Senior Supervising Policy Counsel

The Roger Baldwin Foundation of ACLU, Inc. (“ACLU of Illinois”) seeks a Senior Supervising Policy Counsel to develop and lead policy and advocacy efforts resulting in transformational changes across several substantive program areas.

Reporting to the Advocacy and Intergovernmental Affairs Director, this newly created Senior Supervising Policy Counsel is part of the Advocacy Department and will work collaboratively with Advocacy team members and with other Departments to protect and expand rights and access through state and local policy, legislation, and administrative actions. This position will supervise and support select staff, fellows, and interns engaged in policy, legislative, and administrative advocacy work.

This role has a hybrid work schedule that combines remote and in-office work. The position is based in Chicago and works in the ACLU of Illinois Chicago office when in-person. It is a full-time, exempt supervisory position.

Job Responsibilities:

The Senior Supervising Policy Counsel will help to develop, lead and implement the
ACLU-IL’s legislative, policy and advocacy priorities through the following job responsibilities:

• Provide effective senior-level guidance, supervision and management to early and mid-career attorneys and Advocacy staff, including policy and advocacy strategists, policy counsel, fellows, and interns, including primary and direct responsibility for  assigning, directing, and overseeing day-to-day work, transferring or modifying job assignments as needed, and evaluating work performance, and overseeing and directing professional development, as well as participating in decisions concerning hiring, promotion, discipline, and/or separation of employment Identify opportunities to advance civil liberties and civil rights in complex policy areas through multiple non-litigation methods at the state and local levels
• Provide expertise, including verbal and written policy, legislative or legal analysis, and tactical suggestions, to a wide range of internal and external stakeholders
• Independently analyze and draft bills, administrative rules/regulations and comments at the state or local levels Prepare and provide expert-level guidance and testimony on pending legislation before state and local legislative committees and administrative agencies and other regulatory bodies
• Conduct in-depth civil liberties briefings for government officials to advance priority ACLU of Illinois positions
• Work with other ACLU affiliates on advocacy efforts in furtherance of policy outcomes, as needed
• Participate as an ACLU of Illinois representative in meetings, task forces, working groups and coalitions
• Provide expert commentary to media, participate in media briefings, and contribute to op-eds and other relevant publications
• Build and maintain trusted, respectful and collaborative relationships with stakeholders, including but not limited to: people impacted by our work, community members and leaders, coalitions, allied organizations, issue experts, legislative staff, government officials, and elected officials
• Lobby elected officials, their staff, and other public officials to support ACLU of Illinois positions on pending legislation and policy initiatives Engage in special projects and other duties as assigned  The Senior Supervising Policy Counsel will be required to work proactively and responsively, often including evenings and weekends, while the Illinois General Assembly is in Session. This includes most weeks from January through May, for two weeks in the Fall Veto Session, and in January of election years for Lame Duck Session 

Experience & Qualifications:

• Law degree required; demonstrated expertise in constitutional law is a plus
• At least 8 years of experience working in legislative, political, policy, legal, or government settings
• Excellent research, writing, and analytical skills
• High degree of familiarity with public policy, legislative, and/or administrative processes preferred
• High level, substantive, and extensive experience in policy development
• Demonstrated ability to independently develop novel ideas and approaches to solving problems, in addition to sourcing existing policy ideas and approaches to civil liberties challenges
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects with competing deadlines on a tight timeline, while maintaining strong attention to detail
• Excellent interpersonal, relationship building and communication skills with a broad range of stakeholders including but not limited to: people impacted by our work, community members and leaders, coalitions, allied organizations, issue experts, legislative staff, government officials, and elected officials
• Proven ability to communicate complex legal and policy issues to a broad range of stakeholders
• Proven ability to work quickly and accurately
• Sophisticated judgment
• Experience giving advice and counsel to leadership, department and project staff
• Proven ability to work independently as well as within a team
• Experience supervising and managing volunteers, interns, fellows and/or staff
• Experience with media and serving as a spokesperson for an issue, campaign, or cause; ability to communicate complex policy issues to a general public and government decision-makers Commitment to the mission of the ACLU of Illinois

Salary and benefits:

Benefits include 20 days of paid vacation; 100% employer-paid medical, vision, and dental insurance for staff and eligible dependents; a 403(b) retirement benefits plan with employer match; life insurance; and long-term disability insurance. In accordance with the ACLU salary scale and commensurate with experience, the salary range is $115,000 to $140,000.

Job Application Statement:
The ACLU of Illinois is an equal-opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and encourage applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, or veteran status.

The ACLU is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you need assistance applying online, please email jobs@aclu-il.org If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request accommodation for the interview process.

How to apply:

Applicants should prepare the following:

• A resume.
• A cover letter addressing the following questions:

1. What are your experiences and qualifications for the Senior Supervising Policy Counsel position, including specific examples of developing legislative and policy options, executing strategic solutions, preparing and provide expert-level guidance, analysis and/or testimony on proposed legislation?
2. What aspects of your identity, if any, relate to your interest in working with the ACLU of Illinois to advance civil rights and civil liberties?

• A policy or legal writing sample that has not been substantially edited by others, such as examples of bill analysis, draft legislation, legal memorandum or your draft section of a legal brief.

Please email these materials to AdvocacyJobs@aclu-il.org and use the subject line “Senior Supervising Policy Counsel”. No calls or outreach via social media or other platforms, please. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.