About Demos. Demos is a movement-oriented think tank committed to racial and economic justice. Through research, advocacy, strategic communications, litigation, and deep partnerships with grassroots organizations across the country, we build power with and for Black and brown communities. Since 2000, Demos has built relationships with grassroots partners, legal and policy experts, and policymakers to champion, advance, and realize pro-democracy and economic justice laws and policies. Demos is valued and trusted for its deep relationships with movement leaders and its ability to prioritize what the movement needs. Demos’ policy, litigation, and advocacy work has moved to the center of the national conversation and even become law. From getting money out of politics to expanding voting rights, our policy recommendations and advocacy have become reality. We don’t just develop policy papers with big ideas—we put them into action. Individually and as coalition partners, we’ve beat back anti-voter laws in multiple states, expanded access to the ballot for formerly incarcerated Americans, and protected rights guaranteed by the National Voter Registration Act. We’ve crafted narrative and policy to advance a more just, inclusive economy where Black and brown people thrive. We’ve fought for and won greater consumer protections within our credit system, improved working conditions for the federal contractor workforce, and we laid the groundwork for debt-free college and student debt cancellation. 

The Associate Director, Financial Justice will lead, in consultation with the Director of Economic Justice, the development of a body of work at Demos focused on economic security and mobility, particularly through financial services.  Demos’ Economic Justice program advances an affirmative vision for a just and inclusive economic future and pathways to build economic power for Black and brown people and communities.  

In coordination with grassroots and movement-building organizations, the Associate Director will conceptualize, plan, execute and oversee research, analysis, and policy development. This work is based on the premise that those most impacted by injustice and inequality should have a voice in the solution. The position is part of the Economic Justice team at Demos and will report to the Director of Economic Justice. The most competitive candidates will bring an entrepreneurial orientation, humility, and an ability to work collectively both internally and externally.  

Responsibilities include but are not limited to: 

• Develop research and conduct policy analysis on a range of issues related to economic justice with an emphasis on financial services.  
• Conduct research and data analysis with a strong racial equity lens, to both understand the policy context, historical choices, disproportionate effects of policy choices, resulting conditions to provide solutions 
• Write long and short-form publications, including research reports, issue briefs, fact sheets and opinion articles;   
• Work in collaboration across Demos’ democracy, movement building and communications teams to develop and execute deliverables that advance Demos’ strategic priorities, as well as the strategic goals for the economic justice team;   
• Conduct presentations and represent Demos externally on relevant economic justice research and policy issues;  
• Develop, maintain and build collaborative relationships with external partners and allies including racial justice movement organizations, progressive organizations engaged in economic justice work, academics, and policymakers; working creatively and strategically to leverage these relationships to advance Demos’ programmatic and movement goals;   
• As the Economic Justice Team grows, manage direct reports to ensure clarity on goals, to develop space for feedback, and to support staff development. With appropriate input from HR and your Director, you lead the hiring processes for any roles you will directly supervise as vacancies arise.  You are aware of and model organizational policies, practices, and values to your team and supervisees.  
• Working closely with the Director of Economic Justice, you work as a thought partner and leader to help provide clear goals and directions for the collective work of the team, and at the individual staff level. You assist the Director in addressing team morale issues.  As requested, you represent your team in internal or external meetings on behalf of the Director.  
• You consistently integrate a deep understanding of key racial equity concepts into work projects and interactions by addressing structural implications and disproportionate impacts of policies, activities, and decisions on race, class, and other group identities within the context of job responsibilities and projects.   
• Other duties as assigned; some travel required.   

The successful candidate must demonstrate the following skills and experience:  

• Developed Racial Equity Analysis & Practice. You have a well-developed racial equity analysis and consistently integrate this analysis into your work projects and personal interactions by addressing structural implications and disproportionate impacts of policies, activities, and decisions on race, class, and other group identities within the context of your job responsibilities and projects.  
• Policy expertise. You have a proven track record in working on financial services policy (e.g., banking, credit). 
• Research Design, Writing and Analytical Skills.  You have experience designing and conducting primary qualitative and quantitative research including surveys, interviews, focus groups or other research methods. You know how to incorporate the voices and center the  lived experience of those most impacted by injustice and inequality into research and policy design and analysis. You have experience executing research and writing projects, from initial concept stage to final drafting of research reports, issue briefs, fact sheets and other materials. You are proficient in using one or more statistical software packages such as Stata, SPSS, or R. You have familiarity working with microdata from U.S. statistical agencies and other sources of household data, including proficiency with the American Community Survey (ACS), Current Population Survey (CPS), and Survey of Consumer Finances (SCF).  
• External Outreach and Collaboration. You are skilled at identifying and cultivating productive relationships with key individuals in movement building, academia, government, and policy and advocacy organizations. 
• Low Ego. You are committed to advancing the whole rather than yourself. You have an optimistic outlook and the humor, integrity, kindness, and patience necessary to work within a transformative environment. You are willing to set aside a personal agenda in favor of organizational and/or community goals and objectives. 

The most competitive candidates will also demonstrate several of the following skills and experience: 

• Experience with legislative or regulatory processes 
• Experience leading a portfolio and creating a long-term and short-term plan for work
• Experience managing the work of staff or consultants, modeling strong supervisory and management practices internally. 

Additionally, candidates must bring a strong commitment to excellence and an ability to work in an evolving environment.  

Work Location: Demos is working to adopt a hybrid, remote-first work model with in-person meetings taking place in the current offices in New York City or Washington, D.C. Candidates based in any continental U.S. location with the ability to travel are encouraged to apply. 

Salary and Benefits: The annual salary range for this position is $125,000 - $135,000.  Salary is determined based on job responsibilities and other factors determined by law. For purposes of internal equity, Demos will not negotiate salaries outside of this posted range. Demos has a generous benefits package, which includes health insurance, dental and vision insurance, 11 paid holidays, 18 vacation days per year, 5 floating holidays per year, 12 sick days per year, paid time off the last week of August, and Dec. 24 – through the first week of January, and a voluntary 403b plan. 

How to Apply: Please upload a concise, thoughtful cover letter and resume that speaks to how your experience and skillset meet the qualifications for this role.  We are looking for an immediate hire so applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled. No phone calls or emails please. 

Demos is an Equal Opportunity Employer--people of color, people with disabilities, women, and LGBTQ candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. We are committed to a diverse workplace, and to supporting our staff with ongoing career development opportunities.