Jobs & Internships
About ThinkTennessee
Based in Nashville, ThinkTennessee is a nonpartisan, results-oriented think tank that uses research and advocacy to help build a state where all Tennesseans are civically engaged and economically secure.
We believe our state does best when voters have a say in the decisions that impact their lives and workers earn enough to support their families. That’s why we focus our work on researching and advocating for policies that empower voters, support working families, and build a shared understanding of how our state stacks up nationally.
ThinkTennessee’s office is in downtown Nashville. We provide a flexible, hybrid work environment, with at least two days of in-person work per week.
External Relations Associate
The External Relations Associate will help broaden ThinkTennessee’s impact by providing communications, graphic design, development, and event-planning support to our dynamic team. The External Relations Associate will report to the External Relations Director to advance our communications efforts and grow our relationships with external stakeholders. As part of a small and growing team, this position will also support other organizational needs depending on workload and priority deliverables.
Key Responsibilities
- Draft and publish content for ThinkTennessee’s social media platforms, newsletters, and website.
- Assist in the graphic design of print and digital collateral.
- Monitor media coverage of ThinkTennessee and its priority issues.
- Support fundraising efforts through funder research, digital campaigns, and management of database/CRM.
- Manage and oversee ThinkTennessee’s internship program.
- Perform office administration tasks as needed, e.g., scheduling and logistics for team meetings, events, and board meetings and/or other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
Education and Experience
- Bachelor’s degree is required.
- 2+ years relevant work experience.
- Experience working with social media and scheduling platforms, e.g., Hootsuite, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn, preferred.
- Proficiency in Canva or other graphic design software preferred.
Skills
- Extremely strong writing, editing, and proofreading skills.
- Ability to ideate and bring graphic design concepts to life.
- Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work well as part of a team and across organizations.
Characteristics
- Passion for and demonstrated commitment to ThinkTennessee’s mission.
- Self-motivated with a strong work ethic.
- Rigorous attention to detail and the highest standards for excellence in execution.
- Ability to manage work streams on various project teams and balance multiple priorities.
- Ability to flourish in a start-up environment and adapt to changing priorities and duties within the organization’s overall mission.
Compensation
Competitive salary ($45,000-$55,000) commensurate with experience. We offer comprehensive benefits, including medical/dental/vision insurance, retirement, paid family leave, transportation benefits, and generous paid time off, including sick leave, vacation days, and paid holidays.
Commitment to a diverse workplace
ThinkTennessee is an equal-opportunity employer. As an organization focused on moving Tennessee forward, we understand that diverse teams are stronger, more innovative, and more productive. Interested candidates who do not meet all listed criteria should still apply, as our organizational structure focuses on providing opportunities for professional growth.
How to apply
Applicants should send a resume and a cover letter to info@thinktn.org by June 5.
Policy Associate
The Policy Associate will help broaden ThinkTennessee’s impact by providing research and policy analysis to support our dynamic team and will work across the organization’s policy priorities. The position will report to the Advocacy and Government Relations Director and will primarily focus on the Strengthening Democracy portfolio which includes Tennessee voting policies and practices, transparent and accountable state and local governments, and protecting judicial independence. As part of a small and growing team, this position will also support the organization’s other policy areas – including fines and fees and court debt – and organizational needs depending on workload and priority deliverables.
Key Job Responsibilities
- Manage a variety of policy research and data analysis projects for the organization, including tracking major developments in relevant policy areas, conducting appropriate analyses, and developing creative and workable policy solutions.
- Produce high-quality written deliverables, including multiple reports every year – or the equivalent volume of work – through policy briefs, factsheets, and other communications.
- Support our legislative advocacy through bill tracking, policy research and development, and meetings with elected officials, partners, and stakeholders.
- Conduct qualitative research, including analyses of statutory, regulatory, and other policy documents.
- Present ThinkTennessee’s work through presentations and meetings with policymakers, coalitions, and other thought leaders.
- Support organizational operations by assisting in office administration, e.g., scheduling and logistics for team meetings, events, and board meetings and/or other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
Education and Experience
- Bachelor’s degree is required.
- 2+ years relevant work experience, or equivalent.
- Interest and experience in public policy, political science, and/or state or local government is required. Interest and experience in civic engagement, voting rights, or related issue expertise is preferred.
Skills
- Extremely strong writing, editing, and proofreading skills.
- Demonstrated ability to synthesize complex ideas and findings through oral and written communication.
- Ability to prioritize, multitask, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
- Experience analyzing federal and state government data.
- Experience conducting rigorous statistical analysis in Stata, SAS, R, or similar programs is preferred.
- Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work well as part of a team and across organizations.
Characteristics
- Passion for and demonstrated commitment to ThinkTennessee’s mission.
- Self-motivated with a strong work ethic.
- Rigorous attention to detail and the highest standards for excellence in execution.
- Ability to flourish in a small team environment and adapt to changing priorities and duties within the organization’s overall mission.
- Demonstrated record of community service and/or engagement in community issues or related work is preferred.
Compensation
Competitive salary ($45,000-$55,000) commensurate with experience. We offer comprehensive benefits, including medical/dental/vision insurance, retirement, paid family leave, transportation benefits, and generous paid time off, including sick leave, vacation days, and paid holidays.
Commitment to a diverse workplace
ThinkTennessee is an equal-opportunity employer. As an organization focused on moving Tennessee forward, we understand that diverse teams are stronger, more innovative, and more productive. Interested candidates who do not meet all listed criteria should still apply, as our organizational structure focuses on providing opportunities for professional growth.
How to apply
Applicants should send a resume and a cover letter to info@thinktn.org by June 5.
Internship Program
ThinkTennessee interns will have a unique opportunity to collaborate with our staff and board of directors, as well as other prominent thought leaders, to produce meaningful work.
Applicants should have excellent research and writing skills, a demonstrated interest in public policy, nonprofit management, communications and/or fundraising, and a willingness to work independently on a variety of tasks. Please note your primary area(s) of interest when applying.
Interns will receive a stipend for their work at a rate of $15 per hour. ThinkTennessee will also support interns’ efforts to obtain academic credit or outside funding.
Position open to: Undergraduate students
Length and location: Interns will work from ThinkTennessee’s main office in downtown Nashville (or remotely, as necessary). Summer interns typically work full-time; split summers are acceptable. During the school year, interns may choose either a part-time or a full-time schedule (a six-hour minimum per week is required).
How to apply
Fall 2023: July 14, 2023
Spring 2024: November 10, 2023
Summer 2024: February 16, 2024
Applicants are encouraged to apply early. If your school requires you to submit your clerkship or assistantship information by a certain date for funding purposes, please specify this in your application.
To apply for this job email your cover letter and resume to info@thinktn.org
Research Assistant Program
ThinkTennessee research assistants will have a unique opportunity to collaborate with our staff and board of directors, as well as other prominent thought leaders, to produce meaningful policy work.
Applicants should have excellent research and writing skills, a demonstrated interest in public policy and/or nonprofit management, and a willingness to work independently on a variety of tasks.
Research Assistants will receive a stipend for their work at a rate of $20 per hour. ThinkTennessee will also support research assistants’ efforts to obtain academic credit or outside funding.
Position open to: Law students and graduate students in public policy or political science
Length and location: Research assistants will work from ThinkTennessee’s main office in downtown Nashville (or remotely, as necessary). Summer research assistants typically work full-time; split summers are acceptable. During the school year, research assistants may choose either a part-time or a full-time schedule (a six-hour minimum per week is required).
Application Deadline:
Fall 2023: July 14, 2023
Spring 2024: November 10, 2023
Summer 2024: February 16, 2024
Applicants are encouraged to apply early. If your school requires you to submit your assistantship information by a certain date for funding purposes, please specify this in your application.
To apply for this job email your cover letter and resume to info@thinktn.org
