Job openings
Citizens Union & Citizens Union Foundation
New York, NY (Hybrid)
About Citizens Union
For more than a century, Citizens Union has been at the forefront of reform in New York City. We are a nonpartisan and independent good-government group made up of New Yorkers from diverse backgrounds and political beliefs, dedicated to making democracy work for all and united in putting the public interest ahead of special interests. A principled and pragmatic civic watchdog, we combat corruption and fight for political reform in City and state governments.
Citizens Union works to ensure honest and accountable government, fair and open elections, and a civically engaged public. We are an independent force for constructive reform, driving policy solutions and educating the public to achieve responsible and responsive government in the City and State of New York.
Citizens Union is entering a new chapter, expanding its policy portfolio, deepening public engagement, and launching new platforms to elevate civic leadership and reform.
We are building the leadership capacity to shape the next era of this historic institution.
Position Overview
Citizens Union and Citizens Union Foundation seek a strategic, highly organized Chief of Staff to serve as a senior partner to the Executive Director.
This is a deputy-level role with broad responsibility across programs, fundraising, governance, and operations. The Chief of Staff will help translate vision into execution, help oversee the launch of new initiatives, strengthen internal systems, and prepare the organization for a period of growth and increased public engagement.
The person in this role will help build the next chapter of Citizens Union — ensuring that a 127-year-old institution is positioned for renewed relevance and impact.
Key Responsibilities
- Serve as a trusted advisor and operational partner to the Executive Director
- Help implement the organization’s strategic priorities
- Build systems and workflows to support scale and accountability
Executive Partnership & External Positioning
- Serve as a strategic partner to the Executive Director, helping determine where leadership time and public voice can have the greatest institutional impact
- Shape and manage external engagement strategy, including media, public speaking, convenings, and high-level stakeholder meetings
- Evaluate external opportunities to ensure alignment with Citizens Union’s mission, growth trajectory, and policy priorities
- Develop briefing materials and strategic framing to support high-impact public engagement
- Help position Citizens Union and its leadership for increased visibility and influence
- Support the development and execution of major new initiatives, including:
- A new public events series
- A new editorial platform focused on public policy
- A new civic engagement initiative
- Coordinate staff and consultants to ensure timely, high-quality implementation
- Develop project timelines, budgets, and tracking systems
Fundraising & External Engagement
- Support fundraising strategy and donor engagement
- Prepare grant proposals, reports, and briefing materials for funders
- Assist with cultivation efforts and the annual Gotham Greats event
- Help prepare board materials and support meeting execution
- Strengthen board engagement
- Support strong governance practices and effective board operations
- Improve internal operations and project management systems
- Strengthen performance tracking and evaluation
- Support modernization of communications and public-facing engagement
Qualifications
- 5+ years of experience in nonprofit leadership, public policy, government, or mission-driven organizations
- Strong project management and organizational skills
- Excellent writing and analytical abilities
- Experience supporting senior leadership, fundraising, or board engagement
- Ability to manage multiple workstreams in a fast-paced environment
- Experience in New York City policy and civic reform strongly preferred
- We are particularly interested in candidates who are eager to take on senior responsibility and grow alongside a mission-driven institution.
Compensation
Salary range: $85,000–$110,000, commensurate with experience.
Citizens Union offers a comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance, paid time off, and retirement benefits. This is a full-time, hybrid position based in New York City.
Why This Role Matters
Citizens Union is investing in leadership capacity at a pivotal moment. The Chief of Staff will play a central role in strengthening the organization’s infrastructure, expanding its public reach, and helping guide its evolution for the next generation.
Citizens Union is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applicants of all backgrounds and experiences to apply. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without unlawful discrimination based on race, color, creed, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military status, prior record of arrest or conviction, citizenship status, current employment status, or caregiver status.
To Apply
Interested candidates should send a cover letter and résumé with the subject line, Chief of Staff – [Full Name] to smccullough@citizensunionfoundation.org
Deadline to apply: March 23, 2026.
Citizens Union & Citizens Union Foundation
New York, NY (Hybrid)
About Citizens Union
For more than a century, Citizens Union has been at the forefront of reform in New York City. We are a nonpartisan, independent good-government organization dedicated to promoting ethical leadership, accountable government, fair elections, and a civically engaged public.
As we expand our policy work and public engagement efforts, we are investing in communications leadership to grow our audience, amplify our impact, and strengthen our voice at a pivotal moment for democracy in New York.
Position Overview
Citizens Union seeks a creative, strategic, and hands-on Director of Digital & Communications to lead the organization’s public voice across digital platforms.
This is a key leadership role responsible for translating policy research, public statements, and civic initiatives into compelling content that drives engagement and expands our reach. The person in this role will shape how Citizens Union shows up online — from press releases and newsletters to social media, video, and podcast content.
We are looking for someone who can both think strategically and execute independently. This role requires strong writing skills, fluency in social media platforms, and demonstrated ability to shoot and edit video content. Podcast editing and production experience — or a clear willingness and aptitude to learn — is essential.
Key Responsibilities
Digital Strategy & Growth
- Develop and execute a cohesive digital communications strategy
- Manage and grow Citizens Union’s social media presence across platforms
- Track analytics and adjust strategy to increase engagement, visibility, and impact
- Draft press releases, public statements, website content, and media advisories
- Translate policy papers into accessible, engaging digital content
- Maintain a clear, credible, and consistent institutional voice
- Own and manage Mailchimp and audience segmentation
- Lead production of the weekly Watchdog newsletter
- Oversee the monthly Reformer e-blast
- Expand and deepen our email audience
Video & Multimedia Production (Core Requirement)
- Independently shoot and edit short-form video for social media and digital campaigns
- Capture content at public events and civic convenings
- Produce simple graphics and visual assets to accompany policy releases
- Manage an outside video production company for a major civic engagement project
- Support recording and editing of podcast episodes
- Prepare audio files for publication and distribution
- Develop promotional clips and digital assets for podcast content
Collaboration & Institutional Alignment
- Partner closely with the Executive Director, Policy Director and Chief of Staff on messaging and positioning
- Align communications strategy with fundraising, public events, and policy priorities
Qualifications
- 4–8+ years of experience in digital communications, journalism, public affairs, or mission-driven organizations
- Exceptional writing and editing skills — clarity and judgment are essential
- Demonstrated experience growing social media accounts and creating engaging digital content
- Hands-on experience shooting and editing video (candidates should be prepared to share work samples)
- Experience editing podcasts or audio content, or demonstrated aptitude to learn quickly
- Proficiency in video editing software (e.g. Final Cut, CapCut, or similar)
- Proficiency in Mailchimp or comparable email marketing platforms
- Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple deadlines
- Interest or experience in New York City policy and civic reform strongly preferred
- We are especially interested in candidates who can combine policy fluency with digital creativity — and who are excited to help shape the voice of a historic civic institution entering a new era of growth.
Compensation
Salary range: $75,000–$95,000, depending on experience and demonstrated skill level, particularly in digital production and multimedia content.
Citizens Union offers a comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance, paid time off, and retirement benefits. This is a full-time, hybrid position based in New York City.
Citizens Union is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applicants of all backgrounds and experiences to apply. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without unlawful discrimination based on race, color, creed, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military status, prior record of arrest or conviction, citizenship status, current employment status, or caregiver status.
To Apply
Interested candidates should send a cover letter and résumé with the subject line, Director of Digital and Communications – [Full Name] to smccullough@citizensunionfoundation.org
Deadline to apply: March 23, 2026.
Citizens Union Foundation
New York, NY (Remote, with ability to attend occasional in-person meetings in NYC)
Part-time contract position
About Citizens Union
For more than a century, Citizens Union has been at the forefront of reform in New York City. We are a nonpartisan and independent good-government group made up of New Yorkers from diverse backgrounds and political beliefs, dedicated to making democracy work for all and united in putting the public interest ahead of special interests. A principled and pragmatic civic watchdog, we combat corruption and fight for political reform in City and state governments.
Citizens Union works to ensure honest and accountable government, fair and open elections, and a civically engaged public. We are an independent force for constructive reform, driving policy solutions and educating the public to achieve responsible and responsive government in the City and State of New York.
Citizens Union is entering a new chapter, expanding its policy portfolio, deepening public engagement, and launching new platforms to elevate civic leadership and reform.
We are building the leadership capacity to shape the next era of this historic institution.
Position Overview
Citizens Union is launching a new policy journal focused on the ideas, debates, and solutions shaping the future of New York City. We are seeking an Editor, Policy Journal to serve as the founding editorial lead for this new platform.
Working closely with the Executive Director, the Editor will help develop the publication’s editorial voice, cultivate contributors from across New York’s civic and policy communities, and produce a steady stream of compelling opinion and analysis.
The Editor will play a central role in shaping the journal’s identity and establishing it as a trusted forum for thoughtful debate about the city’s most pressing challenges.
About the Journal
The new policy journal will serve as a forum for serious, solutions-oriented debate about the future of New York City. Through original commentary from leading thinkers, policymakers, civic leaders, and practitioners, the publication will elevate new ideas, challenge conventional thinking, and highlight practical solutions to the city’s most pressing challenges.
By pairing timely digital commentary with a curated print edition and podcast conversations, the journal aims to become a leading platform for thoughtful debate on New York’s future — a place where policymakers, scholars, journalists, and civic leaders come to share ideas that shape the city’s agenda.
For the right candidate, this is a unique opportunity to help launch and shape a high-profile publication at the center of New York’s policy conversation, working closely with influential voices across the city’s civic, academic, business, and political communities.
Key Responsibilities
Editorial Strategy & Platform Development
- Work with the Executive Director to develop the brand, voice, and editorial strategy for the new policy journal
- Identify key policy themes and emerging issues to guide the journal’s editorial direction
- Help establish the publication as a trusted platform for policy debate and commentary
Op-Ed Development & Editing
- Generate ideas for timely op-eds and commentary on major policy debates affecting New York
- Solicit and cultivate contributions from leading voices in New York’s civic, policy, academic, and business communities
- Edit and prepare 3–4 op-eds per week for publication
- Ensure articles are clear, compelling, accessible, and grounded in strong policy analysis
Newsletter Production
- Write and produce a weekly policy-focused newsletter
- Feature original commentary from the policy journal
- Curate and aggregate important policy stories and reporting from other news outlets
Print Journal
- Produce a twice-yearly printed policy journal featuring a curated selection of the journal’s original op-eds and commentary
- Work with leadership to shape themes, content selection, and editorial framing for each edition
Qualifications
Strong candidates will have:
- A deep understanding of New York City government, policy, and political dynamics
- Excellent writing, editing, and editorial judgment
- The ability to generate strong op-ed ideas and identify timely policy debates
- Experience working with writers, policymakers, academics, and civic leaders
- Strong professional networks within New York’s policy, media, and civic communities
- Experience producing newsletters or other recurring editorial content
- The ability to manage multiple pieces of content and maintain a consistent editorial cadence
- Experience in journalism, policy communications, public affairs, or editorial roles preferred
We are particularly interested in candidates with deep knowledge of New York’s policy landscape and strong networks across the city’s civic, academic, and media communities.
Compensation
This is a part-time contract role. Compensation will be structured as a monthly project fee ranging from $5,000–$6,500, based on experience and expected time commitment.
This is a remote position based in New York City, but the editor will be expected to attend occasional in-person meetings in Manhattan.
Why This Role Matters
Citizens Union is investing in leadership capacity at a pivotal moment. The Editor, Policy Journal will play a central role in shaping a new platform for public policy debate, expanding the organization’s public reach, and helping elevate ideas and voices that can shape New York’s future.
Citizens Union is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applicants of all backgrounds and experiences to apply. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without unlawful discrimination based on race, color, creed, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military status, prior record of arrest or conviction, citizenship status, current employment status, or caregiver status.
To Apply
Interested candidates should send a cover letter and résumé with the subject line, Editor, Policy Journal – [Full Name] to smccullough@citizensunionfoundation.org
Deadline to apply: March 23, 2026.
Internships
Citizens Union typically recruits interns ahead of the spring, fall, and summer semesters, depending on need and capacity. Interns participate in policy research, candidate evaluation, events planning, and much more. They learn valuable research and writing skills, attend legislative hearings, and gain familiarity with city and state governments. Citizens Union’s internship program is open to candidates with a variety of backgrounds, but with an interest in New York City and State politics, policy, and civic life. We are happy to work with academic institutions to facilitate receiving credit, grants, or stipends.
Internships with Citizens Union are hybrid, and includes some in person attendance at our offices, located at New York Law School.
Current internship opportunities with Citizens Union can be found here. You may also reach out to policy@citizensunion.org with a cover letter and résumé.