Social Policy Fellow, SEP Program (2025-2026)

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.

Third Way’s Social Policy, Education & Politics Program (SEP) is seeking a fellow to join our team and find ways to make progress on often divisive social issues like abortion, immigration, crime, LGBT equality, and guns.

Our recent work has included successfully changing the conversation about marriage for gay couples by emphasizing commitment instead of rights; working with Members of Congress and the White House on new gun safety legislation that respects Second Amendment rights while keeping guns out of criminals’ hands; developing a communication strategy around immigration used by nearly every congressional immigration reform proponent; and giving policymakers a deeper understanding of the values held by voters in the center of the electorate.

The fellow will report to the Senior Vice President of Social Policy & Politics.

Fellowship Information

The Third Way Fellows Program is a full-time, 12-month program that comes with the chance to meet with top Washington policy players; to co-author papers and work with our policy teams to produce new ideas, research, and insights; to learn our methodology; and to leverage our wide-ranging D.C. network into future career opportunities.

During your time at Third Way, you will learn skills in workflow management, leveraging polarities, meeting facilitation and participation, parallel thinking, dynamic presentation and communication, creativity, design thinking, networking, and interview skills.

Upon completion, our fellows find fulfilling work at other think tanks, congressional committees, private-sector firms, advocacy organizations, and the federal government. They take full advantage of Third Way’s ever-growing network of public policy professionals. If you are a future-oriented thinker and a policy wonk willing to listen and learn, we’d like you to join us.

Skills

The ideal candidate has:

• An interest in center-left politics and commitment to Third Way’s mission;

• An advanced degree (master’s or law) in a related field;

• The ability to take initiative on individual projects, but willingness to work collaboratively on a team;

• Strong research and technical skills, with a talent for knowing and telling the story a dataset demands;

• Knowledge of the legislative process and the ability to explain complicated concepts in a way that makes sense to policymakers;

• Diplomacy and discretion when dealing with external groups.
  

Duties

• Conducting in-depth research and quantitative analysis of a variety of sources, including online databases, media, and reports from the government, NGOs, and academia;

• Producing high-impact written products by distilling complex issues, often under tight deadlines, into succinct and accessible formats, including policy briefings, memos, and presentations;

• Organizing and participating in high-level external meetings, briefings on Capitol Hill, professional networking events, and other activities to promote Third Way policies;

• Sharing our research and policy ideas with Hill staff, advocates, think tanks, and academics both through individual and coalition meetings and in other events around D.C.;

• Supporting other members of the team with research and minor administrative tasks as needed.

Compensation

$60,000 annual stipend and two weeks paid vacation, plus healthcare and benefits.

The ideal candidate will possess a graduate degree (Masters, J.D., or other) and have experience in public policy, including internships and coursework. Fellows must be able to explain complicated concepts in a way that makes sense to the general public while engaging and exciting the audience.

While this position requires strong technical skills, Third Way’s success relies on our ability to build relationships and communicate our message. A willingness to work collaboratively on a team while taking the initiative on individual projects, an aptitude to multi-task on various assignments in distinct issue areas, and a penchant for solving problems creatively and thinking outside the box are integral to the job. Finally, fellows must have a deep commitment to Third Way’s mission of representing Americans in the “vital center.”

This fellowship term will begin on Tuesday, August 26th, 2025, and end on Thursday, August 13th, 2026.

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 is committed to the health, safety, and wellness of all employees, candidates, stakeholders, and communities. To support that commitment, all current and newly hired employees must provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination. Proof of full vaccination status will be required after an offer of employment is extended and accepted. Failure to provide proof of full vaccination before the start date will result in the offer of employment being rescinded.

Third Way offers a flexible, 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.