Policy Manager, The States Forum

Position: Policy Manager

Location:  Remote, with 10% of expected travel for in-person team meetings and events. 

Deadline to apply: 5pm ET on November 18, 2026

Who We Are

The States Forum (TSF) was founded on the conviction that delivering for the American people requires more than good policy ideas. It requires good ideas based in a clear, coherent worldview that policymakers can articulate and Americans can aspire to.

Most Americans want the same things: the freedom to control their own lives and a real path from effort to opportunity. But power over our economy, government, and culture is concentrated in too few hands, leaving a democracy that fails many Americans. TSF helps leaders deliver on what matters most to the people who elected them. TSF’s mission is to reinvigorate Americans’ trust in our democracy by producing and disseminating state-based ideas grounded in our nation’s founding ideals of political equality, universal rights, individual freedom, and true economic opportunity for everyone. 

TSF focuses on states because that’s where the government still works for Americans. We are building a network of thinkers, practitioners, and policymakers who generate ideas. We do this work through partnerships, policy accelerators, research, and convenings; and we publish written, graphic, and video content through our own channels.

Position Details

This is a full-time, exempt, at-will position. The team operates remotely, with occasional in-person team retreats, etc. Some travel will be required. Additional evening and weekend hours are occasionally required to fulfill the duties of this position. 

The Opportunity 

The Policy Manager will support the development of TSF’s policy and idea products and manage the day-to-day operation of our fellows program. Reporting to the Senior Director of Policy, this role will research and write policy materials and serve as the main point of contact and manager for our graduate student fellows program. This person will also keep idea products on schedule and maintain the pipeline of ideas, so that contributor work is integrated into TSF’s broader body of work.

This role requires a mix of policy expertise, strong project management, and interest in joining a startup. Our ideal candidate is a strong researcher and writer who is equally comfortable shaping policy content and keeping projects and contributors on track. They can translate complex policy concepts into clear, practical products that state lawmakers and partners can use. They bring a sharp editorial eye to others’ work and stay on top of developments in state policy. The ideal candidate is also highly organized, accountable to deadlines, and a fun person to work with.

What You Will Do

• Researching, drafting, and editing TSF policy products, including policy documents, idea briefs, and memos, that turn complex concepts into practical tools for state lawmakers and partners.

• Managing the day-to-day operation of TSF’s fellows program, from onboarding through tracking progress against TSF’s overall calendar.

• Leading the internal process for idea briefs, including review, quality control, and maintaining TSF’s library of ideas.

• Conduct background research and landscape scans on policy topics.

• Help translate complex policy concepts into clear, practical products for state lawmakers and partners.

• Help develop the fellows and senior fellows program and serve as its day-to-day point of contact.

• Support onboarding of new fellows and contributors, including orienting them to TSF’s approach, standards, and templates.

• Track contributor progress and alignment with the organization’s overall calendar.

• Review briefs submitted by fellows and contributors for quality, consistency, and alignment with TSF’s approach.

• Occasionally draft and manage idea briefs produced internally through the review process.

• Maintain an organized library of TSF ideas and briefs.

• Summarize idea briefs for the content and distribution teams, and help identify partners for uptake of ideas.

• Collaborate with the Senior Manager, Partnerships & Outreach to support the dissemination of ideas through Substack posts, idea briefs, and event materials.

• Monitor state policy developments and legislative trends.

• Help refine TSF’s idea production processes, templates, and guidance documents.

• 3-5 years of relevant experience in policy research, analysis, or development, ideally in policy, nonprofit, or government settings.

• Excellent research, writing, and editing skills, with the ability to make complex ideas clear and actionable.

• Familiarity with state policy and the state legislative process; experience working with or for state lawmakers is a plus.

• Capable of independently managing time and tasks associated with a fast-paced organization.

• Clear communication skills.

What You Can Expect During the Recruitment and Hiring Process:

All applicants will submit a resume and cover letter. Selected applicants will be moved forward to a phone screen. The next steps will include interviews with leadership.