Careers and Internships | State Policy Network

State Policy Network is a coalition of 64 state think tanks representing all 50 states, over 66 state allied organizations in key capacities (like litigation, journalism, and issue advocacy), and more than 90 national partners, all dedicated to the principles of liberty and federalism. SPN exists to make these organizations better, faster, and stronger than if each worked alone. The power of the Network is in scaling critical state and local solutions so they spread from state to state, leading to national impact.

Director of Event Partnerships

State Policy Network is experiencing incredible growth. Fundraising has almost tripled in 5 years and demand for our services continues to grow, including SPN’s premier gathering of the liberty movement, Annual Meeting. Each year, more than 1,500 people from all 50 states and over 500 organizations attend Annual Meeting.

SPN is seeking a Director of Event Partnerships to drive our sponsorship strategy, build connections with strategic partners from a broad range of organizations, and ultimately scale up our ability to bring in new relationships and fundraising from sponsorship opportunities.

There is high demand to sponsor SPN events, and we have a large portfolio of current partners that this person will manage which must be balanced with the constant change of circumstance in sponsors’ budgets and overall needs. This is an opportunity for someone to cultivate an existing portfolio of sponsors while seeking new partners as SPN’s sponsorship opportunities continue to expand. The challenge in this role will be to creatively and strategically connect organizations with the right sponsorship opportunities that elevate their brand and ours, strengthen relationships, and take our sponsorship fundraising to the next level. Sponsors are typically a mix of for profit and non-profit organizations.

This role requires a person who can build strategic relationships and exhibit the highest levels of customer service and diplomacy. This role is ideal for a relationships-driven fundraiser who is highly collaborative and details-oriented. Or it could be ideal for someone with a marketing, sales, government affairs, or external relations background who wants to transfer their skills into a sponsorship role. While the role is currently focused on Annual Meeting, we are looking for someone with an entrepreneurial mindset who will be able to look towards 2024 and build out sponsorship opportunities for other SPN events and programs – opportunities which are untapped and abundant.

The Director of Event Sponsorships will report directly to our Vice President of Strategic Partnerships and will be the driver of sponsor and exhibitor opportunities at SPN Annual Meeting first and foremost. They will shepherd the sales and stewardship from start to finish, including managing a portfolio of current and prospective sponsors.

We are looking for a candidate that has excellent communications skills, a strategic mindset, as well as the ability to discern, promote, and negotiate partnerships that are in the best interests of SPN.

This position can be based in SPN’s Arlington, VA headquarters or in a virtual office.

Primary Responsibilities

Manage a portfolio of 125+ current and prospective sponsors. Identify opportunities to expand sponsorship opportunities in a way that aligns with SPN’s priorities and mission.
Coordinate with the Senior Director of Events to create the overall marketing strategy for SPN Annual Meeting sponsor and exhibitor opportunities, including developing marketing and stewardship materials.
Work to creatively match sponsor/exhibitor goals and interests with the priorities of SPN and its members. Offer/negotiate what is in SPN’s best interest, gathering input from colleagues as needed.
Prepare sponsorship proposals, sponsorship agreements, and sponsor and exhibitor invoices, as needed.
Maintain database of confirmed sponsorships and benefits to ensure effective execution on all agreed upon sponsor benefits.

Qualifications

3+ years of experience in fundraising, marketing, government affairs or external relations
Strong interest in advancing State Policy Network’s mission and impact
Outstanding verbal and written communication skills
A team player/collaborator that can work in a fast-paced environment in a professional manner
Capacity to prioritize and balance multiple projects, plan ahead, and effectively meet deadlines
Ability to maintain confidentiality
Salesforce a plus

This job offers a highly competitive salary and generous incentive structure.

Travel in year one: approximately 25-30%. This includes travel to meet with partners, as well SPN’s Annual Meeting and SPN’s all staff Retreat. It is important to note that the travel should decrease after the first year of establishing relationships.

How to Apply

Qualified candidates should submit the following application materials in one PDF document:

Resume
- Cover letter detailing:
  - Your interest in the position/SPN’s mission
  - Salary requirements
  - In-office or virtual office location preference
  - Travel availability

Applications should be submitted to Talent Market via this link: https://talentmarket.org/candidates/apply-for-your-dream-job/

Questions can be directed to Claire Kittle Dixon, Executive Director of Talent Market, who is assisting with the search: claire@talentmarket.org.

There is no application deadline for this position. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

This job will remain posted on our site until it is filled. Only direct applications will be considered. No phone calls, please.

Talent Market is a nonprofit entity dedicated to promoting liberty by helping free-market nonprofits identify talent for critical roles. We provide consulting and recruiting services at no cost to 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations that clearly and directly focus on advancing the principles of economic freedom, free enterprise, free trade, free speech, property rights, rule of law, and limited regulation.

Manager of Strategic Partnerships

State Policy Network is seeking a Manager of Strategic Partnerships to join our development team. This position is ideal for a pro-liberty, entrepreneurial candidate with experience in growing long term, sustainable relationships with philanthropists. The Manager of Strategic Partnerships’ role advances SPN’s mission and strategic objectives by working closely with donors to align their goals with SPN’s mission.

The Manager of Strategic Partnerships will report directly to our Senior Director of Strategic Partnerships and will be responsible for the results of his/her major gifts portfolio which will include a mix of current donors and prospects. We are looking for a candidate that will have fire in the belly and drive to build a portfolio primarily through prospecting.

This position can be based in SPN’s Arlington, VA headquarters or in a virtual office.

Primary Responsibilities

Manage a major gifts portfolio: Responsible for developing and managing a moves management strategy for a portfolio of 100+/- donors and prospects with the capacity to make gifts of $25K+. Territory may be nationwide.
Increase SPN’s fundraising capacity through the successful qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of individuals having the capacity to make gifts of $25K and above
Work to creatively match donor interests with institutional priorities
Develop funding proposals and structure complex gifts, including planned gifts
Prepare briefings, stewardship plans/letters and other correspondence for prospects, collaborating with staff as needed
Motivate and support leadership and volunteers to solicit gifts when appropriate
Maintain in-depth knowledge of SPN’s funding priorities

Qualifications

3+ years of fundraising or related experience. Strong preference for candidates who have experience being donor-facing and managing a portfolio of individual donors.
Ability to travel at least 50%
Strong interest in advancing State Policy Network’s mission and impact
Outstanding verbal and written communication skills
A team player that can work in a fast-paced, high-volume environment in professional manner
An entrepreneurial spirit, strong work ethic, and capacity to prioritize and balance multiple projects and effectively and meet deadlines
Strong analytical skills, organizational skills, and superb attention to detail
Ability to maintain confidentiality
Demonstrated experience with complex giving vehicles, planned gifts, and estate planning a plus
Knowledge of MS Office, Word, Excel and Outlook (advanced Excel knowledge or experience with Salesforce a plus)
Bachelor’s degree strongly preferred

Qualified candidates should submit the following application materials in one PDF document to careers@spn.org:

Resume
Cover letter detailing:
- Your interest in the position/SPN’s mission
- Salary requirements
- In-office or virtual office location preference
- Travel availability

Operations Associate

SPN seeks an Operations Associate to play a pivotal role on our operations team to ensure a positive experience for our employees navigating SPN’s new hire process, benefits, IT platforms and various HR processes. This Operations Associate will be in a unique position to work with and learn from the Senior Director of Operations, the Director of Analytics, the Director of Finance and the Office Manager. This role will require detail-oriented attention to critical needs at SPN and allows room for growth in various avenues where the individual’s interests and organizational needs align.

This position reports to the Senior Director of Operations and requires the candidate to be in the office in Arlington, VA three days/week.

Key Responsibilities

Assist with administering benefits, including enrollment, changes and terminations
Process required documents through payroll and insurance providers to ensure accurate record-keeping and proper deductions
Oversee recruiting efforts and interview process; track status of candidates conducts phone screens, and schedules interviews as needed
Project manage employee onboarding & off-boarding, ensure colleagues are completing their tasks on time
- Complete Forms I-9, verify I-9 documentation, and maintain I-9 files
- Submit online investigation requests and assist with new-employee background checks
Manage employee files, including preparing new-employee files and file documents into appropriate employee files
Assist in administering Salesforce and IT platforms such as access requests, user creation/removal and work with our IT vendor with a focus on fulfilling employee needs

Qualifications

0-3 years of work experience in related fields; internships may be considered experience
Ability to commute to the SPN office (Arlington, VA) 3 days a week
Service-oriented, collaborative, and responsive
Excellent interpersonal skills that build trust and instill confidence
Proactive, entrepreneurial, can operate resourcefully in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
Highly organized and diligent, attention to detail and follow through
Connect deeply with people, maintain trust, and navigate sensitive issues with colleagues
Strong written and verbal communication skills
An exceptional ability to maintain strict confidentiality

Application Process

Qualified candidates should submit the following application materials in one PDF document:

Résumé
A cover letter detailing your philosophical interest in SPN and why you are a good fit for this role

Applications should be submitted to Talent Market via this link: http://talentmarket.org/apply-for-your-dream-job/

There is no application deadline for this position. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. This job will remain posted on our site until it is filled.

Questions can be directed to Katy Gambella, Director of Outreach at Talent Market, who is assisting with the search: katy@talentmarket.org.

While we thank all applicants in advance for their interest in this position, we are only able to contact those to whom we can offer an interview. Only direct applications will be considered. No phone calls, please.