Center for Reproductive Rights - Washington, DC
posted 4 days ago
About the position
The Director of U.S. Federal Policy and Advocacy leads the Center's U.S. federal policy and advocacy program. The Director provides strategic vision and oversight for the program and is responsible for developing, implementing, and managing the Center's multi-faceted reproductive rights federal policy initiatives and strategies. The Director is a senior leader in the Government and External Relations (GER) Division and the Center as a whole. The Director is accountable for developing and executing federal policy and advocacy strategies; developing a results-oriented framework and metrics for evaluating this work; assessing staffing requirements; collaborating closely with Global Advocacy team on US foreign policy strategy and related US government engagement; facilitating and advising on external relations opportunities; advising on institutional advocacy strategies; and collaborating across Center programs and departments, as well as with outside partners, to ensure the Center accomplishes its goals. The Director manages the 10-15 attorneys and staff on the U.S. federal team and is responsible for fostering an inclusive, positive team culture, identifying opportunities for staff to grow and develop, and modeling open communication practices.
Responsibilities
- Develop and lead the effective implementation of U.S. federal legal and policy advocacy strategies to advance the Center's strategic plan.
- Help increase the Center's profile as a leader in policy development, administrative law analysis, and administrative and legislative advocacy.
- Expand reach of advocacy work by maximizing the impact of Center and coalition-led campaigns and initiatives, including the Women's Health Protection Act and other advocacy campaigns and efforts.
- Expand policy development and administrative law advocacy strategy by identifying and pursuing new areas of work where the Center can lead within coalition spaces.
- Liaise with US program teams, including litigation and state policy and advocacy, to advance access to comprehensive reproductive health care at the federal level.
- Work closely with the Director of Pro Bono to cultivate new and existing pro bono partnerships and projects with law firms, law associations, and law schools.
- Participate in strategy development across the Government and External Relations Department, with U.S. programs and the Center's other regional programs, and lead internal and external efforts to implement those strategies.
- Collaborate with GER leadership, program, communications, and digital teams, among others, to develop program content and messaging strategies.
- Represent the Center externally and translate complex policies and practices into accessible communications for diverse audiences including lawmakers, advocates, coalition partners, funders, and the media.
- Serve as a strategic advisor and thought partner to Center leadership.
- Build and maintain relationships with key federal policy stakeholders including administration officials and Members of Congress and staff.
- Collaborate with coalition partners in the reproductive rights and justice movements and develop new relationships to advocate for policy change at the federal level.
- Collaborate across social justice organizations to ensure the Center's priorities are represented within the broader social justice coalitions and identify leadership opportunities within these spaces.
- Lead, mentor, and supervise members of the Federal Policy and Advocacy team.
- Manage work planning, staffing requirements, and budgeting process for the Federal Policy and Advocacy team.
- Create an environment and culture that fosters constructive problem-solving, good communication, flexibility, and a 'can do/will do' attitude, with honesty, respect, and good humor.
- Support the Chief Government and External Relations Officer to ensure that key federal policy program outcomes are evaluated and leveraged for maximum impact.
Requirements
- Strong commitment to the Center's mission, purpose, and values.
- JD required with at least 15 years legal or advocacy experience.
- Bar membership in the District of Columbia required or a commitment to obtain membership within 18 months of assuming the position.
- Significant experience leading a team and supervising, training, or mentoring junior attorneys or individuals with different levels of experience and expertise; experience working with executive leadership or C-suite a plus.
- Successful experience in developing and implementing policy initiatives in the U.S. at the federal level; political, legislative, or administrative advocacy experience strongly preferred.
- Experience in working or building coalitions; leadership within coalitions of social justice and/or human rights movements preferred.
- Dedication to intersectional advocacy and the Center's human rights-based approach.
- Exceptional communication and advocacy skills, both orally and in writing; ability to communicate complex issues to a lay audience clearly, concisely and powerfully.
- Creative and strategic thinker with good judgment and excellent analytical capabilities.
- A high level of energy, self-confidence, initiative, and follow-through; ability to recognize and act on opportunities in a fast-paced environment.
- Ability to give and receive feedback and resolve conflicts constructively.
- Demonstrated track record of effective people management.
- Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Benefits
- Health: The Center pays up to 95% of the premium for a comprehensive health insurance plan with no in-network deductible and best-in-class reproductive healthcare coverage, including infertility.
- Flexibility: The Center currently operates in a hybrid model, allowing staff to work 3 days in the office and work 2 days from home.
- Well-being: The Center offers resources to help prevent and recover from burnout through different programs that enable mental, physical and community well-being.
- Growth: You will be working with and learning from some of the top legal and operational minds, all passionate about the mission of advancing reproductive rights around the world.
- Global: You will get a front-row seat to update on the fight for reproductive rights in the global space.
- Investment: After the first year of employment, the Center will contribute 7.5% of your annual salary to a 401(k).
