Director, Policy & Government Affairs - Justice Division

ABOUT THE JOB

The ACLU seeks applicants for the full-time position of Director, Policy & Government Affairs - Justice Division in the National Political Advocacy Department of the ACLU's National office

This is a hybrid role that has in-office requirements of two (2) days per week or eight (8) days per month.

The National Political Advocacy Department builds power to achieve an accountable, representative democracy. We have ambitious goals across Reproductive Freedom, Democracy and Voting Rights, Systemic Equality, Immigration, Trans Justice, Criminal Justice and other core issues in order to protect and expand civil rights and civil liberties, and advance the freedom, equality, ability to prosper, and humanity of all People.

Our department conducts analysis, develops policy, crafts world class campaigns and situates the ACLU to have impact across legislative, administrative, and electoral levers. We are policy experts, lawyers, community organizers, lobbyists, campaign strategists, electoral specialists, program managers and more. We partner across the ACLU to drive national efforts, and support and amplify the priorities of our affiliates. We work to center principles of equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging in our approach.
WHAT YOU'LL DO

The Director, Policy & Government Affairs - Justice Division will report to the National Director of Policy & Government Affairs.
YOUR DAY TO DAY

• 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…