Senior Supervising Policy Counsel

Overview

The Senior Supervising Policy Counsel is responsible for developing and leading policy and advocacy efforts resulting in transformational changes across several substantive program areas. This position is part of the Advocacy Department and will work collaboratively with colleagues in Communications, Legal, and Philanthropy & Engagement Departments. The position will supervise, and support select staff, fellows, and interns engaged in policy, legislative, and administrative advocacy work.

The Senior Supervising Policy Counsel will be required to work proactively and responsively, often including evenings and weekends, particularly while the Illinois General Assembly is in Session. This includes most weeks from January through May, two weeks in the Fall Veto Session, and in January following election years for the Lame Duck Session.

Full-time, in-office, exempt, non-union position. Based at our Chicago, Illinois office.

• The Senior Supervising Policy Counsel will help to develop, lead, and implement the ACLU-IL’s legislative, policy, and advocacy priorities through the following job responsibilities:
• Identify opportunities to advance civil liberties and civil rights in complex policy areas using a variety of non-litigation methods at the state and local levels.
• Monitor, research, analyze, and advise on legal, legislative, political, technological, and other developments in assigned issue areas; identify other areas that warrant the organization’s attention.
• Provide tactical suggestions, policy, legislative, and legal analysis, and expertise to internal and external stakeholders.
• Independently analyze and draft bills, administrative rules/regulations, and comments at the state and local levels.
• Lobby elected officials, their staff, and other public officials to support ACLU of Illinois positions on pending legislation and policy initiatives.
• Prepare and provide expert-level guidance and testimony on pending legislation before state and local legislative committees, administrative agencies, and other regulatory bodies.
• Conduct in-depth civil liberties briefings for government officials to advance priority ACLU of Illinois positions.

• Work with the Advocacy Team and community stakeholders to ensure that the program approach is informed by the voices, perspectives, and experiences of people who are directly impacted by the issues we address.
• Work with other ACLU affiliates on advocacy efforts in furtherance of policy outcomes, as needed.
• Participate as an ACLU of Illinois representative in meetings, task forces, working groups, and coalitions.
• Provide expert commentary to media, participate in media briefings, and contribute to op-eds and other publications.
• Build and maintain trusted, respectful, and collaborative relationships with stakeholders, including but not limited to: people impacted by our work, community members and leaders, coalitions, allied organizations, issue experts, legislative staff, government officials, and elected officials.

The Senior Supervising Policy Counsel will provide effective senior-level guidance, supervision, and management to early and mid-career attorneys and Advocacy staff, including policy and advocacy strategists, policy counsel, fellows, and interns.

• Responsible for assigning, directing, and overseeing day-to-day work, transferring or modifying job assignments as needed.
• Evaluating work performance, overseeing, and directing professional development.
• Participate in decisions concerning hiring, promotion, discipline, and/or separation of employment.

• Law degree required; demonstrated expertise in constitutional law preferred.
• At least 15 years of legal experience, including a minimum of 12 years of experience working in legislative, policy, legal, or government settings.
• A minimum of 4 years of experience directly supervising and managing direct reports and others.
• Demonstrated ability to supervise staff to produce high quality results and help less experienced staff develop their skills.
• Extensive knowledge of current policy questions related to civil…