Position: Program Director

Terms of Employment: Full-time/Exempt

Location: New York City (Currently remote position due to COVID-19)

Salary: $185,000-$215,000, commensurate with experience and qualifications

Application Deadline: Applications will be accepted until the position is filled

The New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU) is one of the nation’s leading advocates on behalf of constitutional rights and liberties. Founded in 1951, as the New York affiliate of the American Civil Liberties Union, the NYCLU is a not-for-profit, nonpartisan organization with more than 180,000 members and supporters, approximately 100 staff across eight offices statewide and an annual budget of $19 million. We work in the courts, in the legislatures and on the streets to advocate for racial and economic justice, free speech, freedom of religion, privacy and equality before the law for all New Yorkers. For more information, please visit our website: www.nyclu.org.

DEI VISION STATEMENT

The NYCLU affirmatively values the humanity and contributions of those we work with, inside and outside of the organization; and will take action to build and sustain an equitable, anti-racist culture that centers the voices and experiences of marginalized and directly impacted people and communities, and an organizational environment where all people feel valued, trusted, and respected. We are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and having a workforce that reflects the population that we serve and actively recruit people of color, women, people with disabilities, formerly incarcerated people, and LGBTQ and gender non-conforming people.

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION

The New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU) seeks an experienced, innovative, and dynamic leader to oversee and coordinate the NYCLU’s program areas. The NYCLU’s Program Director promotes an integrated, comprehensive approach that utilizes litigation, policy advocacy, communications, and organizing to achieve the organization’s strategic priorities. The successful candidate will have extensive experience both as a manager and a strategist in pursuing legislative and policy advocacy and/or litigation to further a broad range of civil liberties and civil rights.

This position requires an individual who thrives in a fast-paced yet collaborative environment, can skillfully design, implement, and support systems across all NYCLU program areas , can juggle multiple issues and projects, and has the competencies and commitment needed to create and support an equitable and high-performing work environment.

This position reports directly to the Executive Director and serves as a member of the NYCLU’s Senior Leadership team.

ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Cross departmental planning and execution

· Promote an integrated, comprehensive approach that utilizes litigation, policy advocacy, communications, and organizing to achieve the NYCLU’s strategic priorities in advancing civil liberties and civil rights.

· Implement framework for operation of inter-departmental, issue area-specific working groups to optimize holistic, interdisciplinary planning and execution of the NYCLU’s work.

· Develop strategic vision and priority goals in select emerging issues in collaboration with staff throughout the organization.

Strategic planning and monitoring and evaluation

· Oversee and direct long-term strategic planning to achieve the NYCLU’s mission and priorities. Identify and prioritize key areas where the NYCLU can have a tangible impact.

· Develop planning templates and guidance for departments and working groups to support them in identifying priority goals, strategies, and activities in the diverse issues area on NYCLU’s docket, including identifying new potential areas of work. Convene meetings to discuss and vet draft plans with senior leadership.

· Write program area of strategic plan and present plan to Board of Directors.

· Oversee monitoring and evaluation of extant strategic plan and report progress to staff and Board of Directors.

Supervision of program department directors

· Supervise and serve as a thought partner, mentor and coach to the directors of the Legal, Policy, and Field Organizing departments, the interdisciplinary Education Policy Center, and the Director overseeing the NYCLU’s regional offices

· Work with department directors to set priorities for litigation, law and policy advocacy, and community organizing.

· Support department directors in all aspects of personnel management, including hiring, promotions, performance evaluations, performance improvement plans, and professional development plans.

· Work closely with department directors, Chief of Staff, and Finance department to develop annual budgets that will create the internal capacity to achieve the organization’s strategic priorities.

Senior leadership

· Report directly to Executive Director, and serve as a member of the NYCLU’s senior leadership team.

· Act as thought partner and advisor to Executive Director.

· Chair and set agendas for weekly senior leadership team meetings.

· Lead special projects as designated by the Executive Director.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

· Working closely with the organizational consultants and DEI Committee members, develop and implement organization-wide DEI learning program.

· Develop and implement various strategies to achieve management-identified goals to enhance organizational culture, inclusion and belonging.

· Oversee utilization of decision-making rubric to vet potential litigation, legislation, policy, and campaigns, to ensure that decision-making is inclusive and transparent, and decisions reflect the NYCLU’s priorities and values.

· Support development and implementation of various activities to enhance staff’s sense of belonging and connection to the organization

· Contribute along with the Executive Director, Chief of Staff, the Director of Human Resources, and other staff to ensure that robust, equitable policies and practices are in place regarding recruitment, hiring, performance evaluation, and professional development.

Board work

· As designated by the Executive Director, staff Board committees.

QUALIFICATIONS

· J.D. required.

· At least 10+ years of progressively-responsible experience in litigation, and/or policy and legislative advocacy to advance civil liberties and civil rights.

· At least 10+ years of leadership, supervisory, and management experience.

· Experience in leading long-term strategic planning and an organizational development/organizational systems orientation a plus..

· Outstanding oral and written communications skills.

· Highly collaborative approach.

· Strategic thinker with outstanding judgment.

· Strong emotional intelligence.

· Demonstrated commitment to social justice and the NYCLU’s mission and strategic priorities.

· Demonstrated commitment to ensuring a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace.

HOW TO APPLY

Please submit your resume and cover letter that includes your unique qualifications for this position, where or how you learned of this job posting, your salary requirements, and whether your live in—or are willing to relocate to—the New York City area, via https://recruiting.paylocity.com/recruiting/jobs/Details/678609/New-York-Civil-Liberties-Union-Foundation/Program-Director

The NYCLU is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from all qualified individuals regardless of race, sex, gender identity or expression, age, disability, religion, national origin, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, veteran status, record of arrest or conviction or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and having a workforce that reflects the individuals that we serve.

The NYCLU 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 e-mail ldecicco@nyclu.org. If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request an accommodation for the interview process.

Apply Here

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