About the Kapor Center
The Kapor Center works to dismantle racial and gender disparities and create a more equitable technology ecosystem. With Kapor Foundation, Kapor Capital, and SMASH, the Kapor Center is a recognized leader in the movement to enhance diversity and inclusion in technology and entrepreneurship ecosystem. Its work focuses on expanding access to tech and STEM education programs, conducting research on access and opportunity in computing, investing in community organizations and gap-closing tech startups, and increasing capital access for diverse entrepreneurs. Learn more at www.kaporcenter.org.
Position Overview
The Kapor Center is hiring a Legislative Tech Policy Manager to enact legislative policies and serve as an expert primarily on artificial intelligence, machine learning, algorithmic bias, data privacy, and on other key tech sector issues as needed.
They will ensure that the Kapor Center has a consistent public voice on relevant issues and is contributing to advancing equitable tech policy by adding to the public record and co-leading efforts with partners and officials who seek to enact impactful policies and would benefit from added subject matter expertise to do so confidently. We currently work at all levels of government including efforts with the White House, Congress, and state government leaders.
Principal Duties and Responsibilities
At the direction of the VP of Tech Policy and in alignment with the overall Kapor Center policy strategy:
- Lead efforts to enact equitable tech policy legislation primarily related to: artificial intelligence, machine learning, algorithmic bias, and data privacy, but which will also include other key tech sector issues as needed
- Consistently draft and submit written testimony, public comments, and letters of support or opposition, on policies of interest
- Testify at hearings
- Develop reports, briefs and summary materials and conduct education briefings with policymakers and their staff, as well as internal Kapor Center staff
- Research and analyze policy documents, and draft policy recommendations
- Facilitate conversations with key stakeholders to vet and refine recommendations
- Identify, build, and maintain external partnerships
- Provide expert input as the Kapor Center representative in important policy and partner-related meetings and convenings
- Review incoming coalition letters and other partnership opportunities for potential Kapor Center collaboration
- Monitor and report on relevant tech policy developments. Develop policy tracking approach to keep senior leadership updated regularly
- Be responsive to requests for support from policymakers and partners if they’re actively working on advancing policy
- Work with VP of Tech Policy to develop and execute strategies to get policies enacted
- Provide additional support to VP of Tech Policy and Kapor organizations as needed
Qualifications & Skills
- Experience working directly on trying to get legislation enacted is required
- Subject matter expertise in least one of the following policy areas: artificial intelligence, machine learning, algorithmic bias, or data privacy
- A deep and demonstrated commitment to advancing racial and social justice through policy change
- At least 7 years of relevant work experience with tech companies, non-governmental organizations, think-tanks, advocacy groups, and/or government
- Familiarity with tech policy issues
- Strong written communication skills. Expertise reading research and policy documents and analyzing complex information. Ability to hit the ground running and immediately begin drafting high-quality written testimony, public comments, and memos on relevant topics
- Strong verbal communication and persuasion skills and ability to share complex information, distill key facts, and leave individuals with a clear understanding of important issues and options to make improvements. Be able to credibly discuss nuances with top-experts, and alternatively, simplify topics succinctly for policymakers with minimal knowledge
- Comfort with meeting facilitation and public speaking
- Track record of building partnerships and successful collaboration with a range of internal and external constituencies
- Strong interpersonal skills with a demonstrated ability to work in a collegial and collaborative environment
- Self-motivated and entrepreneurial mindset. Strong internal motivation to quickly identify opportunities, outline a way forward, execute strategies, adapt to external factors, and keep senior leadership informed of successes and challenges
- Ability to respond quickly to new opportunities and to a changing external environment is critical
- Willingness to jump in and help colleagues across organizations execute on our shared mission, values, and goals
Minimum Qualifications:
● BA/BS + Advanced Degree (Masters, PhD, etc.)
● Ability to travel periodically - Short trips. Likely to Sacramento, CA and/or Washington, DC to meet with policy makers or participate in hearings/meetings.
Benefits
The Kapor Center provides competitive compensation commensurate with experience, and an excellent benefits package including medical, dental, vision, life/disability insurance, paid time off, 401k, volunteer time and flexible spending accounts (i.e. parking, transit, medical and dependent care).
STATEMENT OF NON-DISCRIMINATION
In keeping with our beliefs and goals, no employee or applicant will face discrimination/ harassment based on: race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, age, gender, marital/ domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status, or veteran status. Above and beyond discrimination/ harassment based on "protected categories," the Kapor Center also strives to prevent other, subtler forms of inappropriate behavior (e.g., stereotyping) from ever gaining a foothold in our office. Whether blatant or hidden, barriers to success have no place at the Kapor Center.