Director, National Campaigns, Abuse of Power

American Civil Liberties Union • Columbia, WA

2d • $229,096 • Hybrid

About The Position

The ACLU is seeking a full-time Director, National Campaigns, Abuse of Power for its National Political Advocacy Department in Washington, D.C. This is a hybrid role requiring two days per week or eight days per month in the office. The National Political Advocacy Department aims to build power for an accountable, representative democracy, pursuing ambitious goals across various civil rights and civil liberties issues such as Reproductive Freedom, Democracy and Voting Rights, Systemic Equality, Immigration, Trans Justice, and Criminal Justice. The department conducts analysis, develops policy, crafts campaigns, and influences legislative, administrative, and electoral processes. It comprises policy experts, lawyers, community organizers, lobbyists, campaign strategists, and program managers, partnering across the ACLU to drive national efforts and support affiliates, while centering principles of equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging.

Requirements

• Committed to advancing the mission of the ACLU 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
• Committed to work collaboratively and respectfully toward resolving obstacles and conflicts
• Highly-skilled and experienced individual who brings deep issue campaign experience and passion for civil rights and civil liberties issues
• Track record of designing campaign strategy and tactics and executing sophisticated campaign plans on a national scale
• Experienced in leading legislative and administrative advocacy campaigns
• Familiar with building, leading, and working within coalitions
• Naturally connect and build strong relationships with others, demonstrating strong emotional intelligence and an ability to communicate clearly and persuasively
• Excellent research, writing, and analytical skills
• Comfortable representing the organization and bring public speaking experience
• Effective working in a fast-paced environment, can handle multiple tasks simultaneously, is able to work efficiently and quickly, is reliable in their delivery against deadlines, and is composed under pressure
• Proven track record in issue advocacy and/or electoral campaign experience at the national/federal level
• Decisive in strategic planning but is aware of a changing environment and maintains a needed level of flexibility
• The vision and skills to create and articulate an inspiring vision for the Division
• The ability to set clear and challenging goals while committing the organization to improved performance; tenacious and accountable in driving results
• Comfortable with ambiguity and uncertainty; capacity to adapt nimbly and lead others through complex situations
• A leader who is viewed by others as having a high degree of integrity and forethought in their approach to making decisions; acts in a transparent and consistent manner while always taking into account what is best for the organization
• Develop and manage budget to execute multi-tooled campaign plans
• Demonstrated experience leading people and teams
• The ability to motivate the team, attract and recruit, and retain top talent, delegate effectively, celebrate diversity within the team, and manage performance; widely viewed as a strong developer of others
• Able to persevere in the face of challenges and exhibit a steadfast resolve and relentless commitment to higher standards
• Self-reflective and aware of their own limitations; 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
• Outstanding relationship builder who uses influence effectively in a variety of settings, both within the organization and with external constituencies, including public officials, trade associations, and other relevant parties
• Ability to work in a matrixed and federated environment; strong conflict management skills; ability to bring consensus around a common purpose and deliver collaborative solutions
• Demonstrated commitment to working respectfully toward resolving obstacles and/or conflicts
• Skilled at advocacy, influence, and persuasion; able to convince others to act on information or recommendations based on compelling logic or common best interests
• Deep commitment to actively promoting the values and practices of diversity, equity, and inclusion, and further fostering an environment of belonging and trust
• Excellent emotional intelligence and ability to work closely and collaboratively with a wide range of people

Nice To Haves

• Campaign management experience strongly preferred

Responsibilities

• Work closely with Divisions within NPAD, including Policy & Government Affairs and Organizing, and ACLU affiliates to chart the course for the ACLU’s abuse of power portfolio, and other civil rights and civil liberties issues-related federal campaigns within the National Political Advocacy Department
• Support and consult with the State Campaigns Division and ACLU affiliates on identifying and executing on civil rights and civil liberties issues-related, state-based campaigns to the extent that they overlap with federal/national campaigns
• Lead a cross-functional team charged with developing campaign goals, strategies, and budgets to reach political/policy outcomes
• Responsible for achieving legislative and administrative victories that advance civil rights and civil liberties issues at the national/federal level, while building the ACLU’s power
• Identify areas of work that should be prioritized by the team, as well as campaigns and initiatives in response to unexpected, significant developments
• In partnership with Policy & Government Affairs, develop and maintain relationships with key allies and partner organizations to further political advocacy goals
• Drive campaign interventions that leverage the political power wielded by the Department and the ACLU
• Work with other departments across the ACLU, like Communications, Analytics, Legal etc. to develop comprehensive strategies to advance goals
• Maintain big-picture awareness of emerging opportunities and challenges within the position’s purview
• Support efforts to fundraise on behalf of the Department and the broader ACLU
• Help develop staff capacity to work together collaboratively and grow issue expertise and campaign skills
• Support efforts to recruit staff, and further strengthen the 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
• Represent the department in internal and external context, as the leader of the specially designated campaign/programming
• Demonstrate an ability to be flexible and adjust priorities as necessary in order to adapt to changing external environment
• Engage in other leadership and management duties as assigned
• Engage in special projects and other duties as assigned
• This position requires flexibility in work schedule and location, including the ability to travel nationally as programming demands and work nontraditional hours

Benefits

• 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
• We support employee growth and development through annual professional development funds, internal professional development programs and workshops

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Education Level: No Education Listed
• Number of Employees: 101-250 employees