Director of National Campaigns

Summary

Join the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) as the Director of National Campaigns, Transgender Justice! This hybrid role, based in New York, NY or Washington, DC, requires two days a week in the office. You will lead a team in developing and executing campaigns focused on transgender justice, LGBTQ+ rights, and other civil liberties issues at the national level. Responsibilities include collaborating with affiliates, managing budgets, building relationships with allies, and driving political advocacy. The ideal candidate possesses extensive experience in legislative and administrative advocacy, coalition building, and national-scale campaign management. The ACLU offers a competitive salary, comprehensive benefits, and a commitment to professional development.

Requirements

• Be 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
• Be committed to work collaboratively and respectfully toward resolving obstacles and conflicts
• Deep understanding of and passion for LGBTQ rights and other civil rights and civil liberties issues
• Track record of driving successful outcomes
• Experience in leading legislative and administrative advocacy
• Familiarity with building, leading, and working within coalitions
• Ability to 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
• Comfort representing the organization and public speaking experience
• Considerable experience designing campaign strategy and tactics and executing sophisticated campaign plans on a national scale
• Effectiveness working in a fast-paced environment, handling multiple tasks simultaneously, working efficiently and quickly, being reliable in delivery against deadlines, and being composed under pressure

Responsibilities

• Support and consult with the State Campaigns Division and ACLU affiliates on identifying and executing on transgender justice, LGBTQ rights, and other civil rights and civil liberties issues-related, state-based campaigns to the extent that they overlap with federal 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 racial justice, economic justice and other 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 Division, as well as campaigns and initiatives in response to unexpected, significant developments
• Operate as a central decision maker on designated issue areas with regards to overall campaign strategy and priorities, and shaping budgeting decisions; in partnership with key stakeholders, manage external engagements, and develop political messaging frames
• 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
• Demonstrate an ability to be flexible and adjust priorities as necessary in order to adapt to changing external environment
• Engage in special projects and other duties as assigned

Preferred Qualifications

• Proven track record in issue advocacy and/or electoral campaign experience at the national/federal level - campaign management experience strongly preferred
• 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 issues deemed a priority by the organization
• 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
• The ability to motivate the team, attract, 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

Benefits

• Time away to focus on the things that matter with a generous paid time-off policy
• Comprehensive healthcare benefits (including medical, dental and vision coverage, parental leave, gender affirming care & fertility treatment)
• 401k plan and employer match
• Annual professional development funds, internal professional development programs and workshops