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Director, Justice Program
Brennan Center for Justice
Description
The Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law seeks a new leader for its Justice Program, one of two key programmatic divisions. The Director guides the Center's work to promote racial justice, advance representation of the poor in our civil and criminal justice systems, advocate for economic justice policies, and strengthen Constitutional protections in the fight against terrorism. This job is an outstanding opportunity for a strategic team player with vision, energy, a zest for leadership, and a keen understanding of how high quality work can bring significant and enduring social change. The Brennan Center is a nonpartisan public policy and law institute that focuses on fundamental issues of justice and democracy. A singular institution - part think tank, part public interest law firm, part advocacy group - the Brennan Center combines scholarship, legislative and legal advocacy, and communications to win meaningful, measurable change in the public sector. We were founded by the clerks and family of the late Supreme Court Justice William J. Brennan, Jr., and are devoted to his vision of "human dignity."
The Justice Program currently has a budget of over $2 million and a staff of nine attorneys, researchers, and support staff. For more information about the Brennan Center and recent highlights of the Justice Program's work, see: http://www.brennancenter.org/content/section/category/justice/
THE ROLE
The Director of the Justice Program sets the direction and manages the staff of the program, in partnership with the leadership of the Brennan Center. The goal: to build on current strengths while forging new, focused issue campaigns to win key state and federal policy goals. The Director reports directly to Michael Waldman, Executive Director of the Brennan Center; serves as a key member of the Center's senior management team; and has opportunities to work closely with the Board of Directors. Key tasks include:
-Set the vision for the Program to forge an ambitious, energetic drive to expand justice in the United States. The Director will develop and implement a plan that builds on existing program strengths and identifies priorities, articulates clear benchmarks, and maps out strategic next steps, working closely with the Executive Director, senior managers, and program staff. Working with our Communications staff, the director will advance advocacy efforts to target key decision makers and the public.
-Help shape and supervise the work of the Brennan Center's Washington, D.C. office.
-Play a lead role pursuing substantive priorities. Responsibilities may include litigation, lobbying, policy development and advocacy, writing for a popular or expert audience, media interviews and public speaking. The position offers a high profile national platform as an advocate for racial justice and reform of the justice system.
-Manage the Justice Program team to succeed in fulfilling their mission. The Director will lead and supervise the Program's highly talented staff, inspiring and supporting them in their work and help the Brennan Center overall to create a workplace culture based on mutual respect and teamwork. In addition, the Director will prioritize training and professional development.
-Build upon existing relationships and form new partnerships with peer organizations as well as other civil rights, advocacy and grassroots organizations. The Director will strengthen relationships with current allies, work with public sector officials, and expand coalitions with the civil rights community, social justice and policy reform organizations, civil legal aid attorneys, public defenders, prosecutors, clergy, pro bono attorneys, the organized bar, business, unions, and other potential allies across the political spectrum.
-Secure funding for program work. The Director of the Justice Program will work closely with the Development Department to cultivate relationships with current supporters, reach out to individual donors, and build upon the Center's base of foundation support.
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
The ideal candidate will have many of the following professional experiences and personal characteristics:
-A passionate, demonstrated commitment to the goals and principles of the Brennan Center and a broad knowledge of the Justice Program's substantive areas.
-A management style that respects and builds on the independence and capacities of others, encourages input and feedback, inspires trust, and motivates staff members at all levels to work together in new and effective ways.
-A law degree with expertise and significant experience in litigation and/or policy reform efforts.
-Superb written and oral communication skills. Experience operating effectively with the media and making public presentations.
-A demonstrated commitment to recruiting, retaining and training a diverse, talented staff, as well as a track record in providing quality professional development opportunities for staff members.
-Success conducting and managing litigation and/or working with legislatures to achieve policy change.
-An understanding of the power of linking research and litigation with a strong communications program.
-Strong interpersonal skills, an ability to navigate differences of opinion with grace and humility, a positive approach to problem solving, and a sense of humor.
-Respect by and for the advocacy, academic, research, governmental, legal, and pro bono communities. A willingness to engage in fundraising efforts with major individual donors and foundations.
The Brennan Center, an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer, is strongly committed to diversity and welcomes applicants of all races, ethnicities, genders, and sexual orientations, including people who have been previously incarcerated.
HowTo Apply:
Please upload, as one document, a cover letter, resume, two writing samples (up to 10 pages each), and contact information for three references at http://brennancenter.theresuma tor.com/apply/K3a336/Director- Justice- Program.html/source:citylimits . If you have difficulty with the online system, you may send your application by e- mail to: brennancenterjobs@nyu.edu with "Justice Program Director" in the subject line, after registering in the online system. The deadline for applications is October 15, 2010.
