Project Associate in Washington, District of Columbia at THE PARTNERSHIP PROJECT

Context: The Partnership Project is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization focused on supporting the collaborative efforts of the environmental community. Our programs focus on critical environmental issues including climate change, emissions reduction, and environmental and climate justice.

We provide fiscal sponsorship and organizational support to our programs, empowering them to undertake the vital work of preserving our planet. Guided by our core principles of Equity, Integrity, Service, and Innovation, we are committed to fostering a healthy environment - both within our workplace and in the broader world. Through these values, we strive to make a meaningful contribution to creating a sustainable and positive impact on our planet and an inclusive workplace where everyone can bring their full and authentic self to do this critical work.

Combined Defense 3.0 strengthens environmental advocacy by connecting organizations, filling gaps, and supporting coordinated action on environmental policy. CD3 facilitates collaboration, shares intelligence and resources, and provides research-backed messaging and advocacy tools to help partners stay informed, aligned, and effective.

Scope: The Project Associate assists with the administrative, operational, and program responsibilities of the Combined Defense 3.0 (CD3), working closely with the Managing Director and CD3 staff. The Project Associate ensures smooth operational processes, enhanced fundraising engagement activities, and supports the communication of CD3 out to coalition stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities:

Administrative & Operational Core:

• Calendar & Priority Management: Manage the Project Director’s schedule with the goal of prioritizing his time for key leadership responsibilities and projects.
• Meeting & Event Logistics: Help schedule and then coordinate partner meetings and hosted events (largely virtual, with occasional in-person logistics), managing everything from tech setup to materials distribution.
• Grantmaker research & fundraising support:
  • Conduct in-depth research to identify and evaluate prospective foundation, corporate, and individual funders whose priorities align with the organization's mission and programs.
  • Maintain and update a prospect pipeline/database, tracking funder interests, giving history, application deadlines, and reporting requirements.
  • Track outreach and follow-up on prospective funder contacts, proactively flagging outstanding action items and check-in points for the Director.
  • Maintain a running list of fundraising-related to-do items and deadlines, and provide regular reminders to help ensure timely follow-through.

Program Coordination & Task Management:

• Project Evolution: As familiarity with the CDP workflow grows, take direct ownership of specific campaign-related tasks and small projects, moving from coordination to independent execution.
• Communications Support:
  • Draft clear, accurate talking points for briefings, ensuring alignment with campaign messaging and current priorities.
  • Create polished, professional PowerPoint presentations for internal and external briefings, incorporating stakeholder feedback.
  • Support the development of additional external materials as needed (e.g., one-pagers, fact sheets, briefing memos), ensuring consistency in tone and messaging across materials.
  • Proofread and quality-check materials prior to distribution to ensure accuracy and professionalism.
• Project Tracking: Monitor the progress of campaign-related tasks, ensuring deadlines are met and proactively following up with the Director as needed to confirm items are completed.
• Project Tasks and Team Liaison: As familiarity grows, act as a point of contact for consultants and Steering Committee to facilitate smooth task and project workflows and information sharing in a remote environment.
• Project Tasks & Accountability Support:
  • Maintain a running list of weekly tasks and commitments for the Director and team, and proactively follow up to confirm items are completed.
  • Provide regular reminders and check-ins with the Director and consultants/Steering Committee members on outstanding action items.

The successful candidate must demonstrate the following skills, experience, and competencies:

• Operational Experience: 3+ years of administrative or operational experience, with a proven ability to manage multiple workflows independently.
• Advocacy Fluency: 2+ years of experience in advocacy, electoral campaigns, or the non-profit sector.
• Communication Skills: Strong writing and formatting skills; comfortable drafting professional correspondence and creating clean, visually effective presentations.
• Remote Proficiency: Experience working within virtual teams; highly disciplined in using digital organizational tools (Google Workspace, Slack, PowerPoint, and Zoom).
• Adaptability: A "no task too small" mindset—essential for success in a small, mission-driven project.
• In-person work in Washington, DC is required, as needed.

Compensation and Benefits

This is a full-time, exempt position with a salary range of $75,000-$90,000.

Term: This is a one year position with a strong likelihood of extension, contingent upon project funding.

Work Environment: The CDP is a virtual organization, and this is a fully remote position. However, our focus is on federal policy and advocacy, so residency in or near Washington D.C., or the ability to get to D.C. as-needed, is advantageous for occasional in-person collaboration and alignment with the national political landscape.

The Partnership Project values our employees and provides all full-time employees with 100% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision premiums at platinum level coverage for full-time employees and their families. Partnership Project provides a 401k with an employer match and immediate vesting and ROTH retirement fund options. Additional benefits include FSA, dependent care savings accounts, commuter benefits, voluntary ancillary benefit options, 13 paid holidays, paid parental leave, unlimited PTO, paid parental leave, and more!

Partnership Project is proud to be an equal opportunity employer that prohibits discrimination in its governance, programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, reprisal, marital status, amnesty, status as a covered veteran, because all or part of an individual’s income is derived from public assistance or for any other non-merit based factor. Individuals of all backgrounds and identities are strongly encouraged to apply and will be welcomed into an inclusive environment at the Partnership Project.

Our goal is for a work experience that has meaning and impact on the world and on our professional lives, and a workplace where you can feel supported and proud. Read more about our values and commitment at www.partnershipproject.org

Disclaimer: The information presented indicates the general nature and level of work expected of employees in this classification. It is not designed to contain, nor to be interpreted as, a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and objectives required of employees assigned to this job. Additional duties may be assigned to employees from time to time. The scope of the job may change as business demands at the sole discretion of the employer at any time.

The Partnership Project Mission: The Partnership Project provides fiscal sponsorship, organizational support and infrastructure development to environmental campaigns and organizations- allowing them to focus entirely on the fight to save our environment.