Protect Dissent Network Manager (Part-Time)

About Proteus Fund

Proteus Fund connects philanthropy to the frontlines of social justice to advance, racial, gender, queer, and disability justice, and an inclusive, fully representative democracy. Our work lifts up opportunities, gaps, and challenges facing movement organizations, especially at the state and local level, and then mobilizes donor support as well as a range of other non-grant tools to support these efforts. Our donor collaboratives are best-in-class models for bridging responsive philanthropy with cutting-edge social justice movements to create deep and long-lasting impact. Through fiscal sponsorship, Proteus Fund partners with emerging initiatives and innovative movement leaders — enabling them to focus on growing their substantive work and impact with the support of a trusted operational partner.

To date, Proteus Fund, and its affiliated 501c4 organization, the Proteus Action League, have distributed over $300 million in grants and provided other essential tools to support activists, advocates, networks, coalitions, and issue-specific campaigns at the local, state, and national level. Proteus Fund has offices in New York City and metro Boston. Our staff is based across the entire United States.

Job Summary

The Protect Dissent Network (PDN) Manager supports the network of local, state, and national organizations working to protect the right to protest and dissent as core to an inclusive democracy. The Protect Dissent Network is a robust, active, and engaged, internal-facing network, and is a critical part of Piper Fund’s Right to Protest field-building program. In partnership and consultation with network members, the PDN Manager will bring PDN into its next phase. They will lead regular calls with the network, manage relationships and growth, produce the daily “Protest in the News” round-up, and ensure the PDN has the resources and opportunities to connect meaningfully and share strategies with each other. Additionally, they lead the planning and implementation of an annual convening of PDN partners.

Piper Fund is a donor collaborative and an initiative of Proteus Fund. Through grantmaking, field building, and funder engagement, Piper Fund supports groups working to address the corrosive influence of money and special interests on our democracy, advance judicial integrity of state courts, and protect the right to protest and dissent.

Essential Functions

Responsibilities of this position include, but may not be limited to:

Regular Calls and Learning Opportunities

• Plan and facilitate bi-monthly calls with PDN members, including designing special content calls with speakers, panels, and learning sessions.
• Stay abreast of trends in protest and dissent to identify priority topics and opportunities for deeper learning or special webinars, convenings, etc.
• Listen for themes, field needs, gaps, and opportunities for collaboration, alignment, and shared strategy
• Partner with the Program Officer to prioritize network needs and opportunities, and to develop and implement strategies to meet needs and opportunities.
• Center BIPOC and state-based voices and expertise
• Center learning, aligned strategies, relationship building, and asset mapping among and across participants
• Provide safety, security, and resilient organizations resources to support the best practices of the PDN and the broader field
• Build and support light governance structures of PDN, if desired by the network

Relationship Management and Outreach

• Steward relationships within the network, and create opportunities for network members to foster and deepen relationships with one another and their leadership within the network
• Manage targeted growth of PDN membership with a focus on states, communities, and issue-areas not yet well represented
• Manage and vet requests to join network
• Maintain a regularly updated membership list
• Create and lead onboarding process to those joining PDN 

Protest in the News

• Curation of Protest in the News, a daily summary of current news related to protest and dissent that is shared through the PDN listserv

Convenings

• Project management of annual convening, including managing external consultants related to logistics, vendors, speakers, etc.
• Develop agenda in collaboration with Piper Fund team and steering committee of PDN members
• Develop materials for the convening
• Lead facilitation of the convening 
• Support the dissemination of follow-up resources, including notes, after the convening

Connector and Liaison

• Facilitate opportunities for PDN members to connect with one another, other partners, and potential funders
• Seek opportunities for collaboration within and beyond the network
• Serve as liaison with other aligned formations, such as Protect the Protest

Competencies

Philosophical Alignment: Demonstrates strong commitment to the mission and values of Proteus Fund as a progressive, social justice organization, including a deep investment in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB).

Written and Oral Communication Skills: Communicates clearly and professionally across formats. Produces accurate, well-organized written work and adapts messaging based on audience and purpose.

Personal Operations and Task Execution: Demonstrates strong organizational and time management skills. Follows through on tasks reliably, balancing multiple priorities in support of program operations.

Data Integrity, Accuracy, and Attention to Detail: Maintains high standards for quality and precision in documentation, logistics, and data entry. Approaches work with care and thoroughness.

Technical Capacity: Uses digital tools and platforms (e.g., document management, databases, virtual meeting tech) efficiently to support workflows. Willingness to learn new systems as needed.

Research and Information Gathering: Conducts timely, well-organized research to inform program strategy, communications, and field engagement. Synthesizes findings clearly and accurately.

Collaborative and Inclusive Team Engagement: Contributes to a respectful, equity-centered team culture. Engages across lines of difference with humility, empathy, and curiosity.

Education and Experience

While no one person will embody all the qualifications listed below, the ideal incumbent will possess many of the following:

• At least 5 years of experience working in social justice organizations, including connected to community organizing and advocacy.
• Experience with policy analysis and legislative processes, and familiarity with legal processes.
• Experience managing projects and working independently.
• We also value candidates who can demonstrate capability and articulate how prior work or academic experience will help them contribute to the role.

Position Type & Schedule/Hours:

This is a part-time position requiring a minimum of 20 hours per week. Business hours are Monday through Friday between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm in the time zone where the candidate is located. Additional hours are occasionally required.

This position works indoors and routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers and phones. Most of the work will be performed remotely, which requires a dedicated workspace.

T his position is largely sedentary, with prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer; however, some movement may be required depending on the specific job duties. This position requires the ability to: operate a computer daily, as well as other home- or in-office devices such as a copier or printer as needed; communicate effectively with coworkers and external parties, including - for example - via email, phone, and/or video conferencing; and, occasionally, lift up to 25 lbs. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Travel

This position requires occasional travel in the range of 5 to 10% of time for the purpose of PDN convenings, donor meetings, and staff retreats.

Compensation

The salary for this role is $42,059-50,892 and is based on a variety of factors including, but not limited to, geographic location, skill set level, years of previous/applicable experience, and Proteus Fund's commitment to ensuring pay equity within the organization. The recruiting team will share more details regarding salary bands based on the candidate's specific geographic location as well as the other factors noted above. Salary is one part of the total compensation that Proteus Fund provides to employees.

Benefits

Proteus Fund is committed to ensuring that its employees are supported holistically, from compensation, benefits and resources to an enriching work environment and collaborative culture. Proteus Fund leads the market in a number of its offerings, including a sector-leading retirement plan contribution and robust benefits package. The recruiting team will share more information regarding this commitment and offerings. Medical and dental benefits for employee and eligible dependents available on first day of work.

• Retirement savings account (401k) with an organization contribution of 10% of annual salary
• Three weeks’ paid vacation in first year of work (prorated)
• 7.5 sick days per year
• 1.5 personal days per year
• Fifteen paid holidays ( prorated)
• Professional development initiatives for growth
• Life Insurance
• Paid Family Leave, short-term, and long-term disability

Health Protocols

Please note, in an effort to maintain and safeguard everyone's health, well-being, and safety, Proteus Fund expects all attendees to follow the necessary health and safety protocols related to flu, COVID-19, and other communicable diseases. This includes adhering to any government or organizational guidelines and staying home when experiencing symptoms.