Talent Acquisition Specialist

Protect Democracy is hiring a Talent Acquisition Specialist to help cultivate, recruit, and hire exceptional, diverse talent to drive our mission forward. Preference for Philly . *Apply by 6/17.

Protect Democracy is seeking a Talent Acquisition Specialist to join our small, collaborative People and Culture Team, focusing on finding and supporting exceptional people needed to meet the urgency and the importance of the pro-democracy movement. The ideal candidate for this role is passionate about our mission, oriented towards solutions, and adaptable amidst uncertainty.

Protect Democracy was formed in late 2016 with an urgent and explicit mission: to prevent our democracy from declining into a more authoritarian form of government. Our mission is non-partisan and it is our north star. Since 2016, we have assembled a team of 130+ experts who have served under Democrats and Republicans, and in the senior ranks of other nonprofit, political, or media organizations. Our hiring practices don’t just value expertise — we are uncompromising about building a culture rooted in growth, feedback, and team care and kindness.

In this role, you will primarily support our Talent Acquisition Manager in cultivating, recruiting, and hiring of stellar, diverse talent to drive our mission forward. Much of your day-to-day work will be conducting interviews and reference checks, screening resumes, managing candidate experience, and administering hiring searches. You will also collaborate with members of our People and Culture team to iterate on our hiring process and recruitment strategy, helping to define and document sustainable, equitable hiring practices.

In the longer term, especially during periods of minimal hiring, you may support other programs and projects that are vital to our organizational health, including community-building events, trainings, and other culture-focused initiatives.

The priority application deadline for the Talent Specialist role is June 17, 2026; we will review applications received after that date on a rolling basis. This is a remote position based in the United States, but we have a preference for candidates in the Philadelphia area.

At Protect Democracy, we believe that diversity isn’t just a strength—it’s a necessity for tackling the complex challenges facing our country today. A broad range of backgrounds, perspectives, and lived experiences strengthen our ability to analyze problems, craft solutions, and drive meaningful change. We strongly encourage candidates from diverse backgrounds and from across the political and ideological spectrum to apply.

Talent Acquisition Specialist will:

• Coordinate hiring teams in executing searches excellently from requisition to hire, including supporting the development of materials, such as recruitment plans, interview guidelines, and resources for hiring managers, posting jobs and coordinating outreach to potential candidates, identifying obstacles and proposing solutions, screening candidate applications for fit across roles, conducting interviews and reference calls, and serving as the primary candidate point-of-contact.
• Administer our applicant tracking system, including building out hiring analytics.
• Propose and implement programs to source and recruit diverse, qualified applicant pools.
• Work in coordination with our high-touch onboarding program to seamlessly integrate new hires into our organizational culture.
• Contribute to other workstreams that strengthen how we develop, engage, and support talent.
• Actively participate in brainstorming related to our impact and internal projects and other team activities, including identifying opportunities to enhance employee experience and foster connection, collaboration, and community across Protect Democracy.

Job requirements

• At least three years of full-time work experience in a recruiting, hiring, talent acquisition, or talent coordination role.
• Experience independently and proactively conceptualizing, developing, and implementing new initiatives.
• Experience managing multiple complex projects and/or workstreams simultaneously.
• Enthusiasm for providing an excellent candidate experience and supporting a large number of candidates simultaneously.
• Passion for fostering strong, collaborative relationships with people with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives.
• Rigorous attention to detail and the highest standards for excellence in execution.
• Growth mindset and strong, unfettered enthusiasm for giving and receiving feedback up, down and sideways — including delivering feedback to candidates.
• Flexibility and willingness to pitch in where needed to support our mission, including on efforts outside of core job responsibilities related to hiring.
• A passionate commitment to the preservation of democratic norms and institutions, and an understanding that our democracy has never fully represented communities of color.

Compensation

The starting salary range for this role is $72,400-$81,000, commensurate with the candidate’s degree of experience, capabilities and skills, and in alignment with internal equity.

About Protect Democracy

We are a remote‑first organization based exclusively in the United States, meaning our staff work within the US and primarily virtually. We also offer shared workspaces for those who enjoy working in an office environment. We are established for remote work in many states across the country, and while candidates based anywhere in the United States are welcome to apply, we may not be able to offer employment in your current location. All staff are also required to travel at least two times per year to team retreats, and this role may involve periodic travel. (Accommodations to this requirement will be made only in exceptional circumstances.)

Commitment to an inclusive workplace

Protect Democracy is an equal opportunity employer. We believe that a broad range of backgrounds, perspectives, and lived experiences strengthens our ability to analyze problems, craft solutions, and drive meaningful change. Protect Democracy encourages applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, or veteran status.

Phenomenal benefits

Our benefits package includes generous sick leave and a flexible vacation policy where we encourage team members to take 4‑5 weeks every year, along with 12 paid holidays, 6 weeks of paid family medical leave, and 18 weeks of paid parental leave. We also offer a 401(k) plan with up to 6% employer match that vests immediately. Additionally, we cover employee medical premiums at 100% (with up to 95% coverage for dependents depending on plan selection), and employee and dependent’s dental/vision at 100%. All employees have access to long‑term disability and life insurance, fertility benefits, a home office stipend, and bonuses at the discretion of the Executive Director.

Ample opportunities for personal & professional development

Candidates who do not meet all listed criteria should still apply, as our organizational structure focuses on mentorship, support, and long‑term growth.