Administrative Director

The ACLU seeks a full-time position of Director, Policy & Government Affairs of the Liberty Division in the National Political Advocacy Department of the ACLU’s National office in Washington, DC. This is a hybrid role that has in-office requirements of two (2) days per week or eight (8) days per month.
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 work to center principles of equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging in our approach.
Lead and manage a team charged with charting the course for the ACLU’s policy agenda on reproductive freedom and LGBTQ rights, 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 Senior 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
Coordinate with other leaders within 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 division 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; 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
Develop staff capacity to work together collaboratively and grow issue expertise and policy and lobbying skills; 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
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
The ACLU seeks a highly-skilled individual who brings a deep understanding of and passion for reproductive freedom and LGBTQ rights, and other civil rights and civil liberties issues, and will have a track record of driving successful policy outcomes.
This leader will be experienced in leading legislative and administrative advocacy. They will be familiar with building, leading, and working within coalitions. The successful candidate will naturally connect and build strong relationships with others, demonstrating strong emotional intelligence and an ability to communicate clearly and persuasively. They will bring excellent research, writing, and analytical skills. In terms of the performance and personal competencies required for the position, we would highlight the following:
Proven ability to identify and set policy priorities
Decisive in strategic planning but aware of a changing environment and maintains a needed level of flexibility
The ability to set clear and challenging goals while committing the organization to improved performance; acts in a transparent and consistent manner while always taking into account what is best for the organization
The ability to motivate the team, attract and recruit top talent, delegate effectively, celebrate diversity within the team, and manage performance; leads by example and drives the organization's performance with an attitude of continuous improvement by being open to feedback and self-improvement
The willingness to make mistakes in pursuit of ambitious, game-changing goals, while possessing the ability to accept responsibility and learn from those mistakes with a sense of humor and humility
strong conflict management skills; The ACLU also has a locality adjustment policy that applies to salaries. This position is subject to a hybrid schedule of 2 days/week or 8 days/month in-office.
Whether it’s ending mass incarceration, achieving full equality for the LGBTQ+ community, establishing new privacy protections for our digital age, or preserving the right to vote or the right to have an abortion, the ACLU takes up the toughest civil liberties cases and issues to defend all people.
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
OUR COMMITMENT TO EQUITY, DIVERSITY & INCLUSION
Equity, diversity, and inclusion are core values of the ACLU and central to our work to advance liberty, equality, and justice for all. For us diversity, equity and inclusion are not just check-the-box activities, but a chance for us to make long-term meaningful change. We are a community committed to learning and growth, humility and grace, transparency and accountability. Because whether we’re in the courts or in the office, we believe ‘We the People’ means all of us.
With this commitment in mind, we strongly encourage applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status and record of arrest or conviction, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.
The ACLU is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual with a disability and need assistance applying online, please email benefits.The Department of Education has determined that employment in this position at the ACLU does not qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
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