Deputy Director, Voting Rights Program
Classification: Full-time, Administrative and Professional Staff, Exempt Position
Advancement Project’s National Office seeks a strategic and creative attorney, strong community advocate, and an experienced and innovative project leader to serve as Deputy Director for its Power & Democracy Program, which includes the organization’s Voter Protection Program and Right to Vote initiatives. This position is based in Advancement Project’s National Office in Washington DC, and executes program plan initiatives under the supervision of the Power & Democracy Program Director
Advancement Project is a next generation, multiracial civil rights organization. Rooted in the great human rights struggles for equality and justice, we exist to fulfill America’s promise of a caring, inclusive, and just democracy. We use innovative tools and strategies in conjunction with strong community alliances to strengthen social movements and achieve high impact policy change. We combine law, communications, policy and technology to create workable solutions and achieve systemic change. We change the national discourse on race to provide opportunities for breakthroughs on racism. We aim to inspire and strengthen movements that expand opportunity for all.
DESCRIPTION OF ROLE
The Deputy Director of the Power & Democracy Program assists in leading a dedicated team of professionals from multiple disciplines working to advance the right to vote and the power of the people to advance change through movement building in order to expand the electorate, stimulate civic participation, form community partnerships and build power in communities of color. Grounded in the powerful history of the struggle for voting rights at the community level, our Power & Democracy program works to overcome racially discriminatory voting provisions and to advocate for a fundamental right to vote. We do this by working with our partners to build a voting rights movement based on equal access to the ballot, eliminating the consequences of mass incarceration to our democracy and other systemic barriers to power. The Power & Democracy program includes our Voter Protection Program (which works to dismantle barriers to the ballot and increase meaningful participation in communities of color), and our Right to Vote Initiative (a pro-active effort to foster a pro-democracy movement by advancing an explicit and affirmative right to vote).
Advancement Project is a nationally recognized cutting-edge leader in advancing voter protection strategies rooted in civil rights movement building focused on building power in communities of color. Through state and local campaigns with grassroots partners, we have advocated pro-active voting reforms, fought numerous barriers to the ballot and uplifted civic engagement strategies. The Deputy Director will work closely with the Director of the Program to supervise staff, build relationships and engage with partners at local, state and national levels. This position will use a variety of legal, legislative, policy, communications, organizing and coalition-building strategies to assist our community partners in combatting barriers to the ballot, advancing an affirmative right to vote and promoting civic engagement in order to build power in communities of color.
Description of Duties
STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT
Assist in the management of the Power & Democracy team.
Disseminate and use management tools and resources to ensure goals are accomplished.
With the Director of the program, develop and implement national strategies and narratives to build public will for an affirmative right to vote and to dismantle barriers to full access to the ballot.
Manage implementation of local and state-level advocacy efforts in partnership with community-based organizations across the country as well as with national partners.
Cultivate and manage strategic multiracial relationships, coalitions, and partnerships with stakeholders to build power in communities of color and create a diverse constituency of support.
Work in collaboration with management to create project goals and work plans that create systemic change and deliver impact.
Utilize metrics and reporting to track progress towards goals, and to keep the leadership team apprised of successes and challenges.
Work collaboratively with the Program Director, the Executive Director, leadership team and project staff to develop plans and articulate goals/objectives related to the program’s goals initiatives.
Assist the Development Department with reporting related to Program initiatives.
Seek and participate in external events, speaking engagements, media requests, and networking opportunities
LEGAL & POLICY
Lead creative and innovative legislative and legal strategy and advocacy, including litigation where appropriate.
Research state laws, policies, practices and procedures that impact the right to vote for communities of color and marginalized communities. Craft and undertake strategic efforts to combat barriers to the ballot and advance pro-active voter reforms, including crafting cross-issue links between democracy reforms and power building efforts in communities of color.
Assist Director and other Program/Project Directors cross functionally in managing cross-programmatic strategic collaborations, investigations and litigation respective to other internal programs/projects.
COMMUNICATIONS
Persuasively articulate the mission, goals and program/project priorities of Advancement Project’s national office in written and oral presentations. Raise the visibility of the program through participation in panels, presentations, and media.
Develop presentation materials, including research, slides, scripts, talking points and proposal collateral for prospect meetings.
Work in collaboration with communications team to develop and align strategic messaging, including assisting in drafting and review of media releases, white papers, talking points, advocacy materials and op-ed’s; responding to media requests; and coordinating with partners and spokespeople on the ground.
Review written work product to ensure the consistent production of high quality work and advocacy materials.
ADMINISTRATION
Assist the Program Director in supervising team members to ensure execution of work, provide timely feedback and support growth of members.
Foster individual and team member growth and promote team goals/objectives through regular check-ins with team members.
Assist the Program Director in evaluation of team member performance.
Make recommendations regarding staffing and resource needs.
Maintain collegial work relationships across the organization.
Periodically supervise interns and/or volunteer staff.
Represent project as a member of various internal organizational committees.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- A demonstrated commitment to racial and social justice required.
- Juris Doctorate required with state bar membership or ability to waive into the DC Bar.
- Five or more years relevant post JD experience with at least three years of litigation experience, policy analysis, and legislative advocacy in the area of voting rights and/or civil rights law required.
- Knowledge of legal and policy issues surrounding voting rights.
- Supervisory experience including mentoring and training junior staff.
- Prior experience working with grassroots organizations and/or in non-profit environments required; specific organizing and advocacy experience preferred.
- Track record of getting results, handling a heavy workload, working under tight deadlines, and developing strong working relationships with and among partners.
- Prior project management experience is desirable.
- Must possess strong interpersonal, research, analytical and writing skills.
- Excellent written and oral communications skills.
- Previous work in a cross-functional or matrix team environment strongly preferred.
- Willingness to travel on a reoccurring basis required.
TOTAL REWARDS
Salary commensurate with experience. Generous benefits package included.
HOW TO APPLY
Interested applicants should submit a cover letter with salary expectations, their resume, two writing samples, and a list of three references to [email protected]. Reference “Deputy Director, Power & Democracy Program” in the subject line.
Advancement Project is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer