Deputy Director & Chief Advocacy Officer

The National Consumer Law Center is hiring a Deputy Director & Chief Advocacy Officer to lead our talented advocacy team.

The Deputy Director & Chief Advocacy Officer will assist the Executive Director in the overall management of the Center. The position will work in collaboration with the board, senior management, and staff to develop and implement key organizational strategies and programs.

In overseeing the work of a talented and dedicated 30-member advocacy staff, the Deputy Director & Chief Advocacy Officer will help ensure that the Center’s advocacy is benefiting the low-income and other vulnerable communities served by the organization. The Deputy Director helps to ensure that NCLC’s expertise is used to maximum effect, that its policy positions are coordinated and consistent, and that its work is of the highest quality. The position is responsible for the overall staffing structure of the advocacy staff and related workflows and processes and project management.

In addition, the Deputy Director & Chief Advocacy Officer plays a key role coordinating with other NCLC teams to ensure that organizational goals and commitments are met, including with development, finance, communications, publications, operations, and human resources staff. The Deputy Director & Chief Advocacy Officer also provides key input into decisions regarding internal personnel policies, the shaping of new advocacy staff openings, the hiring of advocates, work groups’ plans and proposals for their work, and the allocation of advocacy staff time to various lines of work.

The Deputy Director & Chief Advocacy Officer plays an important supervisory role in the organization. Direct reports include the Associate Director, the Co-Directors of Advocacy, the Director of Litigation, and several other senior attorneys. There may be an opportunity to engage in a limited amount of substantive consumer law advocacy for candidates with relevant skills and experience.

The Deputy Director & Chief Advocacy Officer will be expected to forge a strong working relationship with the Executive Director and other members of the senior management team. The position will be based in NCLC’s Boston headquarters. The Deputy Director & Chief Advocacy Officer will be expected to stand in for the Executive Director if and when necessary. It is a hybrid position, with a minimum requirement of three days per week in the Boston office. Periodic travel will be required for meetings and conferences.

Key Responsibilities

Organizational Strategy & Leadership

• Work in collaboration with the board, senior management, and staff to develop and implement organizational strategies and programs.
• Ensure work is aligned and coordinated across the organization; foster productive collaboration.
• Serve as an effective representative and spokesperson for the organization with external audiences.
• Develop and implement organizational policies that promote staff cohesion and effectiveness.
• Identify organizational challenges and help develop constructive and effective solutions.
• Engage in regular communication (formal and informal) with NCLC staff, management, and board of directors.
• Act in place of the Executive Director when necessary.
• Promote a diverse, inclusive, and equal opportunity work environment.

Program Management and Supervision

• Oversee advocacy and litigation programs and work on grants, contracts, and publications including assigning and directing work; evaluating performance; and delivering timely and constructive feedback.
• Continually evaluate program activities.
• Help develop and manage priority-setting processes for advocacy work.
• Review or supervise review of written advocacy materials and ensure policy positions are consistent and align with organizational priorities.
• Foster a positive and collaborative working environment, promote staff professional development, and provide performance feedback and coaching as appropriate.
• Develop and implement staffing plans to align staff expertise and capabilities with responsibilities and to achieve program goals and objectives.
• Identify and shape new advocacy staff positions when appropriate and participate in hiring decisions for new advocacy staff.
• Work closely with the finance team to budget and monitor program operations to ensure sound fiscal and system management.
• Work closely with the publications team to develop and oversee systems that ensure the continued high quality and effectiveness of NCLC’s publications.
• Work closely with the development team to shape funding proposals.
• Supervise a limited number of senior members of the advocacy staff.
• The Deputy Director & Chief Advocacy Officer may also have the opportunity to contribute on a limited basis to one or more substantive advocacy projects such as agency comments, reports, or practice manuals.

Qualifications

• A proven track record of leadership, including building and managing effective teams in a nonprofit or other public interest organization. Experience supervising hybrid/remote teams preferred.
• A strategic mindset and ability to connect programs to organizational goals and outcomes.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, make timely decisions, and advise staff on multiple projects, priorities, and deadlines while providing timely and comprehensive feedback.
• Demonstrated ability to supervise and mentor senior staff members and to deliver timely and constructive feedback on work performance.
• Demonstrated commitment to advancing diversity and equity, and to fostering an inclusive work environment.
• Strong legal and analytical skills, especially in the areas of complex policy issues. Outstanding communication skills, including effective and persuasive writing, public speaking and interpersonal skills.
• The ability to be flexible, collaborative, diplomatic, and proactive and to work with staff throughout the organization. Careful attention to detail.
• A demonstrated commitment to advocating for equity for low-income and other economically disadvantaged people, including Black, Indigenous, and people of color.
• At least 15 years of professional experience and at least 7 years of supervisory experience.
• A law degree is required and expertise in consumer issues is strongly preferred.

The National Consumer Law Center is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer, and encourages applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability or veteran status, or to other non-work-related factors.