Associate Director - Policy
The Associate Director of Policy (ADP) will identify, develop, oversee, and implement legislative and policy strategies to advance the Center for Constitutional Rights’ key priorities in challenging white supremacy, economic oppression, gender oppression, and abusive state practices. This new position will formalize the Center for Constitutional Rights’ institutional presence in policy and decision-making fora and mechanisms, and help build a team that at full capacity will conduct policy research and strategic interventions at the state, federal, and international levels, in collaboration with other members of the Advocacy and Legal teams.
As the director of the forthcoming policy hub at the Center for Constitutional Rights, the ADP will design and test innovative, movement-based advocacy strategies together with other Advocacy and Legal Team members, movement partners, clients, and impacted communities. The ADP will build, manage, and oversee relationships with key state, federal, and international lawmakers and policymakers; participate in key policy coalitions; spearhead such efforts as Congressional briefings and delegations; draft legislation and other policy documents; and work with Advocacy staff in developing strategic advocacy campaigns. As a senior member of the advocacy team, the ADP will be engaged in further developing the Center for Constitutional Rights’ movement-advocacy approach, and helping to grow our capacity to effectively shift power and alter the material conditions of our people.
Reporting directly to the Advocacy Director and working closely with Legal and Advocacy department colleagues, the ADP will pursue and oversee interventions that build political momentum toward necessary social transformation. The ideal candidate brings creative thinking, deep expertise in federal advocacy, and experience advancing policy vehicles at the local, state, national, and international level with a demonstrated commitment to achieving the vision of impacted communities and social movements in the U.S. and internationally.
Responsibilities:
● Conceive, develop, and manage creative, vision-forward, people-centered legislative and policy strategies at the federal, state, local. and international levels, consistent with the Center for Constitutional Rights’ programmatic priorities
● Deepen and expand upon the Center for Constitutional Rights’ long-standing legislative policy efforts, relationships, and joint advocacy with movement partners
● Serve as lead the Center for Constitutional Rights representative for lawmakers and policymakers developing, overseeing, maintaining, and strengthening relationships with key lawmakers and their staff and committee staff to educate on priority issues and advance our policy agenda
● Monitor and track pending legislation, regulations, and policy discussions to identify opportunities for engagement and input by the Center for Constitutional Rights’ staff and movement partners
● Conceive effective delegations to Washington or other sites of political decision-making (such a state capitols, relevant Congressional districts, or international venues), including through meetings and briefings with decision-makers, as well as partner convenings
● Conduct, develop and manage research and policy analysis on the Center for Constitutional Rights’ priority issues and draft and review relevant policy documents including white papers, draft legislation, policy backgrounders, advocacy letters, etc.
● Provide and manage support to movement partners to facilitate engagement with law and policy makers at local, state, federal, and international level, including by leading strategy sessions and developing policy advocacy campaigns with Center for Constitutional Rights staff and partners
● Participate in relevant coalitions with movement partners to coordinate effective joint advocacy at the federal, state, and local levels
● Work with advocacy team members to develop major advocacy strategies to shift power and interventions, including campaigns
● Work with the Advocacy Director to shape the strategic direction of the policy hub within an evolving advocacy team structure
Qualifications:
● 7+ years of federal, state, and/or international policy advocacy experience in any of the Center for Constitutional Rights’ core priority areas: racial justice, gender justice, economic justice, and protecting human rights from abusive state practices
● Political alignment and belief in the mission of the Center for Constitutional Rights and approach in following the leadership of impacted people and working in partnership with social movements
● A demonstrated ability to think and plan strategically, including an ability to lead and manage complex policy advocacy efforts involving multiple issues and parties
● Expertise on executive and legislative procedure, vehicles, and mechanisms, with experience drafting and introducing legislation, organizing Congressional and agency briefings, and providing research and expert testimony
● A demonstrated ability to develop and manage strong relationships and partnerships with coalitions of grassroots and national organizations, community members/leaders, and public officials
● Experience working with grassroots and/or movement organizations to develop policy advocacy campaigns, and experience leveraging political interventions to build the power of grassroots movements
● Strong digital skills for purposes of policy advocacy, with proficiency in any government relations software, MS Office applications, Adobe, and Google applications
● Excellent research, writing, and public speaking skills
● Outstanding organizational and time management skills, including proven ability to efficiently manage multiple tasks and priorities under tight deadlines and in a fast- paced environment
● Familiarity with 501(c)3 and 501(c)4 rules and regulations including lobbying limits, application to ballot measures and elections, and maximizing advocacy
● Familiarity with international human rights mechanisms and advocacy required
● Ability and willingness to travel as necessary
● Integrity, emotional intelligence, and willingness to practice vulnerability, self-reflection, and accountability
Preferred Skills or Qualifications
● Juris Doctor degree strongly preferred
● Customer relationship management (CRM) software experience preferred
Vaccine and booster requirement: All staff members are required to submit proof of vaccination against COVID-19.
