Special Assistant to Deputy Legal Director​/Director Trone Center Justice and Equality

Position: Special Assistant to the Deputy Legal Director/Director of the Trone Center for Justice and Equality
ABOUT THE JOB

The ACLU seeks applicants for the full-time position of Special Assistant to the Deputy Legal Director/Director of the Trone Center in the Legal Department of the ACLU's National office in New York, NY. This is a hybrid role that has in-office requirements of two (2) days per week or eight (8) days per month.

The priority Final date to receive applications is March 4, 2026 though applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Early submissions are encouraged.

The ACLU's Trone Center for Justice and Equality focuses on America's issues around crime, punishment, and racial justice. The Center for Liberty encompasses the ACLU's work on reproductive freedom, LGBTQ rights & HIV, women's rights, freedom of religion and belief, and disability rights. The Center for Democracy encompasses the ACLU's work on voting rights, immigrants' rights, national security, human rights, and speech, privacy, and technology.

This position is part of a collective bargaining unit. It is represented by ACLU Staff United (ASU).
WHAT YOU'LL DO

Reporting to the Deputy Legal Director/Director of the Trone Center, the Special Assistant will be responsible for managing a wide range of administrative, research and operational duties for the Centers, their Projects, and the Department, working closely with relevant parties, including Center Directors, Project Directors, and the Associate Director of Legal Operations.
YOUR DAY TO DAY

CENTER RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide broad logistical support and assist in managing the day-to-day operations for the Trone Center, including direct support for the Trone Center Director
• Support the Centers for Liberty and Democracy and their respective Directors, as needed
• Support the Center Directors' cross-functional work by coordinating within the legal department as well as with other organizational departments
• Maintain an organized system of tracking, monitoring, and prioritizing tasks and projects related to the Center Directors' portfolio to ensure smooth operations
• Provide litigation/paralegal support to the Center Directors and Projects as needed
• Make travel arrangements, process invoices, and complete expense reports with accuracy and timeliness
• Conduct in-depth legal and policy research on ACLU issues
• Draft memos, presentations, talking points, and other various reports for the Center Director
• Assist with information synthesizing for projects managed by the Center Directors, communicating with different parties internally and externally, ensuring timely execution of deliverables, and keeping the Center Director appraised
• Draft Center communications, including digital communications
• Schedule, plan and help facilitate on-site as well as off-site meetings, conferences, internal and external facing events, and presentations, which may include coordinating arrangements for participants, handling logistics, preparing and disseminating materials, managing budgets and project plans
• Other duties as assigned

DEPARTMENTAL OPERATIONS RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide strategic and logistical support for department-wide trainings and all-staff meetings
• Manage departmental onboarding for new hires and offboarding for departing employees
• Ensure departmental legal compliance through various projects assigned by the Associate Director of Legal Operations
• Support implementation of new software and systems throughout the department, and other initiatives as needed
• Provide support for the strategic planning and budget processes
• Engage in special projects and other duties as assigned

FUTURE ACLU'ERS WILL

• Be committed to advancing the mission of the ACLU
• Center and embed the principles of equity, inclusion and belonging in their work by demonstrating commitment to diversity with an approach that respects and values multiple perspectives
• Be committed to work collaboratively and respectfully toward resolving obstacles and conflicts

WHAT YOU'LL BRING

• Demonstrated passion for advancing civil rights and civil liberties, including racial and social justice
• Self-starter and ability to take initiative
• Strong administrative, organizational, and time management skills
• Detail-oriented and adept at handling multiple tasks simultaneously
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, along with strong problem-solving skills
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and possess experience with Internet research
• Excellent project management skills executed in fast-paced work environments
• Strong analytical skills, comfort with numerical reasoning
• Willing to conquer the "small tasks" with an understanding of their vital importance in the success of the Center
• Excellent writing and proofreading skills
• Ability to work independently, as well as within a team
• Paralegal or other experience in litigation a plus

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 $85,596. (Level J), reflecting the salary…