Application Guide
How to Apply for Director of Government Affairs & Partnerships
at REBUILD LOCAL NEWS
🏢 About REBUILD LOCAL NEWS
Rebuild Local News is a nonprofit at the forefront of using public policy to combat the local news crisis. Unlike organizations that focus solely on business models or philanthropy, they champion First Amendment-friendly legislation that has already directed $74 million to local newsrooms. Working here means directly shaping democracy-preserving policies across multiple states.
About This Role
The Director of Government Affairs & Partnerships leads the design and execution of state-level legislative campaigns to strengthen community news. You'll work with a small, agile team to pass laws in new states, manage coalitions, and build relationships with lawmakers. This role offers high impact—your efforts can secure millions in funding for local journalism.
💡 A Day in the Life
Mornings often start with a virtual check-in with the COO or President to align on legislative priorities. You might spend the afternoon drafting testimony for a state hearing, then hop on a call with coalition partners in a target state to strategize on grassroots outreach. Evenings could involve reviewing bill language or prepping for a meeting with a state legislator.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who REBUILD LOCAL NEWS Is Looking For
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📝 Tips for Applying to REBUILD LOCAL NEWS
1. Highlight specific state legislative wins you've led—mention bills, coalition partners, and the funding or policy change achieved. 2. Demonstrate your understanding of First Amendment constraints in policy design; reference their existing work in California, Illinois, etc. 3. Tailor your resume to show both strategic planning and on-the-ground lobbying experience, not just policy analysis. 4. In your cover letter, connect your passion for local news to your advocacy skills—mention a local news outlet you follow or a community affected by news deserts. 5. Prepare a brief (1-page) memo on a policy idea for a state not yet in their portfolio, showing initiative and fit for the role.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
• Emphasize your experience passing state laws and managing coalitions, with concrete examples of your role in legislative victories. • Show genuine passion for local journalism and understanding of the crisis; mention specific policies (e.g., tax credits, payroll subsidies) the organization champions. • Highlight your ability to work remotely and autonomously, with examples of self-directed campaign execution. • Demonstrate political savvy—ability to work across party lines and with diverse stakeholders like unions and publishers.
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → 1. Review their website (rebuildlocalnews.org) to understand all policy proposals, especially the Local Journalism Sustainability Act and state tax credit models. 2. Read recent press releases or news articles about bills they've passed in California, Illinois, and New York to grasp their legislative wins and language. 3. Look up the Rebuild Local News Coalition member list to understand the stakeholder landscape (e.g., NewsGuild, Institute for Nonprofit News). 4. Check the organization's blog or media mentions for their stance on current issues like AI and local news or federal policy debates.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- 1. Submitting a generic cover letter that doesn't reference their specific policy work or the local news crisis—they want demonstrated passion. 2. Overemphasizing federal lobbying experience without state-level examples; this role is state-focused. 3. Ignoring the remote nature—failing to show self-discipline and communication skills for a fully remote team.
📅 Application Timeline
This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.
Typical hiring timeline:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!
Ready to Apply?
Good luck with your application to REBUILD LOCAL NEWS!