Deputy Director, Mississippi State Office

Southern Poverty Law Center•Jackson, MS

9d•$153,500

About The Position

The Deputy Director for the Mississippi State Office is the second-in-command, working closely with the Mississippi State Director to implement the Southern Poverty Law Center’s mission and strategic impact goals throughout Mississippi. The role provides leadership support for state-based operations and develops expertise for potential advancement within SPLC’s leadership structure. As a member of the Mississippi leadership team, the Deputy Director helps manage movement-focused staff, supports strategic planning and implementation, and maintains relationships with legal, policy, advocacy, community, and other partner groups. The position also supports day-to-day operations of the Jackson office, fostering a collaborative, collegial, and productive work culture and ensuring continuity of operations and strategic direction. The role may be designated Local Remote, working remotely while attending work-related activities at SPLC offices or in the states where SPLC operates, or Telework, working at an SPLC office at least three days per week and potentially working two days per week from an alternative location. The position works in Mississippi 100% of the time, statewide, with a primary focus on central and north or south Mississippi. It reports to the Mississippi State Director. The work is performed under general office conditions, without strenuous physical demands or dangerous conditions, and requires some evening and weekend work. This is an exempt role with a minimum starting salary of $153,500 annually; salary is commensurate with experience. SPLC refers applicants to its benefits information but does not specify individual benefits in this posting.

Requirements

At least seven years of experience in legal, policy advocacy, or social justice/civil rights work, with demonstrated relationships within Mississippi’s movement ecosystem.
At least five years of management or supervisory experience with professional staff, including performance management and team development.
High school diploma or GED.
Commitment to and understanding of SPLC’s mission, vision, and values.
Ability to work some evenings and weekends.

Responsibilities

Assist in developing, implementing, and monitoring SPLC state-based strategies and goals aligned with local and regional priorities.
Serve as acting State Director in the State Director’s absence to ensure continuity of operations and decision-making.
Collaborate on strategic planning and support leadership of a statewide team of policy, legal, communications, and organizing professionals.
Help design and manage Mississippi state-based strategies, initiatives, and programs that advance SPLC’s mission.
Identify, develop, and maintain relationships with stakeholders, partner organizations, policymakers, opinion leaders, funding partners, and community leaders.
Supervise designated staff, including recruiting, training, and developing them, and provide direct management support to advance organizational strategies and maintain a culture of learning and collaboration.
Lead or co-lead campaigns, initiatives, or program areas supporting multi-strategy issue projects and campaigns.
Develop and manage components of the state office budget and help ensure compliance with lobbying activities and state and local lobbying and ethical rules and requirements.
Support communication strategies for Mississippi campaigns, programs, and projects in collaboration with SPLC Communications staff; serve as a backup spokesperson for SPLC in Mississippi when designated.
Work with relevant departments and Center staff to oversee and ensure the effective functioning of Jackson office systems, policies, and protocols.
Support initiatives and programs for Jackson office staff that elevate Center values, promote employee engagement, build team synergy, and enhance professional development opportunities.
Uphold JEDI principles by seeking diverse collaborators and partners and ensuring their contributions support the Center’s and Mississippi State Office’s shared mission, vision, values, and goals.
Perform other duties reasonably within the scope of the job classification.