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Job Announcement: Senior Fellow and Project Lead for “Freedom to Prosper” Initiative

What is the Role?

FGA works with state leaders across the nation to advance positive health care and welfare reforms, and to stop policies that grow the welfare state at the expense of families and taxpayers. In just the past two years, 25 states have implemented FGA model reforms that will result in 3.4 million people escaping the welfare trap over the next three years.

FGA is seeking a dynamic leader to help execute a new policy project, called “Freedom to Prosper.” The project’s goal is to help governors and legislators across the country reform state and local licensing and business regulations to open up new opportunities for people escaping welfare poverty to find the best kind of assistance: a great job.

The successful candidate will join a world-class team of policy and communications experts who are focused on getting real-world results.

The Senior Fellow will be the key spokesperson for the Project and will work with a skilled team of communicators and researchers to carry out all aspects of the Project in coordination with FGA’s leadership team. Specific responsibilities include:

  • Forging and strengthening relationships with state legislators and governor policy staff who are seeking to remove roadblocks to entrepreneurs and entry-level jobs
  • Working with innovative partners in the private sector and the faith community to identify effective approaches to helping people get back to work
  • Planning and executing state-specific strategies to educate and equip state policymakers to implement policy changes in this arena. This will be done in close cooperation with FGA’s state government affairs team.
  • Partnering with FGA’s award-winning communications team to create persuasive, clear educational materials that tell the story of why these reforms are needed, and highlight the everyday Americans who will be helped by the reforms
  • Answering inquiries from the media and public about the project

The successful candidate will have a strong (at least 4 years of experience) track record of:

  • Succeeding in a fast-paced, changing, and demanding environment
  • Getting details right while still keeping a complex project moving
  • Working well with peers to achieve a goal
  • Being self-motivated, able to work independently and juggle competing priorities
  • Conducting original research and translating complex ideas into persuasive talking points
  • Communicating persuasive messages in one-on-one and group settings

Don’t think you are overqualified if you have far more experience than the minimum outlined above. You will be meeting directly with governors, their senior staff, legislative leadership and testifying in challenging environments. Compensation will reflect experience and capacity.


Why FGA?

Launched in June 2011, FGA is a dynamic and fast-growing free-market think tank headquartered in sunny Naples, Florida, and is known for its world-class team of policy experts, innovative marketing, rapid growth, and innovative policy solutions.

The organization’s founder and CEO is Tarren Bragdon, former head of the Maine Heritage Policy Center and a former member of the Maine legislature. Tarren is a renowned expert on health care policy, and under his leadership, the FGA team has led the fight against ObamaCare’s Medicaid expansion in the states. But his vision also extends to a transformation of our welfare system, with the goal of disrupting the cycle of dependency that takes away hope
from generations of Americans.

If you become a part of FGA, you will be joining a flexible, lean, fast-paced organization that expects much from you, but will ensure you are working in your areas of greatest strength, and have the freedom to iterate new approaches to achieving the organization’s goals. While many policy organizations focus on a myriad of issues, FGA’s narrow focus on a few issues and its absolute dedication to in-depth planning and message development will create incredible clarity for you. This laser focus and intense preparation greatly increases the organization’s ability to accomplish big goals. And the results are good. FGA has grown at a breakneck pace since its launch five years ago, and now is one of the largest free market state-focused think tanks.


Who should Apply?

The successful applicant for this position will be someone who is passionate about advancing free market ideas, has demonstrated successful communications strategy to advance good policies, and is adept at managing complex plans. They must also have a proven track record of success using social media and technology to achieve a desired goal.

If you’re interested in this role, ask yourself the following questions:

  • Do you have a strong belief that a free market economic system is the best possible way to relieve poverty and give people the opportunity for a better life?
  • Do you believe government has a minimal role to play in providing a welfare safety net for the poor?
  • Do you believe that government more often hurts or gets in the way of job creators and those wanting to work?
  • Do you think embracing the realities of politics is essential to advancing good public policy ideas?
  • Do you wish you could spend lots of time testing messages and perfecting them before delivering them?
  • Does it motivate you to be held to a very high standard of measureable, real-world results achieved?
  • Are you ok with making mistakes in order to learn?
  • Are you often the person in the room who asks the uncomfortable question that everyone is thinking?
  • Do you like having lots of freedom to decide where and how you work?
  • Do you tend to be the one who initiates conversations with colleagues, rather than waiting for them to come to you?

If you answered yes to all these questions and are looking for the opportunity make a lasting impact, then you should apply for this role.


Timing, Location & Compensation

FGA is seeking to fill this position no later than the end of October. Many of FGA’s staff work remotely, therefore the location for this position is flexible. FGA offers salary and benefits that are very competitive, including a health benefit and generous paid leave plan.


To Apply

Qualified candidates should submit the following:

  • Résumé
  • Cover letter detailing why you would be a good fit for the FGA culture, why you want to work with us, and what kind of value you would bring to the FGA team. Please also include your salary requirements and your availability for travel.

Please send these materials to Erik Makrush, FGA’s Operations Director, at jobs@fga.ph.stgnew.com.

While we thank all applicants in advance for their interest in this position, we are only able to contact those to whom we can offer an interview. No phone calls, please, until after you spend the time submitting a resume and cover letter.

Download this Job Description.

At FGA, we don’t just talk about changing policy—we make it happen.

By partnering with FGA through a gift, you can create more policy change that returns America to a country where entrepreneurship thrives, personal responsibility is rewarded, and paychecks replace welfare checks.