Program Director

Summary

Join the Alliance for Justice (AFJ) as the AFJ Law Program Director and lead the development and implementation of a new program focused on providing legal services to progressive nonprofits. This role requires a deep understanding of nonprofit advocacy laws and a minimum of 15 years of relevant legal experience, including 8 years specializing in nonprofit advocacy, lobbying, and/or campaign finance law. You will manage staff, develop program strategies, and represent AFJ with various stakeholders. The position offers a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package. This is an opportunity to build a program from the ground up and make a significant impact on the progressive movement. The position is full-time and can be performed remotely from anywhere in the contiguous United States.

Requirements

• J.D., an active law license in one or more U.S. jurisdictions, and a minimum of 15 years of experience in legal policy or advocacy work, at least 8 of which must have been spent specializing in nonprofit advocacy, lobbying, and/or campaign finance law
• Experience providing legal services and legal representation to nonprofit clients; drafting legal memos, motions, or similar documents; managing client relationships; and utilizing organizational systems required to do so
• 5+ years' experience in management, with demonstrated commitment to inspiring a team and the professional development of staff
• Mastery of federal nonprofit advocacy laws (i.e. tax code lobbying limits for public charities, 501(c)(3) nonpartisan advocacy, 501(c)(4) primary vs. secondary purpose activities, etc.), plus knowledge of state laws in jurisdiction(s) where you maintain an active law license
• Experience in program development, including ability to develop multi-year strategic program plans and implement new priorities
• Familiarity with the progressive nonprofit landscape, state of nonprofit advocacy laws, and regulatory climate pertaining to nonprofit advocacy and tax status
• Experience with, and working knowledge of contract review, negotiation, drafting and contract process management experience
• Ability to respond quickly to questions and issues with succinct and practical advice and to provide legal counsel geared to the goals and values of nonprofits
• Strong analytical skills and demonstrated ability to understand complex legal concepts and offer succinct explanations and counsel to colleagues and partners
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, with experience and comfort in engaging diverse audiences and external stakeholders including high level audiences such as boards and funders
• Innovative, with demonstrated experience driving big picture ideas from conception to implementation
• Experience developing and managing organizational department budgets
• Demonstrated commitment to social justice causes

Responsibilities

• Plan, develop, and direct AFJ Law to build progressive nonprofits’ power by providing legal services pertaining to 501(c)(3) compliance and risk management strategies related to federal and state advocacy laws
• Represent clients in limited scope representations; review, research, interpret, and prepare written opinions on relevant legal issues
• Work with the Vice President of Strategy, VP of Operations/Chief of Staff, and finance and administration staff to design AFJ Law’s structure, operational systems, and new organizational infrastructure to support AFJ’s expansion as a legal service provider
• Work with VP of Strategy and other organization leadership to identify priorities for AFJ Law’s client base, such as geographic, issue area, and size/scope of nonprofits to prioritize
• Identify staffing and consulting needs; manage (including hiring, supervision, discipline, and firing) staff and vendors
• Work with Bolder Advocacy staff to ensure advice/guidance provided by both programs is in line, and identify frequently asked Technical Assistance questions to inform the scope of potential AFJ Law services
• Stay up to date with and advise nonprofits on laws applicable to 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) organizations, including tax code, election, campaign finance, and lobbying disclosure
• Provide timely research and advice when novel or complex questions related to tax code, election, lobbying, campaign finance, ethics, and other nonprofit laws arise
• Work with the Communications team to develop messaging and promotion resources to increase visibility of AFJ Law
• Oversee the development of AFJ Law program goals, future scope of legal services for program growth, and KPI’s (Key Performance Indicators) in coordination with the VP of Strategy and organization leadership and report progress to stakeholders such as the Board of Directors as necessary
• Partner with the Development team to raise funds for AFJ Law, meeting with donors and funders and ensuring existing grant deliverables are met
• Work with organization leadership and finance team to develop and monitor AFJ Law’s budget, ensure maximum resource utilization, and long-term growth of the program
• Establish and maintain relationships with a diverse group of partners, nonprofit legal service organizations, and networks of nonprofit tax and elections law attorneys, representing AFJ Law as an established player in the sector’s response to attacks on nonprofits
• Work with AFJ’s General Counsel to develop internal policies to ensure adherence to legal requirements and best practices for legal service providers
• Develop policies related to managing conflicts of interest and other ethical concerns related to client representation
• Develop standard operating procedures for client intake, scope of service, retention, and termination
• Maintain legal expertise in state lobby and campaign finance law for any jurisdictions where Program Director maintains an active law license
• Other duties as assigned

Benefits

• Full employer-paid medical, dental, vision benefits, as well as an employee assistance program for physical and mental well-being
• Employer-paid life and disability insurance
• Save for retirement with an employer matching 401K plan. Save on out-of-pocket medical and childcare expenses with a flexible spending account
• We have a generous paid time off policy
• 10 days per year
• Employees are granted 3 days of bereavement for the deaths of immediate family (spouse, parents, siblings, grandparents, etc.)
• We provide up to 16 weeks of parental leave and a range of paid and unpaid family leave programs that allow our employees to bond with and care for their children and other dependents