Legal Counsel and Director of Workers for Opportunity
The Mackinac Center for Public Policy, a Michigan-based public policy research and educational institute, is seeking a talented attorney to promote market-based labor policies that protect worker rights and expand employment opportunities. The Mackinac Center is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization with 35 full-time employees, a fifty-member Board of Scholars, and an annual operating budget of $6 million.
Mackinac Center scholars have contributed to recent labor reforms in Michigan and numerous other states, including Kentucky, Missouri, West Virginia and Wisconsin. This full-time position involves researching, developing and promoting labor reforms through studies, reports, commentaries, public speaking and media relations. Current major thrusts include projects on public sector unions, collective bargaining and right-to-work laws.
Our aim is to advance an American workplace based on voluntary and mutually beneficial interaction between workers and job creators. This workplace will be marked by government neutrality, a spirit of free enterprise and freedom of choice. We seek to accomplish this objective by providing training and research to coalition partners, educating the public about beneficial reforms and fostering free-market labor policy solutions at the state and federal level.
In addition to directing the Mackinac Center’s Labor Policy Initiative, this individual will serve as the director of Workers for Opportunity, a new Mackinac Center project promoting worker freedom nationally. This individual will build out the program and will serve as a policy advisor for My Pay My Say, a national awareness and educational effort reaching government workers.
The successful candidate will possess the following qualifications:
- Commitment to free-market solutions to public policy issues
- Firm desire to advance policies in Michigan consistent with respect for the freedom of association and sound economics
- An entrepreneurial mindset
- Strong leadership and organizational skills
- Excellent research, analysis, writing and speaking skills
- Experience in related field of research or policy development; legislative experience is helpful but not required
- Legal background or training, including litigation and brief writing experience preferred
Responsibilities include:
- Develop and execute the strategic plan of the Labor Policy Initiative, including the research agenda, projects and publications
- Research and write studies, reports, commentaries, op-eds, and other publications
- Provide information to policymakers
- Collaborate with the Center’s communications team to combine sound research and effective framing of the issues
- Work with the fundraising team to identify, secure and maintain financial support
- Coordinate efforts to advance labor reform nationally
- Author amicus curiae briefs in relevant cases
- Contribute to the Mackinac Center Legal Foundation litigation strategy (this role will not directly litigate)
The position is based in Midland, Michigan, and requires some travel. The position reports to the executive vice president. The Mackinac Center provides a competitive salary and excellent benefits.
To Apply
Qualified candidates should submit the following in one PDF file:
- Resume
- Cover letter explaining your interest in the position and salary requirements
- A sample of research or persuasive writing
PDF applications should be submitted to Talent Market via this link:
http://talentmarket.org/apply-for-your-dream-job/.
Questions about the opening can be directed to Claire Kittle Dixon, Executive Director of Talent Market, who is assisting with the search: claire@talentmarket.org.
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.
Talent Market is a nonprofit entity dedicated to promoting liberty by helping free-market nonprofits identify talent for critical roles. We provide free consulting and recruiting services to free-market think tanks, policy organizations, research centers, and capacity-building institutions dedicated to advancing the principles of limited government and free enterprise.
