Director, Anti-Extremism

Third Way is a national think tank and advocacy organization that champions moderate policy and political ideas. Since our founding in 2005, we have served as a critical bulwark against political extremism by advancing values-driven, reform-oriented solutions on the defining issues of our time. Our work is grounded in the mainstream American values of opportunity, freedom, security, and democratic capitalism, and we advocate for the vital center across seven major areas: climate and energy, economy, education, health care, national security, politics, and social policy.

The Director of Anti-Extremism will lead a project to combat the rise of far-left extreme voices and forces, and to mobilize the center left at the national level to fight extreme elements in the places where they are gaining power.

New extreme forces on the far left are on the rise, and they represent a sharp break from a traditional left wing in American politics. Their ideas are not just unwise or unworkable, and their rhetoric is not simply heated. Instead, we are now confronted with a faction that is radical, illiberal, and, in many cases, overtly discriminatory. The rise of these voices in American politics pose distinct dangers for the center left. Where they take power, they govern badly, leaving the working- and middle-class voters for whom they claim to speak worse off and more disillusioned. And they champion politically toxic ideas and offensive rhetoric that can and will be used by the MAGA right to define all of their opponents, including those on the center left.

Most voters still reject the idea and label of socialism. These extreme candidates still lose far more races than they win, and their agenda is broadly unpopular outside of blue bubbles. But the center left must take much more significant action to combat these far-left extreme forces. This position will spearhead that effort.

As the Director of Anti-Extremism, a typical day might include…

• Assembling and updating a database of the DSA’s most extreme ideas and statements and a repository of voting records, affiliations, and issue positions to make available to allies and partners;

• Leading public opinion research to identify and test the contrasts that move base voters away from these extreme candidates;

• Overseeing the development of memos, talking points, rapid response materials, and other products that make the case against these extreme forces in American politics;

• Promoting and marketing our research and materials to ensure they reach decisionmakers quickly, repeatedly, and at scale through a coordinated distribution infrastructure;

• Recruiting and arming a group of young, diverse spokespeople to fight the DSA from a center-left perspective and assembling a broad coalition of organizational partners to make the case against extremism;

• Running an earned media program to create a drumbeat of our message in op-eds, television appearances, podcasts, and traditional and digital media engagement. 

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  Salary Range: $140,000 - $150,000, annually

  At Third Way, we are committed to non-discrimination and fair pay practices. The final starting salary offer will be determined based on your experience and qualifications.

Competencies:

• Strong project management and execution skills across complex, cross-functional initiatives

• Relationship management and ability to build trust with diverse stakeholders

• Strategic thinking with ability to translate goals into actionable plans

• Collaboration and ability to operate horizontally across teams

• Attention to detail and ability to manage multiple workstreams simultaneously

• Communication skills, including working with senior leaders and external influencers

This might be the job for you, if you have…

• 5-8+ years of experience in political organizations, campaigns, leadership development, or coalition-building;

• An understanding of the moderate Democratic political ecosystem and its key stakeholders;

• Experience developing and running communications and advocacy campaigns;

• An ability to manage both internal coordination and external coalitions effectively;

• Strong organizational and operational skills, with the ability to execute at a high level.

In the Third Way Culture, we are looking for:

• Self-starters: People who see and seize opportunities, take risks, learn from failure, and will bring a sustained passion for our mission.

•  Collaborators: People who work in teams—sharing ideas, brainstorming, co-authoring products, and advancing its shared priorities.

• Creators: People who fosters divergent thinking; that aren’t afraid to take on the orthodoxies of the left or the right. Team members come up with original insights, find unique ways to look at data, and challenge their preconceptions.

• Results-oriented: People who function with an organizational commitment to clear objectives, ambitious timelines, accountability for results, and a focus on impact.

• Respectful: People who embrace the diverse perspectives of everyone and foster the values of non-discrimination and inclusivity at all times.

WITHIN 1 MONTH, YOU'LL...

• Participate in Third Way’s comprehensive onboarding program. You’ll learn about all aspects of Business Operations, which includes HR, Benefits, IT, Finance, and office operations.

• Meet your Third Way Buddy, be introduced to the entire staff, and start to learn the TW’s culture.

• Learn our current processes for payroll, compliance, and labor tracking, and how you will partner with Finance and the rest of the Business Operations team on these processes.

• Participate in weekly one-on-ones with your manager to ensure you fully understand the expectations of the job.

• Attend weekly team meetings. You’ll learn about the key goals of each member of your program, their progress toward these goals, what challenges they face, and how you will contribute.

• Work with our communications and politics teams to set up tracking processes for extremist statements and actions Identify an initial list of partners and allies for outreach.

• Familiarize yourself with existing background research on extreme elements, actors, and activities influencing the far left.

WITHIN 2 MONTHS, YOU'LL...

• Gain an understanding of each employee’s role and their contribution to the organization.

• Attend program overview sessions to learn more about each team’s contribution to TW’s mission.

• Incorporate TW’s Style Guide and Production process into your work products.

• Participate in, at least, one of our internal Professional Development trainings or a Center for Fun activity.

• Develop a workplan for year one of our anti-extremism campaign, in partnership with our senior team.

• Meet with dozens of possible allies and spokespeople to outline our plans and gauge their interest in collaboration.

WITHIN 3 MONTHS, YOU'LL…

• Feel a sense of comfort and familiarity with the staff, your team, and your work.

• Continue to attend weekly departmental meetings with a stronger understanding of your team’s strategic goal.

• Bring new ideas and suggestions to your weekly one-on-ones with your manager.

• Attend and participate in external functions with other members of your team.

• Complete your 90-day self-evaluation and performance review with your manager.

• Partner with your manager to establish your long-term goals for the remainder of the year.

• Assemble an initial stable of spokespeople and a core circle of partners who are deeply aligned and willing to voice their concerns about extremism publicly.

• Produce a series of foundational documents laying out why we must stand up against extreme, illiberal forces no matter what side of the political spectrum they occupy.

• Lead a public opinion research project to better understand how to communicate these values to political leaders, commentators, and voters

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In addition to competitive salaries, your health and wellness is our priority. We offer a comprehensive benefits package which includes Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance; Health Reimbursement Account (HRA); and Flexible Spending Account (FSA, DCA, Parking, and Transit); Life Insurance; Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance; Retirement plan; Accrued Paid Sick and Vacation leave; Long-term Disability, Employee Assistant Program (EAP).

Third Way offers a hybrid work environment to support our employees’ healthy work-life balance. This position is based in Washington, DC, and Third Way’s in-office days are Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.

Third Way is an equal-opportunity employer committed to non-discrimination. We will consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, sexual orientation or gender identity, or any other legally protected basis, in accordance with applicable laws.

Third Way does not provide employment-based visa sponsorship. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without current or future employer sponsorship.