Director, Policy & Government Affairs Justice Division

ABOUT THE JOB

The ACLU seeks applicants for the full-time position of Director Policy & Government Affairs Justice Division in the National Political Advocacy Department of the ACLUs National office . This is a hybrid role that has in-office requirements of two (2) days per week or eight (8) days per month.

The National Political Advocacy Department builds power to achieve an accountable representative democracy. We have ambitious goals across Reproductive Freedom Democracy and Voting Rights Systemic Equality Immigration Trans Justice Criminal Justice and other core issues in order to protect and expand civil rights and civil liberties and advance the freedom equality ability to prosper and humanity of all People.

Our department conducts analysis develops policy crafts world class campaigns and situates the ACLU to have impact across legislative administrative and electoral levers. We are policy experts lawyers community organizers lobbyists campaign strategists electoral specialists program managers and more. We partner across the ACLU to drive national efforts and support and amplify the priorities of our affiliates. We work to center principles of equity diversity inclusion and belonging in our approach.

WHAT YOULL DO

The Director Policy & Government Affairs Justice Division will report to the National Director of Policy & Government Affairs.

YOUR DAY TO DAY

• Lead and manage a team charged with charting the course for the ACLUs federal policy agenda on criminal legal reform and other civil rights and civil liberties issues
• Lead the Division in the development of novel goals strategy and vision and the strategic plans necessary to advance key policy priorities and civil rights and civil liberties
• Identify areas of work that should be prioritized by the Division developing an annual slate of policy priorities that drive the core work within the Division
• Provide strategic advice and counsel to the National Director of Policy & Government Affairs as well as other department leadership in areas of substantive expertise and in efforts to lead the Divisions work on policy engagements lobbying strategy and shaping policy agendas
• Develop the strategy for and direct the policy and lobbying efforts in specific issue areas and civil liberties and civil rights at the federal level and support similar efforts at the state and local levels
• Identify funding opportunities and maintaining relationships with funders
• Manage Justice Division budget and grantmaking process.
• Participate in the leadership team of the Policy & Government Relations vertical to ensure effective relationship management coordination on Capitol Hill and on effective legislative strategies across policy divisions; coordinate regularly with other Directors of Policy & Government Affairs to ensure alignment
• Work in partnership with National and State Campaigns leadership to achieve legislative and administrative victories that advance civil liberties and civil rights in specific issue areas while building the ACLUs power
• Work collaboratively with Legal Department staff on policy advocacy directed towards Congress or the Executive Branch to align their efforts with federal policy counsel in the Division as well as collaborate with Legal Department staff in providing advice to affiliates on state and local policy
• Serve as a principal policy legal and / or subject matter expert and advocate; represent the Division and department in meetings of ad hoc lobbying and policy and / or political coalitions as well as interdepartmentally
• Direct the Divisions work on the development and execution of accurate and persuasive written explanations of the ACLUs position on proposed federal or state policy
• Manage and cultivate relationships with policymakers in Congress and the Executive branch; testify as an expert at legislative hearings and agency meetings; identify and prepare expert witnesses and testimony when necessary
• Lobby elected officials their staff and other public officials to support ACLU positions on pending legislation and policy initiatives
• Provide strategic guidance on lobbying efforts and testimony to be delivered by ACLU state affiliates before legislative or regulatory bodies at the state and local / municipal levels in collaboration with affiliate leadership
• In collaboration with ACLU Communications staff and other key stakeholders provide expert commentary to media participate in media briefings and draft and contribute to op-eds and other publications
• Serve as a spokesperson for the ACLU on substantive areas of expertise
• Engage in fundraising and donor cultivation
• Develop staff capacity to work together collaboratively and grow issue expertise and policy and lobbying skills; lead trainings and provide mentorship and guidance
• Lead efforts to recruit staff and further strengthen the division and department
• May provide subject matter expertise advice and support to fellow colleagues in other Divisions as they develop and execute state / local campaigns in new and unfamiliar issue areas
• Demonstrate an ability to be flexible and adjust priorities as necessary in order to adapt to changing external environment
• Engage in special projects and other duties as assigned

FUTURE ACLUERS WILL

WHAT YOULL BRING

The ACLU seeks a highly-skilled individual who brings a deep understanding of and passion for criminal legal reform policy and other civil rights and civil liberties issues. This person will have a deep subject matter expertise and extensive experience working on criminal legal reform at the state and local and / or federal level.

This leader will be experienced in leading legislative and administrative advocacy and will have a track record of driving successful policy outcomes. They will be familiar with building leading and working within coalitions. The successful candidate will naturally connect and build strong relationships with others demonstrating strong emotional intelligence and an ability to communicate clearly and persuasively. They will bring excellent research writing and analytical skills. The successful candidate will be comfortable representing ones organization and have public speaking experience.

This leader will be a strong manager with experience leading teams in collaborative environments. They will be effective working in a fast-paced environment can handle multiple tasks simultaneously are able to work efficiently and quickly and are reliable in their delivery against deadlines and are composed under pressure.

In terms of the performance and personal competencies required for the position we would highlight the following :

Setting Strategy & Executing for Results

Leading Teams

Relationships and Influence

COMPENSATION

The ACLU is committed to equity transparency and clarity in pay. Consistent with our compensation philosophy there is a set salary for each role based on geographic work location. The annual salary for this position is $220285. (Level - C2 ) reflecting the salary of a position based in New York NY. Salaries are subject to a regional pay adjustment if authorization is granted to work outside of the location listed in this posting.

For details on our pay structure please visit : THE ACLU

For over 100 years the ACLU has worked to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed by the Constitution and laws of the United States. Whether its ending mass incarceration achieving full equality for the LGBTQ community establishing new privacy protections for our digital age or preserving the right to vote or the right to have an abortion the ACLU takes up the toughest civil liberties cases and issues to defend all people.

We know that great people make a great organization. We value our people and know that what we offer is essential not just their work but to their overall well-being.

At the ACLU we offer a broad range of benefits which include :

OUR COMMITMENT TO ACCESSIBILITY EQUITY DIVERSITY & INCLUSION

Accessibility equity diversity and inclusion are core values of the ACLU and central to our work to advance liberty equality and justice for all. For us diversity equity accessibility and inclusion are not just check-the-box activities but a chance for us to make long-term meaningful change. We are a community committed to learning and growth humility and grace transparency and accountability. We believe in a collective responsibility to create a culture of belonging for all people within our organization one that respects and embraces difference; treats everyone equitably; and empowers our colleagues to do the best work possible. We are as committed to anti-oppression anti-ableism and anti-racism internally as we are externally. Because whether were in the courts or in the office we believe We the People means all of us.

With this commitment in mind we strongly encourage applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race color religion gender sexual orientation gender identity or expression age national origin marital status citizenship disability veteran status and record of arrest or conviction or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

The ACLU is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual with a disability and need assistance applying online please email . If you are selected for an interview you will receive additional information regarding how to request an accommodation for the interview process.

The Department of Education has determined that employment in this position at the ACLU does not qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Required Experience :

Director

Key Skills

Maitre,JAVA / J2EE,Invasive Cardiology,Fire Alarm Installation,Evening

Employment Type : Full Time

Experience : years

Vacancy : 1