Name Change Project Director

A4TE and A4TE Education Fund seeks an experienced and dynamic Name Change Project Director who is eager to contribute to a high growth organization at a critical time for transgender rights. Originally established in 2007, the Name Change Project (NCP) secures access to free legal name changes for low-income trans and non-binary people in local communities across the country by training pro-bono attorneys and supporting participants. The Project also identifies and develops matters with A4TE litigation and policy attorneys focused on issues related to government identification. Since NCP’s inception, we have assisted over 7,000 transgender and non-binary people seeking name changes in states around the country. We have also successfully advocated for the removal of numerous legal barriers to name and gender marker changes, including through passage of New York’s Gender Recognition Act.

The Director will be responsible for the development of a comprehensive program assessment to guide the Name Change Project’s next chapter of development and growth. The Director will contemplate how to refine or reimagine the Project and its legal services for trans people within a larger national organization primarily committed to structural changes in law and policy. The Director will ensure program activities are aligned with workplans and the organization’s strategic priorities, providing staff and interns with consistent direction, supervision, and feedback. The successful candidate will have a passion for A4TE’s mission and possess a high degree of personal and professional integrity, trustworthiness, and judgement.

Key Responsibilities

Program Development and Management

• Conduct program analysis and needs assessment to further refine and strengthen the Name Change Project’s strategy, approach, and roles among other functions. Work with staff to develop and maintain workplans that map back to a refreshed strategy, including goals and anticipated outcomes.
• Serve as a resource to volunteer attorneys and pro bono law firms with questions related to name change and gender recognition law or individual case consultation. Collaborate with policy staff to regularly update and maintain ID Documents Center.
• Provide legal oversight of the Handbooks used by pro-bono attorneys, training materials, client FAQs, participant agreements, memoranda of understanding, and other explanatory documents.
• Work with A4TE policy and litigation attorneys to identify matters that pertain to government identification – name changes, gender recognition, etc. As appropriate, partner with staff to develop and pursue matters.
• Develop, implement, and evaluate team policies, procedures, and systems necessary to maintain consistent and quality services.
• Responsible to oversee, lead, manage, and routinely ensure on-time deliverables for applicable foundation grants or government contracts.
• Oversee team data collection and ensure timely and responsive reporting of compliance and contract activities. Responsible for reviewing the work and ensuring both accuracy and quality of data.
• Assist with any program or fiscal-related audit activities, including monitoring visits.

Staff Management and Supervision

• Regularly direct and coordinate the activities of the Name Change Project, team staff, and other related parties. The Director will initially supervise and manage a team of two, including a Senior Coordinator and Intake Associate and seasonal interns.
• Actively supervise and mentor attorneys and legal professional staff including paralegals, administrative staff, and interns.
• Plan, organize, and review the work of Name Change Project staff such as: intake and pro bono outreach, intake assignment and management, attorney training, drafting related documents, and reviewing reports.
• Manage the Name Change Project budget and workplans, including any grant and contract requirements and deliverables.
• Contribute to general management and supervision of staff and the organization alongside other managers. Actively work with other supervisors to identify opportunities for collaboration and to resolve issues between staff or teams.

External Relations

• Working closely with key staff, oversee and lead efforts to promote the Name Change Project and to engage target audiences that align with mission and strategic priorities.
• Actively develop and maintain program relationships with local, state, and national organizations, legal services groups, pro bono partners, and other key stakeholders. Maintain awareness and report out any relevant news, trends, and developments.
• Collaborate and communicate with local, state, and national advocacy groups to advance A4TE’s strategic priorities and to maximize effectiveness in the community
• Represent A4TE externally at various meetings, conferences, and other external events.

Required Qualifications

• License to practice law in in New York or District of Columbia or the ability to become admitted to become licensed in New York or DC within the first year of employment.
• Minimum 10 years of professional experience including considerable experience working in a legal aid/assistance setting.
• Minimum five (5) years of management and supervisory experience with a demonstrable record of providing attorneys and legal staff with clear direction, feedback, mentorship, and accountability to the work.
• Demonstrable program development experience, including program design, implementation, and/or evaluation.
• Professional experience working on issues in either an advocacy or legal services setting pertaining to trans rights, LGBTQI+ rights, gender justice, civil rights, civil liberties, or nondiscrimination among others.
• Competency in and commitment to working respectfully and effectively with transgender and nonbinary people of color, those living with disabilities, and those who are living on a low-to-no income.
• Experience representing clients, particularly in a legal service setting.
• Strong legal analytical, writing, and editing skills, including experience with preparation and review of legal filings, memos, briefs, and other related documentation.
• Ability to set and maintain team priorities and workflows, often with multiple touchpoints.
• Solid verbal, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills, including a responsiveness to resolve conflict with integrity and compassion.
• Ability to develop and sustain positive relationships with name change program participants, pro-bono partners, trans-serving organizations, and movement leaders.
• Highly organized and adept at goal-setting, tracking time, and making improvements where necessary.
• An understanding of the dynamics involving power and privilege and a willingness to accept input and feedback from clients, colleagues, and community members impacted by the work.
• Proficient and demonstrated skill with case management software, Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and SharePoint.
• Ability to travel occasionally in the United States.

Preferred Qualifications

• Proficiency or fluency in Spanish is desired.
• Prior experience with Salesforce or a similar constituent relationship management (CRM) platform.
• Experience representing clients in name and gender marker changes is desired.
• Direct experience with general compliance, rules, and ethics applicable to non-profit, tax-exempt organizations in the U.S., including familiarity with privately funded and government contracted legal services.
• Prior experience working in an organized labor setting.
• The candidate will also likely have experience making sure funder or government contract requirements are met on deadline.

Timeline

Anticipated start date January or February 2025.