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Center for Reproductive Rights · 1 day ago

Senior Director of Litigation

New York, NY

Full-time

Hybrid

Director/Executive

$245K/yr - $245K/yr

20+ years exp

The Center for Reproductive Rights is a global human rights organization focused on protecting reproductive rights. The Senior Director of Litigation will lead the U.S. Litigation team, setting the strategic vision for litigation efforts and ensuring alignment with institutional goals while overseeing case development and team coordination.

AssociationHealth CareNon Profit

No H1B

U.S. Citizen Only

Responsibilities

Serve as a key strategic advisor to the Chief Program Officer and an active member of the U.S. Division leadership team. Contribute to cross-divisional priority setting, high-level decision-making, and long-term planning

Lead the development of an ambitious, impactful, and cohesive state and federal litigation strategy to secure legal guarantees for reproductive rights, prevent regression, and advance the Center’s integrated U.S. Division strategy

Drive strategic thinking and innovation by setting long-term goals, fostering a culture of experimentation, and translating complex ideas into actionable litigation strategies responsive to changing legal and political conditions

Collaborate with fellow senior leaders across Corporate Engagement and Policy and Advocacy Units to ensure that each team’s work is strategically aligned and mutually reinforcing

Identify timely opportunities for coordinated action on high-impact issues and in key jurisdictions, bringing forward bold and creative ideas that maximize the Center’s overall impact

Represent the Litigation Unit in division-wide and organization-wide strategic planning forums, offering insights that reflect both deep subject matter expertise and a broad, cross-functional perspective

Ensure that litigation activities are aligned with the Division’s integrated strategy and reflect the Center’s long-term vision and values

Provide strategic input on case development, litigation priorities, and related non-litigation work, in coordination with senior leaders

Effectively execute annual and multi-year plans, while adapting to changing external conditions and emerging priorities

Oversee development and management of Unit budget

Track progress toward programmatic goals and ensure clear lines of accountability across the team. Identify gaps, risks, or areas where course correction is needed, and guide timely, strategic adjustments and prioritization

Lead and participate in coordinated rapid response efforts to legal and political developments by working with internal teams to take timely, strategic, and effective action in response to crises and opportunities

Stay abreast of U.S. legal developments and regularly brief the Chief Program Officer and CEO, and the Center leadership on jurisprudential developments, emerging risks, opportunities, and their implications for the Center’s strategy and operations

Proactively elevate issues through the appropriate channels from the Litigation Unit to the Chief Program Officer and CEO, ensuring they receive timely and regular updates to support effective decision-making

Lead and contribute to the preparation of high-quality materials and updates on litigation work for the Chief Program Officer, CEO, Board of Directors, and other senior stakeholders, including in advance of meetings and events

Recruit, develop, and performance manage a diverse, high-performing Unit Leadership Team

Ensure all lawyers in the Unit comply with applicable ethical and practice rules

Address personnel or operational challenges with transparency and care, supporting a problem-solving culture and timely resolution of issues

Inspire commitment and build high-performing teams by developing staff, mentoring future leaders, and fostering a results-oriented culture grounded in clear direction and accountability

Cultivate an inclusive Unit that values open communication, shared ownership of successes and setbacks, and a commitment to professional growth, equity, and well-being

Communicate with clarity and purpose, share decisions transparently, and build strong relationships internally and externally, including across lines of authority, through emotional intelligence, strategic foresight, and interpersonal savvy

Model the Center’s core values (global inclusivity, integrity, impact, and excellence) with self-awareness and a steady, non-reactive presence. Demonstrate humility, learn from experience, and lead with confidence and composure

Cultivate new relationships with law firms, legal departments, and other potential pro bono collaborators to expand the Center’s capacity, extend the reach of its legal strategies, and deepen impact across jurisdictions

Serve as the lead point of contact for high-value pro bono relationships, including managing firm assignments, resolving challenges, and coordinating with Development and Communications to highlight impact and strengthen donor engagement

Partner with the Center’s pro bono team to identify, scope, and integrate pro bono support across the Litigation Unit’s active and prospective cases, ensuring alignment with strategic priorities, effective delegation, and timely communication with external partners

Represent the Center and our litigation work in external coalitions, at public events, and in strategic partnerships, elevating the Center’s visibility and leadership in the field

Ensure key external relationships critical to the success of the U.S. integrated strategy are developed and well-managed to support strategic alignment, collaboration, and information sharing

Build and maintain relationships with local and diverse community-based partners, particularly those serving or led by historically marginalized groups

Ensure the Litigation Unit’s external messaging is aligned with the Center’s integrated strategy and organizational values

Serve as a spokesperson for the Center’s litigation work in media engagements, and, when appropriate, prepare other Center spokespeople for their own media appearances

Contribute to the development and review of external communications materials, including press releases, media advisories, public statements, and website content

Participate in donor-facing meetings

Ensure timely, strategic, and accurate reporting on the Litigation Unit’s work for funder proposals, grant reports, and donor briefing materials

Qualification

Litigation experienceLegal researchOral advocacyStrategic thinkingTeam leadershipCommunication skillsProblem-solvingCultural competencySelf-awarenessDetail-orientedFeedback skills

Required

20+ years of professional experience with at least 15 years in the active practice of law, and at least 10 years supervising a team of 15 or more

J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school and active New York Bar membership, or eligibility and willingness to obtain New York Bar membership promptly upon hire

This position is based in New York, N.Y.; candidates must be in or willing to relocate to New York, N.Y. within three months of employment

Ability to travel up to 35% of the time, including for court appearances, conferences, meetings with partners, donor engagements, and team retreats

Strong commitment to the Center's mission, purpose, and values

Extensive litigation experience, including constitutional, appellate, and civil trial advocacy in both state and federal courts; strong legal research, writing, and oral advocacy skills. Experience with U.S. Supreme Court practice and impact litigation strongly preferred

Demonstrated experience advancing social justice or human rights through litigation strategies in nonprofit, government, or pro bono settings, including in areas such as reproductive rights, racial justice, gender equality, LGBTQ rights, disability rights, democracy, economic justice, criminal justice, environmental justice, or health equity

Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving skills, with the ability to navigate complexity, generate creative solutions, and guide high-impact litigation decisions

Demonstrated experience leading legal teams in alignment with broader organizational strategies, preferably in mission-driven or advocacy contexts

Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to tailor messages for a range of audiences including donors, media, and external partners

Proven ability to build credibility and trust with colleagues at all levels, including senior leaders, direct reports, and external stakeholders

A proactive and bold leadership approach, comfortable raising questions, surfacing tensions, and pushing for clarity and alignment in pursuit of shared goals

High degree of self-awareness and resilience, with a track record of learning from setbacks and modeling steadiness in dynamic or high-pressure environments

Discretion and sound judgment, including a strong track record of handling confidential or sensitive information

Detail-oriented and highly organized, with the ability to manage competing priorities and operate with agility in fast-paced environments

Ability to give and receive feedback professionally, and to provide openness and honesty in communications

Ability to work in a multicultural, diverse, and highly performance-driven environment

Preferred

Criminal defense or prosecution experience is a plus

Benefits

The Center provides a comprehensive health insurance plan with no in-network deductible and best-in-class reproductive healthcare coverage, including infertility.

The Center also offers Dental and Vision coverage.

The Center offers resources to help prevent and recover from burnout through different programs that enable mental, physical, and community well-being.

The Center provides generous leave, including paid parental leave, personal days, vacation, and sick leave.

We are closed the last week of December to allow staff to spend winter holiday time with their loved ones.

After the first year of employment, the Center will contribute 7.5% of your annual salary to a 401(k) (applicable only in US and Kenya).