Senior Manager, Special Projects

• Serve as the lead project manager for cross-departmental working groups, driving progress on organizational goals and high-visibility strategic priorities

• Translate strategic goals into detailed workplans, schedules, and task assignments, monitoring day-to-day progress to ensure teams consistently hit key milestones

• Track inputs, deadlines, and deliverables across internal teams to maintain momentum on complex, multi-stakeholder projects

• Cultivate strong working relationships with leaders across the organization 

• Build and track project budgets, monitoring resource allocation and billed hours against project scopes
• Handle sensitive organizational data and strategic conversations with deep discretion, sound judgment, and a high standard of confidentiality.

• Proactively identify project dependencies, potential bottlenecks, and risks early, working with teams to navigate delays and keep work on schedule

• Develop, implement, and invest stakeholders in standardized project management templates, intake workflows, and KPI tracking dashboards using tools like Asana

• Maintain clear communication across project teams and executive leadership, providing transparent, regular updates on project health, milestones, and strategic priority progress

• Design agendas, schedule, and facilitate effective cross-functional project meetings—from initial brainstorming and alignment sessions to post-launch retrospectives

• Provide project management support to convenings and retreats as needed

• Execute necessary project-related administrative tasks and perform other duties as assigned to support organizational efficiency

You will thrive in this role if you have:

• A strong commitment to Common Cause’s nonpartisan mission and to advancing civil rights through our pro-democracy agenda     
• Ability to manage and meet deadlines for multiple short- and long-term priorities at once – including shifting priorities, with high attention to detail; strong organization skills, and the ability to manage your time independently 
• A track record of working collaboratively with others, with the ability to build rapport, trust, and credibility with multiple stakeholders with diverse interests 
• Innovative and strategic thinking skills, with the ability to proactively navigate through ambiguity and address risks before they escalate
• Ability to navigate organizational and power dynamics, respectfully navigate conflict while maintaining your values, and influence others to adopt changes to meet common goals 
• Ability to compel action through both written and verbal communication, including distilling complex concepts for a broad audience, and to differentiate communications as needed for various audiences
• A commitment to equity in the goals of your work and in how you work with others 
• Openness to feedback and awareness of your own strengths and areas for growth    
• Familiarity with office productivity tools including Microsoft Office and Zoom, as well as strong knowledge of project management platforms (e.g. Asana)

The following is required:

• Certification as a Project Management Professional 

• Experience leading complex projects across multiple stakeholders, ideally within a nonprofit, a political campaign, and/or within an advocacy or policy environment  

• Ability to work in our DC office at least two days a week, and to travel 3-4 times per year for team and/or staff retreats  

• Willing to have a social media presence on behalf of Common Cause, including being tagged on posts and creating content on behalf of the organization (as needed, Common Cause will provide accounts for staff members to use)  

• Per our nonpartisan policy, Common Cause staff members may not currently be in elected office (or running for office); on the Steering Committee or Finance Committee for any political candidate; or affiliated with the leadership of a political party 

Additional information about this role:

• This position is classified as confidential and therefore not included in the union-represented collective bargaining unit 

• Common Cause is unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time; please note that if hired, you will be asked to produce documentation for authorization to work in the US 

Common Cause is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applicants of any race, creed, color, religion, ethnicity, national origin, income class, political affiliation, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, veteran status, or marital status, as well as applicants who have been previously incarcerated. 

Common Cause (501(c)(4)) and Common Cause Education Fund (501(c)(3)) are nonpartisan, nonprofit grassroots affiliate organizations dedicated to upholding the core values of American democracy. We work to create an open, honest, and accountable government that serves the public interest; promote equal rights, opportunity, and representation for all; and empower all people to make their voices heard in the political process.   

Founded in 1970 and headquartered in Washington, DC, Common Cause has members and supporters living in every congressional district in the United States, and offices in 23 states around the country.