits and reporting. Ensure all departmental activities are properly allocated between Mississippi Votes and Mississippi Votes Action Fund, in coordination with the Executive Director and Operations & Finance team.
Community Accountability
Facilitate participatory policy development processes, including listening sessions, advocacy programs, legislative advocacy days, and community surveys. Incorporate community feedback into MS Votes' policy agenda and public stances.
Cross-Team Collaboration
Collaborate closely with the Voter Services and Communications teams to ensure that policy strategy is integrated into field campaigns, narrative work, and base-building efforts.
Public Engagement
Represent the organization through media appearances, public speaking engagements, and panel discussions as approved by the organization’s processes. Lead production of MS Votes’ Annual Legislative Report.
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in public policy, political science, law, or a related field; Master’s degree preferred. Minimum 4 years of experience in public policy, advocacy, or government relations with demonstrated leadership. Deep knowledge of Mississippi’s legislative and political landscape. Experience supervising staff and leading cross-functional teams. Excellent writing, public speaking, and interpersonal communication skills. Commitment to youth development, racial justice, and participatory democracy. Familiarity with c3/c4 legal compliance for advocacy campaigns. Experience in participatory research methods, policy analysis, or youth-centered research models is strongly preferred.
Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $75,000 – $85,000 annually, depending on experience and qualifications 50% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance Professional development support Frequent in-state travel required; evening and weekend availability will be required during the legislative session or rapid response campaigns and undoubtedly in support of the #Up2Us GOTV Campaign and during Civic Holidays
To Apply
Submit your resume and cover letter via the form on the "Join the Team" page of our website:
www.msvotes.org/opportunities/employment.
Mississippi Votes is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. Young people, People of Color, LGBTQ+ folks, and those directly impacted by systemic injustice are strongly encouraged to apply. Seniority level
Seniority level Director Employment type
Employment type Full-time Job function
Job function Research, Analyst, and Information Technology Industries Non-profit Organizations Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at Mississippi Votes by 2x Get notified about new Research Director jobs in
Jackson, MS . Jackson, MS $115,400.00-$202,000.00 22 hours ago Jackson, MS $62,300.00-$109,000.00 22 hours ago We’re unlocking community knowledge in a new way. Experts add insights directly into each article, started with the help of AI.
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Policy & Research Director
role at
Mississippi Votes 2 days ago Be among the first 25 applicants Join to apply for the
Policy & Research Director
role at
Mississippi Votes Get AI-powered advice on this job and more exclusive features. Position Type: Full-Time; At-Will Employment
Location: Jackson, MS
Reports To: Executive Director (until further notice or otherwise specified)
About Mississippi Votes
Position Overview:
The Policy & Research Director leads Mississippi Votes’ policy, research, and legislative strategy work. They manage the Policy & Research Department and serve as a primary architect of the organization’s statewide policy and research agenda—ensuring our advocacy is grounded in original research, participatory data collection, and youth-informed analysis. This role requires a blend of legislative savvy, strategic thinking, coalition building, and a commitment to youth leadership and community accountability.
The Policy & Research Director is responsible for developing departmental work plans and performance benchmarks in alignment with MS Votes’ annual strategic plan.
This position serves both Mississippi Votes (a 501(c)(3)) and Mississippi Votes Action Fund (a 501(c)(4)). The role includes responsibilities that fall within each entity’s legal scope and requires careful coordination to maintain compliance and mission alignment across both organizations.
Key Responsibilities
Policy Leadership & Strategy
Develop, implement, and evaluate a comprehensive public policy agenda focused on voting rights, civic access, youth justice, and human dignity. Lead the creation of policy briefs, research publications, white papers, and community data reports that inform and support MS Votes’ civic education, legislative engagement, and advocacy campaigns. Lead MS Votes’ advocacy strategy, integrating grassroots organizing with legislative engagement. Track and analyze federal, state, and local legislative activity; provide weekly briefings to staff and community partners.
Legislative Engagement & Government Relations
Serve as a registered lobbyist for the organization in a limited, values-aligned capacity. Build and maintain strategic relationships with policymakers, staffers, and administrative agencies. Develop and implement rapid response advocacy strategies when legislation impacts civic engagement.
Departmental Leadership
Supervise the Policy & Research team, including Advocacy & Outreach Coordinators, Voting Rights Coordinator, and policy interns or fellows. Support team development through coaching, accountability systems, and goal setting. Align departmental goals with organization-wide strategy and support interdepartmental collaboration. Develop systems for managing research priorities, knowledge sharing, and cross-team data application in partnership with communications, organizing, and operations teams. Provide monthly reports to the Executive Director outlining legislative developments, department updates, research progress, and coalition activities.
Coalition & Movement Building
Lead and sustain statewide coalitions such as the MS Voting Rights Coalition and Ballot Initiative Working Group. Serve as the primary point of contact for national policy partners and litigation allies. Represent MS Votes in movement coalitions, convenings, and collaborative efforts.
Civic Education & Youth Development
Oversees the One GIRL, One Vote and Robert Clark Advocacy and Leadership Fellowship and policy education curriculum. Provide mentorship and guidance to youth leaders engaged in policy research and legislative advocacy.
Compliance & Operational Alignment
Coordinate closely with the Executive Director and Operations & Finance team to ensure c3/c4 compliance in all advocacy activities. Maintain records of lobbying activities and support internal policy-related audits and reporting. Ensure all departmental activities are properly allocated between Mississippi Votes and Mississippi Votes Action Fund, in coordination with the Executive Director and Operations & Finance team.
Community Accountability
Facilitate participatory policy development processes, including listening sessions, advocacy programs, legislative advocacy days, and community surveys. Incorporate community feedback into MS Votes' policy agenda and public stances.
Cross-Team Collaboration
Collaborate closely with the Voter Services and Communications teams to ensure that policy strategy is integrated into field campaigns, narrative work, and base-building efforts.
Public Engagement
Represent the organization through media appearances, public speaking engagements, and panel discussions as approved by the organization’s processes. Lead production of MS Votes’ Annual Legislative Report.
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in public policy, political science, law, or a related field; Master’s degree preferred. Minimum 4 years of experience in public policy, advocacy, or government relations with demonstrated leadership. Deep knowledge of Mississippi’s legislative and political landscape. Experience supervising staff and leading cross-functional teams. Excellent writing, public speaking, and interpersonal communication skills. Commitment to youth development, racial justice, and participatory democracy. Familiarity with c3/c4 legal compliance for advocacy campaigns. Experience in participatory research methods, policy analysis, or youth-centered research models is strongly preferred.
Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $75,000 – $85,000 annually, depending on experience and qualifications 50% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance Professional development support Frequent in-state travel required; evening and weekend availability will be required during the legislative session or rapid response campaigns and undoubtedly in support of the #Up2Us GOTV Campaign and during Civic Holidays
To Apply
Submit your resume and cover letter via the form on the "Join the Team" page of our website:
www.msvotes.org/opportunities/employment.
Mississippi Votes is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. Young people, People of Color, LGBTQ+ folks, and those directly impacted by systemic injustice are strongly encouraged to apply. Seniority level
Seniority level Director Employment type
Employment type Full-time Job function
Job function Research, Analyst, and Information Technology Industries Non-profit Organizations Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at Mississippi Votes by 2x Get notified about new Research Director jobs in
Jackson, MS . Jackson, MS $115,400.00-$202,000.00 22 hours ago Jackson, MS $62,300.00-$109,000.00 22 hours ago We’re unlocking community knowledge in a new way. Experts add insights directly into each article, started with the help of AI.
#J-18808-Ljbffr