Founded by the George Washington University Law School and GWPatricia Roberts Harris Research Professor of Law Spencer Overton,the Multiracial Democracy Project(“the MDP”) is an initiative ofthe George Washington University Law School that seeks to producesolutions that facilitate our nation’s transition to awell-functioning democracy that truly represents our increasinglydiverse population. Through education, research, and convenings,theMDPseeks to address many of the most urgent problemsfacing multiracial democracy—disinformation, cultural anxiety,racial polarization, antidemocratic attitudes, vote dilution, votersuppression, and the decline of key voting rightsprotections.
TheMDPenables GW Law faculty and students, as well asvoting rights leaders, democracy reform leaders, tech policyleaders, policymakers, and renowned experts, to work and teachacross its three pillars by:
- Educating and building the next generation of democracyproblem-solvers
- Becoming a hub of research, translation, and innovation onmultiracial democracy
- Convening leading experts from academic, civil rights,democracy reform, technology, and policy communities
TheMDPwill convert actionable research and discoveriesinto real-world impact through research and teaching. GW’sproximity to federal leaders and strengths at the intersection ofeducation, technology, democracy, and civil rights create the idealenvironment to develop innovative solutions to our most pressingchallenges. Initially, theMDPwill focus on two issuesthat are critical to the future of representative democracy in ourdiverse nation: artificial intelligence and alternative electionsystems.
The core belief of theMDPis that a pluralistic, liberaldemocracy that protects the political rights of all Americansregardless of race, ethnicity, culture, language, or religion isfeasible in the United States. The inaugural Executive Director oftheMDPwill be an entrepreneurial visionary with deepfamiliarity with the public policy process, the civil rightscommunity, and the democracy reform and/or tech policy communities.The ideal candidate will have a demonstrated ability to collaborateand coordinate with members of the civil rights community andacademic researchers, and an ability to engage with policymakersand the democracy reform and tech policy communities. TheExecutive Director will manage two Project Managers and anAdministrative Assistant, and will have the discretion to build ateam to support theMDPas its needs evolve over time.The Executive Director will administratively report to the GW LawSenior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and work in closeconsultation with the MDP’s Founder and Faculty Director, and itsadvisory boards. The advisory boards will be established and led bythe Executive Director in partnership with Professor Overton, andwill support theMDPthrough expertise, philanthropy,passion, and connections.
Responsibilities for the Executive Directorinclude: Ambassador fortheMDP
- Represent theMDPas an inspiring and credibleambassador with diverse audiences, including voting rights leaders,democracy reform leaders, tech policy leaders, policymakers,community partners, philanthropic leaders, media, funders, andother actors whose partnership will be integral in transitioningthe MDP’s research and thought leadership into actionable policychange and practice innovations
- Develop the MDP’s values and promote a culture and environmentthat reflects those values and those of GW
- Develop and foster strategic relationships, includingrecruiting public and private sector partners
Developing Strategy and Ensuring Implementation of theMDP’s Goals ● Oversee and steward programmatic prioritiesand grant obligations on democracy issues (including those onelection reform, artificial intelligence, and multiracial democracytheory and policy) ● Oversee and lead the MDP’s team in: ○Developing vision, strategy, and annual goals for theMDP ○Organizing symposia, conferences, panels, roundtables, and othergatherings of scholars, practitioners, non-profit leaders,philanthropic leaders, private sector leaders, and governmentofficials ○ Making the research of affiliated scholars (includingthat of the Founder and Faculty Director) accessible, impactful,and useful for civil rights organizations and other stakeholders ○Drafting and submitting amicus briefs, agency comment letters,legislative testimony, nonpartisan analysis and research, andresponses to requests for technical assistance from governmentalbodies ○ Preparing the Executive Director, the Founder and FacultyDirector, scholars, and other experts for legislative testimony,media appearances, and other public education on democracyissues.
Advisory Board and Partner Management ●Establish and manage advisory boards for theMDP, includingarticulating their goals and the roles of the members anddeveloping processes for communications and application of theirexpertise and guidance ● Cultivate and maintain deep relationshipswith relevant staff at organizations working on civil rights andracial justice, tech policy, and democracy reform, and withpolicymakers and federal agency staff working on the same ● Managecollaborations with other GW projects, initiatives, centers,institutes, and programs (e.g., GW Equity Institute; GW Center forLaw and Technology; GW Institute for Data, Democracy & Politics(IDDP)) on relevant projects ● Manage collaborations with peeracademic centers at other universities (e.g., Charles HamiltonHouston Institute for Race & Justice at Harvard Law School,Stanford Cyber Policy Center,SNfa*gora Institute atJohns Hopkins University) on relevant projects ● Organize networksof organizations, scholars, and policymakers concerning democracy,racial justice, and technology issues.
Administration of theMDP ● Plan,develop, and direct the day-to-day operations of theMDP,including building the staff team and serving as the primary staffleader ● Engage with Human Resources, Procurement, Finance, andother essential GW departments ● Work with the Founder and FacultyDirector to hire two Project Managers, Administrative Assistant,and other staff to develop and articulate operational priorities,programming, and benchmark progress ● Work with the staff todevelop cultural principles/values of theMDP, and systems forestablishing and tracking objectives and key results ● Manage theprocess of establishing theMDPas a chartered center atGW Law School ● Develop long-term growth initiatives fortheMDP ● In coordination with the GW Office of Communicationsand Marketing, oversee the development of and execution of acommunications plan to disseminate work product, activities, andfuture plans of theMDPto funders, researchers,policymakers, the public, and other stakeholders ● Oversee theMDP’s financial position and outlook and steward the MDP’s budgetand long-term financial health ● Create goals and oversee andimplement strategies for fundraising and maintaining donorrelationships (along with GW’s development office and the Founderand Faculty Director) ● Work in partnership with GW’s Office ofCorporate and Foundation Relations and the Office of the ViceProvost for Research to oversee the development of grant proposals,tracking of grant obligations, allocation of expenditures togrants, grant report submission, and compliance with GW and GW Lawpolicies.
Performs other related responsibilities as assigned. The omissionof specific duties does not preclude the supervisor from assigningduties that are logically related to the position.
If interested, please apply at:https://www.gwu.jobs/postings/111335
The university is an Equal Employment Opportunity/AffirmativeAction employer that does not unlawfully discriminate in any of itsprograms or activities on the basis of race, color, religion, sex,national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexualorientation, gender identity or expression, or on any other basisprohibited by applicable law. Successful Completion of a BackgroundScreening will be required as a condition of hire.
