Careers

The Progressive Policy Institute seeks a Deputy Director to help lead our Center for Funding America’s Future, which works to promote fiscally responsible public investment that fosters robust and inclusive economic growth. Our vision is articulated in a comprehensive budget blueprint we published in 2024 containing more than six dozen “radically pragmatic” proposals for strengthening public investments in the foundation of our economy, modernizing federal health and retirement programs to reflect an aging society, and transforming our tax code to reward work over wealth – all while putting the national debt on a downward trajectory.

The Center strives to advance and expand upon these proposals while also responding to major developments in fiscal policy. During the 2020 presidential election, the Center produced the only all-inclusive apples-to-apples estimate of the four leading Democratic candidates’ fiscal plans. It then responded quickly and forcefully to the COVID-19 pandemic, publishing an extensive report within days of the national lockdowns that offered 30 policy proposals to combat the coming recession (and those that come after) using automatic stabilizers. During the Biden administration, the Center supported pro-growth public investments such as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act while pushing back against the inflationary fiscal policies that ultimately contributed to the Democratic Party’s defeats in 2024.

In the coming year, the Center’s top priorities will be advocating for pro-growth alternatives to extending and expanding the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, holding the next administration accountable for the damage likely to be caused by its economic policies, and explaining why reforms are urgently needed to put Social Security and Medicare on a path to sustainable solvency. The Center will also make the case for Democrats to prioritize fiscal responsibility following their failure to do so during the Biden era, which we believe is a pre-requisite to regaining the confidence of American voters for progressive policymaking.

Applicants should be familiar with the federal budget and legislative process and have strong analytical and writing skills. The ideal candidate for this position is someone who can work well collaboratively and independently as needed. This position will report to the Director of the Center for Funding America’s Future.

Responsibilities
• Developing policy recommendations for improving the nation’s fiscal well-being and encouraging greater economic growth and opportunity
• Compiling and analyzing budgetary and economic data from government agencies
• Writing and editing reports, policy memos, blogs, press releases, and op-eds
• Generating visualizations of data, such as charts and infographics
• Tracking legislative and political developments in fiscal policy
• Managing projects with contributing scholars and policy analysts

Qualifications
• Bachelor’s degree in economics, public policy, or a related field (graduate degree preferred)
• At least five years of directly relevant work experience
• Firm grasp of the federal budget and legislative process
• Ability to take initiative, problem-solve, and think strategically
• Strong research and analytical skills
• Excellent writing and presentation skills
• Advanced quantitative capabilities, including proficiency with Microsoft Excel
• Ability to work both collaboratively and independently on multiple tasks in a time-sensitive manner
• Familiarity with reports and datasets from CBO, OMB, GAO, BEA, and other government agencies
• Ability to think creatively about ways to communicate complicated policy issues to the general public
• Social media savvy to help promote PPI work products

Benefits
• Full-time position based in DC, with some work-from-home flexibility
• Competitive salary commensurate with experience (minimum $90,000/year)
• Two weeks of paid vacation, plus one week of paid leave in each of August, November, and December
• Excellent health insurance, including dental
• 403(b) retirement account with a 7% organization match
• Opportunities for upward mobility

To apply, please send a cover letter, resume, and writing sample to info@ppionline.org with the subject line “Deputy Director: Funding America’s Future.” Please save all files as PDFs and begin the file name with First Name, Last Name, and Document type (e.g., JaneSmithResume.pdf).

The Progressive Policy Institute seeks a Policy Analyst to join our Center for Funding America’s Future, which works to promote fiscally responsible public investment that fosters robust and inclusive economic growth. Our vision is articulated in a comprehensive budget blueprint we published in 2024 containing more than six dozen “radically pragmatic” proposals for strengthening public investments in the foundation of our economy, modernizing federal health and retirement programs to reflect an aging society, and transforming our tax code to reward work over wealth – all while putting the national debt on a downward trajectory.

The Center strives to advance and expand upon these proposals while also responding to major developments in fiscal policy. During the 2020 presidential election, the Center produced the only all-inclusive apples-to-apples estimate of the four leading Democratic candidates’ fiscal plans. It then responded quickly and forcefully to the COVID-19 pandemic, publishing an extensive report within days of the national lockdowns that offered 30 policy proposals to combat the coming recession (and those that come after) using automatic stabilizers. During the Biden administration, the Center supported pro-growth public investments such as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act while pushing back against the inflationary fiscal policies that ultimately contributed to the Democratic Party’s defeats in 2024.

In the coming year, the Center’s top priorities will be advocating for pro-growth alternatives to extending and expanding the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, holding the next administration accountable for the damage likely to be caused by its economic policies, and explaining why reforms are urgently needed to put Social Security and Medicare on a path to sustainable solvency. The Center will also make the case for Democrats to prioritize fiscal responsibility following their failure to do so during the Biden era, which we believe is a prerequisite to regaining the confidence of American voters for progressive policymaking.

Applicants should be familiar with the federal budget and legislative process and have strong analytical and writing skills. The ideal candidate for this position is someone who can work well collaboratively and independently as needed. This position will report to the Director of the Center for Funding America’s Future.

Responsibilities

• Developing policy recommendations for improving the nation’s fiscal well-being and encouraging greater economic growth and opportunity
• Compiling and analyzing budgetary and economic data from government agencies
• Drafting reports, policy memos, blogs, and op-eds
• Generating visualizations of data, such as charts and infographics
• Tracking legislative and political developments in fiscal policy

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in economics, public policy, or a related field
• At least one year of directly relevant work experience
• Firm grasp of the federal budget and legislative process
• Ability to take initiative, problem-solve, and think strategically
• Strong research and analytical skills
• Excellent writing and presentation skills
• Advanced quantitative capabilities, including proficiency with Microsoft Excel
• Ability to work both collaboratively and independently on multiple tasks in a time-sensitive manner
• Familiarity with reports and datasets from CBO, OMB, GAO, BEA, and other government agencies
• Ability to think creatively about ways to communicate complicated policy issues to the general public
• Social media savvy to help promote PPI work products

Benefits

• Full-time position based in DC, with some work-from-home flexibility
• Competitive salary commensurate with experience (minimum $60,000/year)
• Two weeks of paid vacation, plus one week of paid leave in each of August, November, and December
• Excellent health insurance, including dental
• 403(b) retirement account with a 7% organization match
• Opportunities for upward mobility

To apply, please send a cover letter, resume, and writing sample to info@ppionline.org with the subject line “Policy Analyst: Funding America’s Future.” Please save all files as PDFs and begin the file name with First Name, Last Name, and Document type (e.g., JaneSmithResume.pdf).

PPI is seeking a part-time, paid fellow to collaborate with the Government Relations and Communications teams for the fall/winter. An ideal candidate will be a news and political junkie with prior experience working in public affairs and digital communications. Must have a genuine interest in domestic politics, foreign policy, current national issues, and a working knowledge of social media networks. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, strong organizational and multitasking skills, exceptional interpersonal skills, and the facility to drive results and consistently meet deadlines are a must. This program places a heavy emphasis on Public Affairs/Government Relations.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Work closely with the Communications team to draft, edit, and create content for various social media platforms
• Draft press releases, blogs, and op-eds
• Assist with planning, recording, editing, and publishing weekly podcast episodes
• Assist with compiling and drafting PPI’s weekly email newsletters
• Editing video content and publishing to YouTube
• Assisting with planning and executing PPI virtual events, interviews, and recordings
• Assist with digital media programming
• Assist PPI’s related projects with digital media duties, such as the Mosaic Economic Project, which focuses on uplifting the voices of women experts in tech and economics
• Compile press clippings and prepare broadcast clips for distribution
• Update and maintain the website
• Assist in compiling internal and external memos and communications
• Fact-checking press releases, op-eds, studies, and reports
• Conducting research and compiling statistics for editorial and web materials
• Other duties related to press, the media, and office operations as assigned

Qualifications:

• Experience working with press or digital communications
• Proficiency with the Google Workspace
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office
• Strong working knowledge of Canva
• Knowledge of social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube
• Strong digital media skills and intuition
• Excellent verbal and writing skills
• Interest in politics and foreign policy
• Intellectual curiosity
• Ability to be a team player and to work in a fast-paced environment
• Flexibility, dedication, and a strong sense of humor!

Preferred:

• Experience working with WordPress
• Experience with the Adobe Creative Suite
• Experience with video and audio editing, or the ability and eagerness to learn
• Knowledge of Mailchimp and email newsletter formatting

To apply, please send a cover letter, resume, and writing sample to info@ppionline.org with the subject line “Communications & Political Affairs Fellow.” Please save all files as PDFs and begin the file name with First Name, Last Name, and Document type (e.g., JaneSmithResume.pdf).

The Progressive Policy Institute is seeking a part-time, paid Policy Fellow for the fall/winter to assist PPI’s policy experts with research, writing, compiling data, and other tasks.

An ideal candidate will be someone with a thorough knowledge of and passion for economics and policy. Must have a genuine interest in domestic politics, foreign policy, and current national issues.

Primary Responsibilities:

PPI’s research and policy work span a wide range of topics, including the data-driven economy, the impact of regulation on innovation, and policies to improve production, investment and job growth, health care policy, education, and much more. The policy fellow will assist PPI’s and contributors in researching, compiling data, and writing policy reports, op-eds, and blog posts for our website.

Qualifications:

• Coursework or other proven knowledge of economic tools and thinking
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills
• Excellent research and writing skills
• Working knowledge of politics and policy
• Strong organizational and multitasking skills
• The ability to self-start and meet deadlines

We are currently seeking fellows interested in working (approximately 20 to 30 hours) during regular weekday hours, but are flexible to other hours based on students’ needs.

To apply, please send a cover letter, writing sample and resume to info@ppionline.org with the subject title “Policy Fellowship Application (followed by your name).” Please indicate what policy areas you are interested in. Due to the number of applications, only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted.

PPI is seeking a part-time, paid fellow to collaborate with PPI’s sister grassroots organization for the fall. An ideal candidate will be a news and political junkie with a broad skill set and experience shifting seamlessly between a wide variety of tasks. 

Must have a genuine interest in advancing center-left politics globally, a strong working knowledge of domestic politics and current national issues, and some experience with social media networks. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, strong organizational and multitasking skills, exceptional interpersonal skills, and the ability to drive results and consistently meet deadlines are a must. 

The Fall Fellow Program will place a heavy emphasis on event planning and grassroots advocacy, while also providing frequent opportunities for policy research, public affairs, and government relations experience. 

Primary Responsibilities:

• Work closely with the grassroots team to plan the organization’s annual summit in October.
• Assist with graphic design for events, grassroots chapters, and social media programming.
• Assist the grassroots team with updating and maintaining their website. 
• Assist with compiling and drafting newsletters and other email campaigns.
• Assist in compiling internal and external memos and communications. 
• Conduct policy and candidate research for ongoing campaigns. 
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications:

• A strong interest in advancing center-left politics
• Coursework or other proven knowledge of economic tools and thinking
• Excellent research and writing skills
• Working knowledge of politics and policy
• Experience with social networking sites such as Twitter, Reddit, and Instagram
• Strong organizational and multitasking skills
• Ability to be a team player and to work in a fast-paced environment
• The ability to self-start and meet deadlines

Preferred: 

• Prior experience working on a campaign or in a political office
• Experience working with Squarespace
• Experience with graphic design software, including Canva and the Adobe Suite
• Experience with EveryAction/NGP VAN’s email and event system

To apply, please send a cover letter, resume, and writing sample to tstone@ppionline.org with the subject line “Advocacy and Policy Fellow.” Please save all files as PDFs and begin the file name with First Name, Last Name, and Document type (e.g., JaneSmithResume.pdf). Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.