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ACLU · 1 month ago

Director, Policy & Government Affairs - Justice Division

Washington, District of Columbia, United States

Full-time

Onsite

Director/Executive

$220K/yr - $220K/yr

The ACLU is seeking a Director for Policy & Government Affairs in their Justice Division to lead efforts in advancing civil rights and liberties. This role involves managing a team, developing strategic policy priorities, and engaging with lawmakers to drive legislative change.

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Comp. & Benefits

Responsibilities

Lead and manage a team charged with charting the course for the ACLU’s 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 Division’s 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 ACLU’s 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 Division‘s work on the development and execution of accurate and persuasive written explanations of the ACLU’s 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

Qualification

Criminal legal reform policyLegislative advocacyCoalition buildingPublic speakingPolicy analysisBudget managementFundraisingDiversityInclusionEmotional intelligenceTeam leadershipConflict management

Required

Deep understanding of and passion for criminal legal reform policy, and other civil rights and civil liberties issues

Deep subject matter expertise and extensive experience working on criminal legal reform at the state and local and/or federal level

Experience in leading legislative and administrative advocacy with a track record of driving successful policy outcomes

Familiarity with building, leading, and working within coalitions

Strong emotional intelligence and ability to communicate clearly and persuasively

Excellent research, writing, and analytical skills

Public speaking experience

Strong management skills with experience leading teams in collaborative environments

Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment, handle multiple tasks simultaneously, and meet deadlines

Proven ability to identify and set policy priorities

Decisive in strategic planning while maintaining flexibility

Vision and skills to create and articulate an inspiring vision for the Division

Ability to set clear and challenging goals while committing the organization to improved performance

Comfortable with ambiguity and uncertainty; capacity to adapt nimbly and lead others through complex situations

High degree of integrity and forethought in decision-making; acts transparently and consistently

Ability to motivate the team, attract and recruit top talent, delegate effectively, and manage performance

Outstanding relationship builder who uses influence effectively in various settings

Ability to work in a matrixed and federated environment; strong conflict management skills

Skilled at advocacy, influence, and persuasion

Preferred

Experience in fundraising and donor cultivation

Experience in developing staff capacity and leading trainings

Experience in engaging in special projects and other duties as assigned

Benefits

Time away to focus on the things that matter with a generous paid time-off policy

Focus on your well-being with comprehensive healthcare benefits (including medical, dental and vision coverage, parental leave, gender affirming care & fertility treatment)

Plan for your retirement with 401k plan and employer match

We support employee growth and development through annual professional development funds, internal professional development programs and workshops