Innovation Fellow, Brennan Center Ventures

Brennan Center for Justice • New York, NY

1d • $52 - $60 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law is a nonpartisan law and policy institute that seeks to improve the systems of democracy and justice in the United States. Part think tank, part advocacy group, part cutting-edge communications hub, we start with rigorous research. We craft innovative policies. And we fight for them—in the courts, in Congress and the states, and the court of public opinion. Brennan Center Ventures is the organization’s new solutions accelerator to reimagine American democracy.

Position Overview
The Brennan Center for Justice seeks a highly motivated, collaborative, results-oriented Innovation Fellow to support development of priorities, relationships, and deliverables for Brennan Center Ventures. This position reports to the Chief Innovation Officer and resides in the Office of the President, working within cross-functional project teams and with the opportunity for regular interaction with policy and research experts, communications strategists, development professionals, and other key functions across the organization. The fellowship is full-time and limited to a six-month term with the possibility of renewal.

Note: This position is based at our headquarters in New York City. This role will be in office 4 days per week with flexibility for the exceptionally qualified candidate who resides outside of a commutable distance.

Requirements

• MBA, MPA, or equivalent experience of at least three years, with focus on strategy and innovation in the areas of social impact, civic engagement, responsive democracy, or similar.
• A highly curious yet organized mind--creative yet methodical in exploring, documenting, and testing new ideas with efficiency.
• Exceptional problem-solving skills, with a proactive, solutions-oriented approach to anticipating needs, challenges, and opportunities to advance institutional interests and find efficiencies.
• Passion for strengthening and reimagining our democracy.
• Strong working knowledge of at least some of the following areas: the challenge and potential of emerging tech for civic life (e.g., generative AI, social media, engagement with government), community engagement, government innovation, behavioral economics, political science.
• Exceptional discretion and sound judgment about public conduct based on experience working in a high-profile or high-stakes environment.
• Strong ability to quickly and accurately synthesize complex information relevant to the Brennan Center’s work.
• Exceptional growth mindset and dedication to delivering high-quality work, with strong ability to receive and effectively apply constructive feedback.
• Reliable, efficient, and organized, with strong time-management and project-management skills and the ability to thrive and produce in a fast-paced, sometimes unpredictable environment with competing deadlines.
• Generous team player—proactively seeking to help, optimistic in ambiguity, by default respectful of all colleagues and stakeholders no matter their position.
• Proficiency with workplace technology including Microsoft Word, Excel, PPT, Zoom, and similar platforms.

Responsibilities

• Identify and operationalize new and distinguishing opportunities for Brennan Center Ventures to produce solutions for strengthening and renewing aspects of American democracy.
• Analyze and convert individual and team exploration quickly, clearly, and accurately into actionable memos, PowerPoints, and presentations for a wide array of internal and external audiences.
• Cultivate and maintain external relationships, with approval, to expand learning and impact.
• Proactively contribute to efficient and effective project management and knowledge-sharing within project teams, cooperating with and helping to refine systems for meetings, documentation, task ownership, and production schedules.
• Uphold the Brennan Center’s mission and values and maintain the Center’s reputation for rigor, accuracy, nonpartisanship and related policies.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time