Application Guide
How to Apply for Senior Political Director, Reproductive Rights
at State Innovation Exchange
🏢 About State Innovation Exchange
The State Innovation Exchange (SiX) is unique as a 501(c)(3) policy and strategy center dedicated exclusively to empowering progressive state legislators, providing them with tools and capacity-building resources. Unlike advocacy groups that work externally, SiX operates 'inside the dome,' directly equipping lawmakers to shape impactful public policy. This makes it an ideal workplace for those who want to influence progressive governance from within legislative systems.
About This Role
This Senior Political Director role involves leading political strategy and implementation for SiX Repro's Policy Team, including legislative strategy for the Reproductive Freedom Leadership Council (RFLC). You'll develop and execute proactive and defensive legislative strategies tailored to varied state contexts, informed by substantive expertise in post-Dobbs abortion policy. The role is impactful as it requires making strategic calls in fast-moving, high-stakes moments about when to advance, pause, or disengage on reproductive rights issues.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might involve developing legislative strategies for the Reproductive Freedom Leadership Council, providing technical assistance to state lawmakers on reproductive rights bills, and making strategic calls about when to advance or pause initiatives based on political developments. You'd likely coordinate with coalition partners, brief legislators on fast-moving policy developments, and oversee implementation of core program activities like convenings and rapid-response interventions.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who State Innovation Exchange Is Looking For
- Has proven experience working both inside state legislatures ('inside the dome') and with external partners, including legislative caucuses and committees
- Demonstrates experience managing complex coalitions in reproductive health, rights, and justice or adjacent progressive policy spaces
- Has a track record of managing and developing senior staff, setting direction, and providing strategic leadership
- Possesses substantive expertise in post-Dobbs abortion policy and can apply it to varied state legislative contexts
📝 Tips for Applying to State Innovation Exchange
Highlight specific examples of working 'inside the dome' with state lawmakers, chambers, caucuses, or committees in your resume
Quantify your experience managing complex coalitions in reproductive rights or adjacent progressive policy spaces
Demonstrate your post-Dobbs abortion policy expertise by mentioning specific legislative strategies you've developed or implemented
Showcase your experience managing senior staff and providing strategic direction in fast-moving political environments
Tailor your application to SiX's unique model of empowering progressive state legislators rather than external advocacy
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
['Your specific experience working inside state legislatures and with legislative caucuses/committees', 'Examples of managing complex coalitions in reproductive rights or adjacent progressive policy spaces', "Your substantive expertise in post-Dobbs abortion policy and how you've applied it to legislative strategy", 'Your approach to providing senior-level political judgment in fast-moving, high-stakes moments']
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → SiX's Reproductive Freedom Leadership Council (RFLC) and its current legislative priorities
- → SiX's model of working 'inside the dome' with progressive state legislators
- → Recent SiX publications or resources on reproductive rights policy
- → The specific state legislative contexts where SiX is currently active on reproductive rights
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Focusing only on external advocacy experience without demonstrating 'inside the dome' legislative work
- Being vague about post-Dobbs abortion policy expertise or legislative strategy experience
- Failing to show experience managing complex coalitions or partnerships in reproductive rights spaces
📅 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 State Innovation Exchange!