Director, Policy Advocacy Department
ACLU of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
Policy Advocacy Department Director
The ACLU of Washington (ACLU‑WA) advances liberty and justice in the courts, legislatures, streets, and at the ballot box. Our work is rooted in the belief of a future where everyone in Washington, particularly those historically denied full enjoyment of civil rights, is free to pursue that future without barriers.
ACLU‑WA is seeking a Director of the Policy Advocacy Department (PAD). The Director reports to the Integrated Advocacy Director, leads PAD team members, and is a member of the Integrated Advocacy Department. The role supports and supervises Policy Advocacy and Organizing staff in developing long‑ and short‑term work plans, ensuring alignment with the organization’s strategic plan.
Responsibilities
Collaborate, facilitate, and develop structures for cross‑departmental work and strategies.
Support and assist in developing integrated advocacy policies, tools, and best practices.
Work with the IAD leadership team to shepherd multiyear strategies to advance advocacy goals, ensuring strategic sequencing and capacity.
Regularly evaluate alignment between program needs and resources to support effective advancement of the mission, vision, and values.
Develop and support staff in innovative policy solutions responsive to community needs, politically feasible, and consistent with the mission.
Facilitate integrated advocacy strategies and campaigns, collaborating with staff and external partners.
Identify urgent and emerging issues and guide development of responses.
Ensure PAD centers equity in advocacy work, increasing the power and voice of impacted communities.
Assist PAD leads in developing and implementing long‑term priorities.
Apply consistent program planning tools and decision‑making structures across PAD.
Guide development and implementation of consistent approaches to project planning, execution, and debriefing.
Maintain familiarity with each PAD team member’s work and policy areas.
Promote cohesion among issue areas and resolve potential conflicts.
Maintain knowledge of the organizing theory of change and philosophy.
Support staff in defining roles and responsibilities for engagement with impacted communities and partners.
Track, review, and compare annual expenses against budget; develop proposed budgets and approve expenditures.
Coordinate with the Legislative Affairs Department to lobby elected officials and public officials.
Prepare and deliver testimony; draft and review legal and policy advocacy letters and regulatory comments.
Serve on government task forces as assigned.
Analyze proposed legislation and regulations; provide policy and legal feedback to stakeholders.
Collaborate with Communications to increase support for policy proposals through public education.
Provide legal and policy expertise to support accurate and comprehensive messaging.
Hold PAD accountable for plans and oversee success of cross‑departmental campaigns.
Supervise hiring, onboarding, and offboarding processes for PAD staff.
Supervise and support staff including Policy Program Directors, Organizing Director, Organizers, Analysts, and Associate.
Build a culture of leadership and management that promotes teamwork, professional growth, and equity.
Present at board meetings and donor cultivation events.
Ensure PAD is a collaborator in integrated advocacy and facilitate staff collaborations.
Collaborate with the ACLU National and affiliates on nationwide and state‑specific issues.
Engage in community and coalition outreach, education, and events.
Build accountable relationships with allied organizations and partners.
Serve as an external spokesperson on policy issues.
Participate in hiring processes, strategic and program planning, and other activities to advance the mission.
Perform other related duties as assigned that are consistent and within the scope of the position.
Experience & Qualifications
Minimum three years of experience managing others, budgets, and volunteers.
Ten years of policy advocacy experience.
Experience in a senior policy position requiring significant political acumen and management.
J.D. or advanced degree in law, civil rights, or government is a plus.
Demonstrated ability to plan and implement effective strategies, maintain momentum, and evaluate progress.
Strong judgement, emotional intelligence, analytical and problem‑solving skills.
Diplomatic advocate with active listening skills who can navigate conflict.
Accessible, flexible, decisive, collaborative management style that inspires trust and accountability.
Clear direction setting, delegation, and responsibility assumption.
Compelling public speaker and strong writer/editor who can communicate complex information strategically.
Excellent organization and time‑management skills to manage work and supervise others.
Competence in office applications, databases, and electronic legal research.
Benefits
Three weeks vacation, twenty‑three sick days, twelve paid holidays, and two weeks paid office closure.
Employer‑paid professional development.
Medical, dental, vision, and disability insurance.
Retirement plan with employer contributions.
Student loan reimbursement, family care and adoption assistance.
Life insurance and ORCA card (regional transportation pass).
Laptops and home office supplies; technology support.
Work phone and $150 monthly stipend for work‑from‑home expenses.
Location
Seattle, Washington
Classification
This position is exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act and is 1 FTE.
Mental Demand
Decision‑making, high emotional intelligence, and building trusting relationships. The nature of this work can be emotionally demanding and requires thoughtful communication and resilience.
Work Environment & Conditions
Hybrid workstyle: some staff primarily remote; some office several days a week; minimum two days in office required.
Typical office hours 9 a.m.–5 p.m. in downtown Seattle.
Long periods of computer work, access to information by computer, occasional evening, weekend, and holiday work.
Travel locally or regionally for meetings and events.
Total Compensation
Salary range: $176,000.00 – $216,000.00, reflecting varying years of experience.
Commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging
ACLU‑WA is an equal‑opportunity employer and encourages applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, citizenship, disability, veteran status, or other protected characteristics. ACLU‑WA does not conduct criminal background checks on candidates.
People With Disabilities
ACLU‑WA is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you need assistance applying online, please email hiring@aclu‑wa.org to request accommodation information. If selected for an interview, additional accommodation information will be provided.
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The ACLU of Washington (ACLU‑WA) advances liberty and justice in the courts, legislatures, streets, and at the ballot box. Our work is rooted in the belief of a future where everyone in Washington, particularly those historically denied full enjoyment of civil rights, is free to pursue that future without barriers.
ACLU‑WA is seeking a Director of the Policy Advocacy Department (PAD). The Director reports to the Integrated Advocacy Director, leads PAD team members, and is a member of the Integrated Advocacy Department. The role supports and supervises Policy Advocacy and Organizing staff in developing long‑ and short‑term work plans, ensuring alignment with the organization’s strategic plan.
Responsibilities
Collaborate, facilitate, and develop structures for cross‑departmental work and strategies.
Support and assist in developing integrated advocacy policies, tools, and best practices.
Work with the IAD leadership team to shepherd multiyear strategies to advance advocacy goals, ensuring strategic sequencing and capacity.
Regularly evaluate alignment between program needs and resources to support effective advancement of the mission, vision, and values.
Develop and support staff in innovative policy solutions responsive to community needs, politically feasible, and consistent with the mission.
Facilitate integrated advocacy strategies and campaigns, collaborating with staff and external partners.
Identify urgent and emerging issues and guide development of responses.
Ensure PAD centers equity in advocacy work, increasing the power and voice of impacted communities.
Assist PAD leads in developing and implementing long‑term priorities.
Apply consistent program planning tools and decision‑making structures across PAD.
Guide development and implementation of consistent approaches to project planning, execution, and debriefing.
Maintain familiarity with each PAD team member’s work and policy areas.
Promote cohesion among issue areas and resolve potential conflicts.
Maintain knowledge of the organizing theory of change and philosophy.
Support staff in defining roles and responsibilities for engagement with impacted communities and partners.
Track, review, and compare annual expenses against budget; develop proposed budgets and approve expenditures.
Coordinate with the Legislative Affairs Department to lobby elected officials and public officials.
Prepare and deliver testimony; draft and review legal and policy advocacy letters and regulatory comments.
Serve on government task forces as assigned.
Analyze proposed legislation and regulations; provide policy and legal feedback to stakeholders.
Collaborate with Communications to increase support for policy proposals through public education.
Provide legal and policy expertise to support accurate and comprehensive messaging.
Hold PAD accountable for plans and oversee success of cross‑departmental campaigns.
Supervise hiring, onboarding, and offboarding processes for PAD staff.
Supervise and support staff including Policy Program Directors, Organizing Director, Organizers, Analysts, and Associate.
Build a culture of leadership and management that promotes teamwork, professional growth, and equity.
Present at board meetings and donor cultivation events.
Ensure PAD is a collaborator in integrated advocacy and facilitate staff collaborations.
Collaborate with the ACLU National and affiliates on nationwide and state‑specific issues.
Engage in community and coalition outreach, education, and events.
Build accountable relationships with allied organizations and partners.
Serve as an external spokesperson on policy issues.
Participate in hiring processes, strategic and program planning, and other activities to advance the mission.
Perform other related duties as assigned that are consistent and within the scope of the position.
Experience & Qualifications
Minimum three years of experience managing others, budgets, and volunteers.
Ten years of policy advocacy experience.
Experience in a senior policy position requiring significant political acumen and management.
J.D. or advanced degree in law, civil rights, or government is a plus.
Demonstrated ability to plan and implement effective strategies, maintain momentum, and evaluate progress.
Strong judgement, emotional intelligence, analytical and problem‑solving skills.
Diplomatic advocate with active listening skills who can navigate conflict.
Accessible, flexible, decisive, collaborative management style that inspires trust and accountability.
Clear direction setting, delegation, and responsibility assumption.
Compelling public speaker and strong writer/editor who can communicate complex information strategically.
Excellent organization and time‑management skills to manage work and supervise others.
Competence in office applications, databases, and electronic legal research.
Benefits
Three weeks vacation, twenty‑three sick days, twelve paid holidays, and two weeks paid office closure.
Employer‑paid professional development.
Medical, dental, vision, and disability insurance.
Retirement plan with employer contributions.
Student loan reimbursement, family care and adoption assistance.
Life insurance and ORCA card (regional transportation pass).
Laptops and home office supplies; technology support.
Work phone and $150 monthly stipend for work‑from‑home expenses.
Location
Seattle, Washington
Classification
This position is exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act and is 1 FTE.
Mental Demand
Decision‑making, high emotional intelligence, and building trusting relationships. The nature of this work can be emotionally demanding and requires thoughtful communication and resilience.
Work Environment & Conditions
Hybrid workstyle: some staff primarily remote; some office several days a week; minimum two days in office required.
Typical office hours 9 a.m.–5 p.m. in downtown Seattle.
Long periods of computer work, access to information by computer, occasional evening, weekend, and holiday work.
Travel locally or regionally for meetings and events.
Total Compensation
Salary range: $176,000.00 – $216,000.00, reflecting varying years of experience.
Commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging
ACLU‑WA is an equal‑opportunity employer and encourages applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, citizenship, disability, veteran status, or other protected characteristics. ACLU‑WA does not conduct criminal background checks on candidates.
People With Disabilities
ACLU‑WA is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you need assistance applying online, please email hiring@aclu‑wa.org to request accommodation information. If selected for an interview, additional accommodation information will be provided.
#J-18808-Ljbffr