PPS Director, Business & Democracy Initiative 

Public Private Strategies (PPS) creates opportunities where the public and private sectors meet. We bring together diverse allies including foundations, associations, corporations, small businesses, and entrepreneurs to solve pressing societal challenges. By harnessing the power of the private sector, we build coalitions, activate campaigns, and create strategic partnerships to drive desired policy and market outcomes. Find out more and connect with us at www.publicprivatestrategies.com. 

About The Business & Democracy Initiative: The Business & Democracy Initiative (B&DI) is a partnership of business voices driving private sector coordination to sustain our democratic institutions. Corporate leaders have a unique understanding of the benefits of a stable economy and a well-functioning democracy – and the inextricable correlation between the two. B&DI is dedicated to creating a more stable, inclusive, and healthy democracy. B&DI’s capabilities include:

• Engaging and educating the business community about threats to democracy and the role business can play in protecting democracy.
• Convening a diverse set of  business stakeholders to support democratic reforms that keep our democracy  stable and our economy strong.
• Shifting the narrative and amplifying business voices to protect our democratic institutions.

Position Overview: Public Private Strategies (PPS) is seeking a Director to oversee and drive PPS’s activities around business and democracy, and play a leadership role in the Business & Democracy Initiative, a multi-year, multi-million dollar effort to organize and mobilize the private sector in defense of US democracy. Working alongside committed coalition partners, this leader will drive coordination, accelerate change, and advance work within and across the business community to sustain and strengthen our democratic institutions. 

The Director will work closely with our team of experts both at PPS and at our core coalition partners, Leadership Now Project and Black Economic Alliance, to coordinate and mobilize business leaders around democracy issues leading up to 2024. 

The successful candidate will play a lead role in providing strategic leadership and vision across multiple workstreams, identifying and acting on opportunities for impact, and providing direct engagement with partners, policymakers, and the media as appropriate. The ideal candidate will have experience in business organizing and advocacy; a passion for the private sector as a change agent; strong communications skills; and an entrepreneurial spirit. 

Responsibilities include:

• Serve as project lead for PPS’s work on the Business & Democracy Initiative and all work related to engaging businesses on democracy, providing strategic leadership and overseeing all day-to-day activities;
• Manage progress across multiple work streams to measurable results and grant deliverables;
• Provide communications support by drafting or reviewing materials and resources and serving as a PPS spokesperson and engage with the media as needed;
• Manage PPS internal team of staff and consultants working on business and democracy;
• Track external activity and identify opportunities for impact by PPS and B&DI partners and coalition members; and
• Identify funding opportunities, manage deliverables, and liaise with project funders.

Education and Experience Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in related field required, advanced degree preferred.
• At least ten years of professional work experience.
• Experience figuring out how to move challenging issues through a combination of policy change, narrative shift, and organizing private sector actors.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills. You can communicate effectively with people with varying levels of expertise from business leaders to members of Congress to colleagues and partners.
• Excellent organizational skills. You can multitask effectively without sacrificing quality.
• Passionate about democracy issues as well as the role that the private sector can play to defend and strengthen democratic institutions.
• Work independently and as part of a team.
• Approach your work with flexibility, initiative, and a willingness to pivot as issues arise.

How to Apply

For consideration, e-mail one single PDF including a cover letter, resumé and at least two (2)

references to: maya@publicprivatestrategies.com with the subject line: Business & Democracy Initiative Director. The deadline for application is September 30, 2023.
EEO Statement

Acceptance for everyone, everywhere is at the heart of our organization. We promote diversity of thought, culture, and background. As such, we are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion or religious creed, mental or physical disability, medical condition, genetic information, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, military or veteran status, citizenship, or other characteristics protected by state or federal law or local ordinance.