Director, Policy

The National Legal Aid & Defender Association (NLADA), founded in 1911, is America’s oldest and largest nonprofit association devoted to excellence in delivering legal services to those who cannot afford counsel. For 100 years, NLADA has pioneered access to justice at the national, state, and local level through our work on access to justice for criminal and civil matters. Our work has influenced the creation of groundbreaking legislation and institutions, from the Sentencing Project to the Legal Services Corporation. A leader in developing national standards for indigent defense services, NLADA also provides advocacy, training, and technical assistance to indigent defense programs nationwide. 

Summary: The Policy Director reports to the Vice President, Civil Legal Services & Strategic Policy Initiatives and leads the Association’s development and implementation of advocacy strategies for policies that advance equity in access to justice and fair treatment in the civil and criminal legal systems, and by cultivating and mobilizing support for these policies. Achievement of NLADA’s policy and government relations objectives requires the capacity to create and administer strategies designed to identify and successfully pursue NLADA’s policy priorities, and the development of materials, resources, and protocols, to advance equity and justice in the civil and criminal legal systems. The Policy Director is responsible for implementing and promoting NLADA’s policy agenda within federal, state, local and tribal government entities, and other legal system reform arenas. This position is a member of NLADA’s Leadership Team and is critical to the implementation of the mission and vision of NLADA.

Salary: Salary range is $100,000 - $120,000.00, commensurate with experience, expertise, and other qualifying factors. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Leads the policy team in designing and implementing campaigns, projects, and other strategies through an equity lens to advance NLADA’s institutional goals and strategic objectives, and lobbies to advance these objectives.
• Leads and oversees relationship building, engagement and contacts with important players in the federal government, including on Capitol Hill, and in the executive and the judiciary; at peer organizations; and at the state, local and tribal levels;
• Leads and oversees development, maintenance, and engagement of NLADA’s grassroots network and strategic partnerships with NLADA’s wide array of partners, including business leaders and peer organizations aligned with NLADA’s goals and objectives;
• Leads the development of evidence-based materials to support advocacy efforts, including: research reports and summaries, policy statements, fact sheets, and talking points on core issues;
• Leads efforts to inform and provide substantive input to NLADA members, stakeholders, and peer organizations on policy matters, proactively identifying issues that intersect in both civil/defender spaces;
• Contributes to the development of NLADA’s policy agenda with an eye toward maximizing impact, and representative of the highest standard of NLADA’s vision of racial equity and equal justice
• Contributes to the policy team’s development of subject matter expertise, and expertise and engagement on legislative and administrative proposals relevant to NLADA’s community and policy agenda, including informing, reviewing, and drafting these proposals;
• Serves as an expert and resource to press and other media regarding NLADA policy priorities;
• Designs and delivers substantive programming for NLADA’s training events, including topical webinars, on-demand courses, and in-person trainings and conferences;
• Participates as an integral leader of NLADA’s policy team, supporting the team’s activities and initiatives, and advancing its objectives.

Financial Leadership

• Works with the Vice President, Civil Legal Services & Strategic Policy Initiatives and Vice President, External Relations to pursue grant and contract opportunities with outside funding sources.

Strategic Partnerships

Within Association

• Cultivates and pursues opportunities to support NLADA leadership, including members of NLADA’s Civil, Client/Community Advocate, and Defender Councils, and state/local/tribal member-leaders by highlighting their efforts and elevating their experiences and voices;
• Works with Communications Department to support effective social and other media strategies and outreach;

• Provides expertise and serves as a staff lead to NLADA sections;
• Staff relevant NLADA governance entities, including its Councils and their committees, and provide expertise regarding NLADA’s government relations activities.

Outside of the Association

• Develops and cultivates contacts with executives from NLADA’s membership; representatives from federal agencies; foundation and corporate personnel; law firm representatives; and contributors;
• Develops collaborations with representatives of allied organizations;
• Serves as a leading representative for NLADA and its membership in coalitions and with strategic allies;
• Maintains strategic and effective communications that represent the highest standard of NLADA’s vision of racial equity and justice.

Performs additional responsibilities as needed.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in public policy, social sciences, or related field required.
• Minimum five to ten years of progressive experience in Congress, executive agencies, and/or government affairs; experience in the civil and criminal justice fields a plus;
• Experience in legislative research and advocacy;
• Knowledge of issues and laws pertaining to the delivery of civil legal aid and public defense, and how the civil and criminal legal systems affect low-income and marginalized individuals and communities preferred;
• Excellent communication, collaboration, interpersonal and problem-solving skills.
• Must be able to work in a fast-paced environment with demonstrated ability to juggle   multiple competing tasks and demands;
• Must have experience in collecting, analyzing, and organizing data and producing reports
• Must have demonstrated ability to work both independently and in collaborative teams;
• Must be a highly motivated, self-starter;
• Must be able to effectively work under pressure and within tight deadlines;
• Must be a dependable, detail-oriented individual;
• Must have a demonstrated commitment to leadership development and diversity
• Must be proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint & Outlook).
• Must have a passionate commitment to NLADA’s vision and mission.
• Ability and willingness to work in a hybrid work environment.
• Must be able and willing to periodically travel.

How We Support Staff

• Free individual Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance for employee coverage, reduced rates for family coverage, and a health care Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Paid time off, to include recognition of all federal holidays, personal days off, and is closed the week between December 24th and January 1st
• Employer-provided life insurance, Short-Term and Long-term disability benefits
• Wellness support, to include paid sick leave, and Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• 403(b) Retirement Plan

Work Environment: This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, copy machines, and filing cabinets. 

Physical Demands: Constantly stationary; occasionally requires moving about the office and frequently to attend meetings. Constantly operates a computer and other office productivity machinery. Frequently communicates and exchanges information. Seldom requires lifting of up to 10 pounds. 

Position Type and Work Hours:  This is a full-time role, typically Mon-Fri, 7.5 hours per day; must be able to work longer hours and on weekends, as necessary. Occasional local and/or domestic travel. This is a hybrid position, requiring 1-2 days per week in the DC office for staff who are based in the Washington, DC, or DMV area.

NLADA is committed to fair employment practices and equal employment opportunity regardless of age, ancestry, citizenship, color, creed, ethnicity, family-care status, gender identity (including characteristics and/or expression), marital status, matriculation at a college, medical condition (including HIV/AIDS), chronic illness, pregnancy, childbirth (or other related medical conditions), membership in a labor union or union activities covered by the Act, mental disability, national origin, personal appearance, height and weight, physical disability, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation and veteran status. 

NLADA complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact Human Resources.