Operations and Legal Assistant

Democracy Defenders Action, a 501(c)(4) organization

Full time, Non-Exempt, Remote

Organizational Overview

The Democracy Defenders family of organizations (a c3, c4, legally separate PAC, and The Contrarian) is a leader in the fight against authoritarianism, working strategically in the courts and court of public opinion to restore American democracy by: upholding the rule of law, safeguarding free and fair elections, and fighting corruption.

Role Purpose

The Operations and Legal Assistant supports the General Counsel/Chief Operating Officer (GC/COO) to ensure DDA and its related entities achieve our strategic goals and remain compliant. Through scheduling, task and project management, and records keeping for the GC/COO, the OLA will gain exposure to the broad range of areas that the GC/COO’s role touches, including the organizations’ operations and strategy, nonprofit compliance, voting and elections, contract management, and fundraising. Additionally, the OLA is a key member of the Operations team, responsible for building and implementing scalable systems and norms that maximize impact and support employee effectiveness. 

To best protect, strengthen, and rebuild our democracy, it is critical that DDA’s staff reflects the diversity of backgrounds and experiences represented in the democracy we seek to defend.  Applicants of all backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply. 

Responsibilities

Administrative support to GC/COO

• Manage GC/COO’s calendar to align meetings and work-blocks with strategic priorities
• Prioritize and track incoming requests from staff and external partners (via email, messages, meetings), triaging urgent requests and ensuring timely responses 
• Maintain and track GC/COO’s list of daily tasks and weekly priorities, and support in task and project execution as directed 
• Support GC/COO in preparation and dissemination of materials (presentation decks, written reports, project plans, meeting agendas and summaries, etc) 
• Attend virtual meetings alongside and on behalf of GC/COO and effectively communicate and track key takeaways and action items
• Complete other administrative tasks as needed, such as booking travel, submitting expenses, completing timesheets, etc

Organization-wide operations support 

• Maintain up-to-date records on contracts, annual compliance items (ex insurance, charitable registrations, corporate reports), and internal processes  
• Support Operations team members in establishing and overseeing key organization processes (matter intake, contract management, performance reviews etc) 
• Support research, document retention, and information management efforts
• In collaboration with Operations team members (GC/COO, Senior Strategist People Operations, Operations Manager), complete projects focused on fostering organization effectiveness and supporting employee morale 

Qualifications

• 2+ years experience in an administrative or operations position; experience in a law firm, nonprofit, or democracy-focused organization a plus 
• Strong time management skills, including the ability to meet deadlines and prioritize tasks appropriately
• Adept at juggling multiple information streams and changing priorities in a fast-paced and extremely high stakes environment
• Highly organized with vigorous attention to detail 
• Sound judgment and discretion when handling sensitive or confidential information
• Clear and concise written communication and aptitude for distilling key information from multiple sources 
• Unwavering commitment to fighting autocracy, safeguarding free and fair elections, and building a resilient democracy; Experience (professional, volunteer, or otherwise) advancing democracy, election integrity, and the rule of law 
• Commitment to diversity and inclusivity and an ability to work with colleagues and stakeholders across diverse cultures, backgrounds, and beliefs 
• Available for meetings and tasks until 5pm PT/ 8pm ET 

Role and Compensation Details 

This is a remote position that may be performed from any state in the U.S. We offer optional access to office space in Washington, DC. 

The Operations and Legal Assistant sits in our Operations department and reports to the General Counsel/Chief Operating Officer. 

This role supports Democracy Defenders Action (c4), Democracy Defenders Fund (c3), and Democracy Defenders PAC.

The salary range for this position is $60,000 - $80,000, commensurate with experience. 

DDA provides a comprehensive benefits package including 20+ days of PTO, 12 holidays, health insurance (100% paid for employee and 50% paid for family), 401K with match, tech and home office stipends, coworking space access, and recurring teambuilding opportunities. 

Application Instructions 

To apply, include a resume, and in lieu of a cover letter, respond briefly (300 words or less) to the below prompts:

1. Why are you interested in working with us to protect democracy, election integrity, and the rule of law? 
2. What are three prior experiences that make you uniquely qualified for this role? Please explain briefly. 
3. What experience do you have, both personally and professionally, that will help you engage stakeholders with the diversity of backgrounds and experiences found in our democracy? 

Democracy Defenders Action is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by law. 

If you think you meet only some of the qualifications and are unsure about applying, we encourage you to make a case as to why you are a compelling candidate. A human reviews all application materials, and we are eager to hear from candidates who may not meet all of the qualifications, who possess transferable skills, and who have non-traditional work histories