Director, National Campaigns, Abuse of Power

The ACLU seeks applicants for the full-time position of Director, National Campaigns, Abuse of Power in the National Political Advocacy Department of the ACLU’s National office in Washington, D.C. This is a hybrid role that has in-office requirements of two (2) days per week or eight (8) days per month.    

The National Political Advocacy Department builds power to achieve an accountable, representative democracy. We have ambitious goals across Reproductive Freedom, Democracy and Voting Rights, Systemic Equality, Immigration, Trans Justice, Criminal Justice and other core issues in order to protect and expand civil rights and civil liberties, and advance the freedom, equality, ability to prosper, and humanity of all People. 

Our department conducts analysis, develops policy, crafts world class campaigns and situates the ACLU to have impact across legislative, administrative, and electoral levers. We are policy experts, lawyers, community organizers, lobbyists, campaign strategists, electoral specialists, program managers and more. We partner across the ACLU to drive national efforts, and support and amplify the priorities of our affiliates. We work to center principles of equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging in our approach. 

The Director, National Campaigns, Abuse of Power will report to the Senior Director, National Campaigns. 

• 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  

• 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

The ACLU seeks a highly-skilled and experienced individual who brings deep issue campaign experience and passion for civil rights and civil liberties issues. They will have a track record of designing campaign strategy and tactics and executing sophisticated campaign plans on a national scale. 

This leader will be experienced in leading legislative and administrative advocacy campaigns. They will be familiar with building, leading, and working within coalitions. The successful candidate will naturally connect and build strong relationships with others, demonstrating strong emotional intelligence and an ability to communicate clearly and persuasively. They will bring excellent research, writing, and analytical skills. The successful candidate will be comfortable representing the organization and bring public speaking experience. 

This leader will be 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. 

In terms of the performance and personal competencies required for the position, we would highlight the following: