Executive Director

For over 100 years, the ACLU has been at the forefront of every major civil liberties fight in the country’s history. The ACLU takes up the toughest civil liberties issues to defend all individuals from government abuse and overreach. With ACLU affiliate offices in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico, the ACLU fights tirelessly to defend our rights in the courts, influence public policy, and empower communities to advance rights for all.

The ACLU of Arizona, founded in 1959, is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, public interest organization dedicated to the defense and expansion of civil liberties and civil rights in Arizona. The ACLU of Arizona is a passionate, highly motivated group looking for exceptional talent to join their team.

The ACLU is deeply committed to racial equity and social justice and is driven to act on these core values. Applicants must be able to recognize ways different identities intersect and play out in the work, especially with communities that the ACLU of Arizona serves, and must demonstrate the cultural competency to work with a diverse team and effectively partner with historically marginalized communities.

For more information on the ACLU of Arizona (ACLU-AZ), please visit its .

ACLU-AZ is seeking an experienced, strategic, and visionary Executive Director to lead the organization’s statewide advocacy agenda during this important moment when civil liberties and civil rights are front and center across the nation and in Arizona. The Executive Director must have a proven track record of incorporating equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging (EDIB) principles in all aspects of an organization, building and maintaining partnerships with communities most impacted by civil liberties and civil rights injustices, strong fundraising and organizational acumen, and a proven track record of team building, developing staff leadership and creating a brave space to mediate differences.

As the Executive Director, you will play a pivotal role in guiding the organization towards its mission by ensuring a harmonious and productive work environment.

The position requires that the Executive Director be a collaborative and driven leader with a broad range of knowledge and significant commitment to the furtherance of civil liberties and civil rights.

The Executive Director will serve as the chief executive officer of the ACLU-AZ, managing the organization’s day-to-day activities and operations, with primary responsibilities including:

• Build on past successes by inspiring the creation and implementation of new strategies that advance civil liberties/civil rights in the context of a challenging state political climate.
• Serve as the lead fundraiser and spokesperson for the ACLU-AZ’s mission and programs.
• Grow and expand the ACLU-AZ’s reputation and influence; provide clear vision and direction to guide programs.
• Work closely with the Board and staff to develop and periodically update the organization’s priorities, strategies and policies, and to design and implement campaigns that support the successful achievement of strategic goals.
• Continue and build on the use of integrated advocacy by which civil liberties/civil rights issues are addressed in a cross-disciplinary approach that embraces litigation, lobbying, and public education.
• Exhibit courage and clarity when addressing highly controversial and complex issues and lead the Board through thoughtful consideration of conflicting positions on those issues.
• Guard the organization’s integrity, credibility, and non-partisanship by emphasizing these qualities in all aspects of the ACLU-AZ’s work.
• Motivate and maintain a cohesive staff, ensuring that there is strong internal communication, coordination, and accountability.
• Mediate and resolve conflicts between team members, departments, and other stakeholders, fostering a culture of open communication and understanding.
• Work with staff members to establish goals for their respective departments and encourage and motivate the staff to focus on the organization’s mission. Ensure that the staff has the resources needed to accomplish their goals.
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