Director, Special Justice Initiatives

Alliance for Justice (AFJ) is seeking a counsel with 7+ years of experience to serve in the newly created role of Director of Special Justice Initiatives.  In this role, the director will oversee strategic implementation, external partner management and operational decisions as they impact the goals and outcomes of AFJ’s new signature initiative Building the Bench (BtB), as well as play a key role in the strategic development and implementation of other initiatives in the justice arena. The recently launched BtB is designed to develop a pool of highly-qualified federal judicial nominees to put forward for the next administration, as well as lead a complementary and coordinated campaign to highlight the importance of filling vacancies. 

Responsibilities:

The Director, Special Justice Initiatives will report to the Vice President of Programs and Operations and will be responsible for the following:

• Set strategies, identify geographic priorities, and develop a two-year work plan for BtB and other new justice program initiatives;
• Identify potential vacancies and identify and research potential qualified candidates for the BtB pipeline;
• Oversee the research of potential nominees, including in coordination with law firms, initiative partners, outside counsel, and volunteers;
• Work with the Director of Justice, Director of Communications, and Senior Management to draft, review, and edit press and collateral materials for BtB, including fact sheets, blogs, web presence, social media, press, and reports;
• Coordinate and staff key meetings with Congressional offices in coordination with the  Director of Justice;
• Liaise with partner groups, nominations coalition, AFJ members, and other thought-leaders;
• Work with the Directors of Justice and Outreach and other staff to build relationships with legal and allied organizations;
• Work with AFJ’s networks of attorneys and legal community leaders, as sources of referrals or potential candidates;
• Speak at legal and policy conferences, and brief academics, congressional staff, Board of Directors, member organizations, and other audiences on BtB and other initiatives;
• Work with Development and Executive staff to ensure sufficient funding for the Initiative;
• Recruit and hire other team members as necessary;
• Serve as primary liaison with the BtB Advisory Council; and
• Other duties as assigned.

  Qualifications:

• J.D. and 7+ years of experience in legal, policy or advocacy work;
• Experience in civil rights, labor, consumer and/or constitutional law preferred;
• Strong networking experience with progressive coalitions;
• Ability to work quickly and independently under pressure, with shifting deadlines and priorities;
• Experience managing staff across various geographies and issue areas;

• Capacity to manage multiple long- and short-term projects/programs;
• Strong attention to detail and ability to multitask;
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of all work products and discussions related to AFJ’s work;
• Hill experience desirable;

• Ability to inspire and work collegially with others;
• Passion for civil rights, social justice, and judicial advocacy; and
• Strong interpersonal skills and positive attitude.

  Organization:

  AFJ is a national association of more than 130 organizations dedicated to advancing justice and democracy. For nearly 40 years we have been leaders in the fight for a more equitable society on behalf of a broad constituency of environmental, consumer, civil and women’s rights, LGTBQ, immigrant, disability, and other groups. AFJ is premised on the belief that all Americans have the right to secure justice in the courts and to have their voices heard when government makes decisions that affect their lives.