Research Collaborative: Program Assistant

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DEPARTMENT

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JOB DESCRIPTION

Summary

Research Collaborative (RC) seeks a highly-organized and proactive Program Assistant to join our remote team full-time. In this role, you’ll help power the operations that keep our research and messaging engine running — coordinating program logistics, supporting partner engagement, and managing the systems that allow us to serve the broader pro-democracy movement.

You’ll report to the Program Manager and collaborate closely with the research team and key external stakeholders to ensure our work moves out into the world quickly, clearly, and effectively in a rapidly evolving landscape. This is a great role for someone who thrives behind the scenes, takes pride in making things work better, and wants to contribute meaningfully to the fight against authoritarianism.

It's long-haul, high-stakes work, and we're committed to being in it together with joy, care, and a deep sense of shared purpose.

Organizational Background

Research Collaborative is a public utility for the pro-democracy movement. We deliver narrative strategy, opinion research, and messaging guidance to counter fascism and advance progress toward a multiracial and equitable democracy, where freedom belongs to all of us — no exceptions. We equip movement partners with the tools they need to cut through the noise, activate the public, and reclaim our shared future.

The Role

In this role, you can expect to:

• Work closely with a supportive and collaborative team that works hard, laughs a lot, and moves quickly in response to rapidly unfolding developments, especially around state and national politics;

• Play a key part in internal coordination and external communications that keep our work sharp and aligned; and

• Take on a wide range of responsibilities as priorities shift and evolve, with strong systems already in place and room for you to shape how we operate.

Among other things, tasks and responsibilities will include:

• Coordinate program offerings and member engagement, including:

• Managing inboxes and responding to external inquiries

• Drafting and sending email updates and managing mailing lists

• Administering webinars and providing live technical support

• Tracking registration, attendance, follow-ups, and subscriptions

• Onboarding new subscribers to the RC Research Portal

• Support internal operations, such as:

• Scheduling meetings, updating calendars, and taking notes

• Uploading materials to the RC Portal and internal folders

• Tracking engagement metrics and internal workflows

• Helping maintain and troubleshoot our tech stack and data systems

• Assist with content preparation and outreach:

• Editing presentations and creating simple data visualizations

• Watching focus groups and identifying key quotes for memos

• Supporting outreach to increase uptake of RC’s tools and guidance

Ideal Candidate

We’re looking for someone who:

• Has 1-2 years of experience in volunteer or paid roles with a campaign, grassroots operation, nonprofit, or campus organization;

• Likes to work collaboratively, solve problems, and take initiative in everything you do;

• Can prioritize in a rapidly evolving landscape and stay calm, steady, and upbeat;

• Is entrepreneurial and intellectually curious by nature, as well as analytical and technologically savvy;

• Is enthusiastic about experimenting and learning from mistakes, but also respects metrics and outcomes;

• Won’t be spiritually crushed by thinking and talking about fascism on the regular;

• Pays close attention to details; and

• Is passionate about social justice and eager to help shape a stronger and more intentional culture of radical candor, courage, clarity, and community.

Your application will reflect:

• Experience using some (or all) of the online platforms currently employed, including but not limited to Hubspot, Zoom, Slack, and Google Workspace;

• Strong written and oral communication skills; and

• A commitment to integrity, inclusion, compassion, and excellence on the job.

Research has shown that women and members of historically marginalized groups often only apply to jobs when they feel they meet 100% of the qualifications. Please resist that conditioning! We are committed to creating an equitable, inclusive, and diverse company and we strongly desire applicants with a wide range of experiences and backgrounds. Even if you don’t see yourself fully reflected in every qualification listed, we still encourage you to reach out and apply!

Location

This is a remote position open to candidates anywhere in the United States and may involve occasional travel.

Compensation and Benefits

This is a full-time, exempt position with an annual salary of $55,000. We offer a highly competitive benefits package to support your health, well-being, and growth, including:

• Employer-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance for you and your family at no cost to you;

• 4 weeks paid vacation, 2 weeks sick leave, 9 federal holidays, and 4 floating holidays;

• Up to 12 weeks of family and medical leave, as well as short- and long-term disability coverage;

• A 401(k) with 5% employer contribution that vests your first day on the job — no match required;

• An employer-provided Macbook and a monthly work-from-home stipend; and

• An annual professional development budget of $1,500.

How to Apply

We’re looking for a self-starter who is comfortable working independently and in teams, highly responsive, and able to lead initiatives as well as take direction from others. If that’s you, please apply, where you will be asked to submit your resume and answers to these three prompts (250 words limit per prompt). The application will close by July 1, 2025 and candidates will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

1. Why do you want to work at Research Collaborative? How does our mission to fight fascism align with your own values and experience?

2. Describe a time when you had to work with a team under tight deadlines or during a fast-paced event. How did you navigate challenges and tradeoffs?

3. How have you incorporated principles of equity and inclusion into your work (volunteer or professional) in the past?

Equity Statement

Research Collaborative is committed to cultivating and supporting a workplace rooted in the values of diversity, equity, justice, and belonging. We understand that continuous learning, meaningful reflection, radical candor, and leading by example in our interactions with others are vital to achieve our goals and foster a safe work environment for everyone. We provide opportunities for anti-bias development and growth to staff, and build just and proactive organizational policies to ensure we are operationalizing our values in all that we do.

We're committed to building a diverse and inclusive pro-democracy movement, and recognize that's impossible without cultivating a diverse and inclusive team. We welcome applications from all, and especially encourage those who have been traditionally sidelined from this work — including women, Black people, Indigenous people, people of color, people with disabilities, immigrants, refugees, and LGBTQ+ folks — to apply.

We can't wait to hear from you!