Federal Research and Advocacy Director

Alliance for Justice (AFJ), a national association of nearly 140 organizations dedicated to advancing justice and democracy, and Alliance for Justice Action Campaign (AFJ Action), an affiliated advocacy organization, are seeking a Federal Research and Advocacy Director.

AFJ envisions a vibrant, ambitious, multi-racial democracy where historically marginalized voices are amplified to upend exclusionary systems and center justice in our institutions of power. AFJ works towards that vision by building the strength of progressive movements with training and education for nonprofit organizations on advocacy, while harnessing their collective power to transform our state and federal courts.

AFJ has two primary programs:

• • Our Bolder Advocacy Program works with nonprofits and foundations to help them navigate the rules surrounding 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), and PACs so they can be more courageous and effective in their advocacy.
  • Our Justice Program works to ensure that our state and federal courts protect our democracy and our core rights and values, preserve human rights, and provide access to justice for all. An essential part of this program is working to thoroughly vet the backgrounds of federal judicial nominees, to educate the public and elected leaders about those nominees, and to ensure that only demographically and professionally diverse nominees who will protect our rights are confirmed to the bench. The Justice Program also leads a complementary and coordinated campaign to educate the public about why our federal and state supreme courts matter. We also promote structural and policy reforms to ensure our courts provide equal justice under the law;

AFJ Action promotes a national conversation about the importance of the courts by educating and mobilizing progressive advocates and voters. We educate voters and encourage them to fight for judges who will protect our rights. AFJ Action also holds elected leaders accountable for the judges they appoint to the bench. We conduct research and arm advocates, elected officials, political leaders, and the media with the tools to elevate the courts during elections.

The Federal Research and Advocacy Director will have experience relating to the broad range of legal policy issues handled by AFJ and will report to the Justice Program Director.

Job Purpose:

The federal courts are critical to our justice system. They have jurisdiction over all our federal regulations and civil rights protections and have broad impact due to their national reach. They are also an important safeguard for civil rights when the states don’t work to protect them. Yet the conservative legal movement has led a decades-long effort to stack the courts with judges who favor the interests of the rich and powerful over the rights of all of us. It has never been more important to educate the public about who sits on these courts and how we can hold them accountable.

AFJ and AFJ Action are committed to defending the integrity and independence of our federal courts with as much vigor as they defend us. Since 1979, AFJ and AFJ Action have been leading on federal court issues. AFJ educates the public about judicial appointments and advocates for the appointment of judges committed to equal justice. AFJ also co-leads a coalition of progressive organizations dedicated to ensuring that our federal courts are filled with demographically and professionally diverse judges of the highest caliber committed to upholding and expanding our rights and democracy.

The Federal Research and Advocacy Director will oversee AFJ and AFJ Action’s work to develop advocacy-oriented research that supports a rights-expansive judiciary; to lead a research team who advance advocacy efforts; to research and write reports on federal judicial nominees and some executive nominees; to research and write about major cases in the federal courts and trends in judicial philosophy and judicial nominees; to leverage research to raise awareness about the importance of the federal judiciary; to expand AFJ’s relationships and networks to ensure research is utilized by the Hill, AFJ members, partners, and stakeholders; and to directly engage in federal court confirmation campaigns.

Duties and Responsibilities:

The Federal Research and Advocacy Director will be familiar with the landscape of federal judicial selection and will ideally have direct experience engaging in judicial selection advocacy and research. As a member of the Justice Program’s leadership team, the position will help plan research and advocacy that advances organizational and team goals. The person serving in this position will:

• • Develop strategy and set an advocacy-oriented research agenda in service of AFJ and AFJ Action’s program priorities promoting the importance of federal courts and the judges and justices who sit on them.
  • Direct AFJ and AFJ Action’s advocacy related to federal courts – including campaigns to support or oppose particular nominees – and manage staff to execute program priorities.
  • Serve as AFJ’s lead federal advocate, leveraging research to drive Hill strategy.
  • Oversee research-based materials development, working with Communications, Outreach, and other AFJ and AFJ Action teams, for all AFJ and AFJ Action projects related to the federal courts. Substantive materials include reports, vetting documents, hill memos, op-eds, blog posts, fact sheets, polling, and other materials for grassroots and voter education, media, and other audiences for our programs and campaigns.
  • Manage (including hiring, supervision, discipline, and firing) federal courts staff, currently comprised of two two-year fellows, ensuring staff is empowered and supported in meeting team and organizational goals as well as growing in their responsibilities and maximizing professional development.
  • Identify trends and opportunities in the federal courts landscape to make the greatest impact; devise and oversee research campaigns, including coordination with law firms, outside counsel, law students, and non-attorney volunteers.
  • Represent AFJ and AFJ Action to other organizations as part of coalitions on issues related to federal courts.
  • Serve as a thought partner for and, at times, assist the State Courts Director and Building the Bench Director with strategy, goals, and priorities for candidate research, pre-appointment and confirmation advocacy, and shared research priorities to highlight trends across state and federal courts, prioritizing building support for demographically and professionally diverse movement lawyers on the bench.
  • Maintain public facing research and campaign content such as online federal nominee and vacancy tracking materials, and AFJ Action federal courts content to ensure materials are timely and accurate.
  • Work with Outreach team to strengthen and expand AFJ and AFJ Action’s engagement with organizations and individuals in key states for federal judicial nominations work.
  • Speak at legal and policy conferences, serve as a media surrogate on behalf of AFJ and AFJ Action, and brief policymakers, academics, member organizations, and other audiences on all issues related to federal courts.
  • Lead, working across Outreach and Comms teams, convenings, strategy sessions, and coalitions of national and state-based progressive groups engaged on the federal courts.
  • Work with the development, and executive teams to secure funding for AFJ and AFJ Action federal court programs, including assisting with grant reports and proposals.
  • Advise the Justice Program Director, VP of Strategy, and AFJ President on all issues related to the federal courts and help prepare AFJ President for public appearances.
  • Help develop and regularly report on the progress that the federal courts team has made towards key performance indicators and implementing AFJ’s strategic plan.
  • Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• • J.D. and 8+ plus years of experience in legal policy or legal advocacy work preferred.
  • Familiarity with the landscape of federal judicial selection, with experience in campaign advocacy and management is strongly preferred.
  • Strong experience directing research to support advocacy, especially legal and candidate opposition research, with exceptional analytical, writing, and speaking skills.
  • Staff management experience, including hiring, supervising and supporting staff to achieve outcome-oriented results, strong delegation skills, and supporting professional development.
  • Experience working on or closely with decision-makers on the Hill
  • Strong project or campaign management experience, with demonstrated ability to prioritize and keep multiple projects on track.
  • Experience leading work in coalition and partnerships, with familiarity with the progressive nonprofit sector.
  • Solid understanding of nonprofit organization operations (including the difference between c3 and c4 appropriate activities).
  • Demonstrated experience breaking down legal topics to non-legal audiences.
  • Meticulous eye to detail to ensure high quality, accurate research and final products.
  • Experience with funders or fundraising and grant writing preferred.
  • Experience with media and public appearances preferred.
  • Experience in civil rights, labor, environmental, consumer and/or constitutional legal movements preferred.
  • Ability to work quickly under pressure, with shifting deadlines and priorities.
  • Long hours and some travel required.
  • Ability to inspire and work collegially with others.
  • Strong interpersonal skills and positive attitude.

Alliance for Justice provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Compensation and Benefits:

The starting salary range for candidates with the above qualifications is $125,000-$131,000. AFJ also offers a comprehensive and generous benefits program:

Health – We offer medical, dental, vision benefits, as well an employee assistance program for physical and mental well-being.

Savings – Save for retirement with our 401K plan with employer matching. Health savings account and flexible spending account. Other insurances include life and disability.

Time Off – We have a generous paid time off policy. Vacation: 21 days per year. Sick: 10 days per year. Bereavement: Employees 3 days per year for deaths in the immediate family (spouse, mother, father, sister, brother, grandmother, etc.).

Family – We provide up to 12 weeks paid family leave.

Structure – This is an exempt position with at least two direct reports including, but not limited to, two 2-year fellows.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work – This is a full-time position. Days and hours of work are Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Physical Demands – This position requires the ability to travel domestically and work long hours when needed. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms.

Racial Equity – Our employees share our commitment to increasing racial diversity in our movement and organization, integrating justice and equity into the work we do and ensuring an inclusive organizational culture.

Other Duties – Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this position. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Job Location – This position is based in our Washington, DC office. AFJ is currently on a hybrid work schedule with one required day a week in the office.

How to Apply – Qualified applicants please reference Federal Research and Advocacy Director in your subject line and submit a letter of interest, resume and writing sample at https://www.afj.org/about/careers/ (NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE).

AFJ/AFJAC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. AFJ/AFJAC prohibits discrimination against its employees and applicants for employment based on race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, gender identity, religion, reprisal, sero-status and where applicable, political beliefs, marital status, familial or parental status, sexual orientation, or income.

Disclaimer – This description is intended to provide an overview of this position and is not all-inclusive. The incumbent in this position will be expected to perform other duties as required. Responsibilities may change over time. This description is provided for informational purposes only and does not form the basis of a contract.

If you require reasonable accommodations during any part of the hiring process,

please email alicia.peyton@afj.org.