Director, Policy

Founded in 1979, the National Immigration Law Center (NILC) is a leading non-profit organization (501(c)3) in the U.S. exclusively dedicated to defending and advancing the rights and opportunities of low-income immigrants and their loved ones. NILC’s mission is grounded in the belief that everyone living in the U.S. regardless of race, gender/gender identity, immigration status, or economic status – should have equal access to justice, resources, and educational and economic opportunities that enable them to achieve their full human potential. Together, NILC and the affiliated NILC Immigrant Justice Fund (IJF), a 501(c)4 organization, work to advocate more directly for federal immigration reform policies. NILC is committed to advancing its mission – which intersects race, immigration status, and class – through racial, economic, and gender justice and equity orientation.

Headquartered in Los Angeles with an office in Washington, DC, NILC seeks to achieve just laws and policies that address systemic inequities, create narrative and culture change for an inclusive and equitable society, and build a healthier and more powerful movement. For more information, please visit www.nilc.org. and www.immigrantjusticefund.org/

NILC is at an exciting moment in its organizational trajectory, supporting our five-year strategic framework and scaling the organization and its work through influencing systems, policy advocacy at the federal and state levels, engaging in movement and power building, and narrative and culture strategies in addition to continuous improvements to our operational model. We are looking for entrepreneurial, results-driven, relationship builders who are committed to NILC’s mission and values of racial justice & equity, valuing diversity, fostering partnerships & collaboration, encouraging respect & personal well-being, and striving for transparency, integrity, and honesty.

The Director, Policy (the Director) is an expert in developing, advancing, and implementing policy solutions to social justice problems. One of the three core strategies of NILC’s current strategic framework is to achieve progressive legal and policy reforms. As a vital part of NILC’s day-to-day work, the Director is heavily involved in the technical policy work within the matrix workgroup structure of the Programs Department by leading work and workgroup members. The Director, Policy supports the Executive Vice President, Programs & Strategy, the Vice President, Law & Policy, and other Directors across the Programs team to set the overall policy-related programs strategy. The Director, Policy works in close coordination with the Law, Strategic Partnerships & Advocacy, Strategic Communications, and Development teams, NILC’s Immigrant Justice Fund (501(c)(4), and other local and national partners to advance NILC’s policy goals. The Director, Policy will lead the execution of a robust policy strategy for immigrant justice that is people- and community-centered and grounded in intersectional rights and needs of low-income immigrants in the US. The Policy Director will drive and oversee a robust publications schedule of policy content ranging from the informal (e.g., blog posts or tweets) to the formal (e.g., white papers) to advance knowledge among stakeholders; educate and empower directly impacted individuals; support federal, state, and local advocacy; elevate awareness of NILC’s subject matter expertise; and/or generate media attention for NILC’s issues.

This role is not a member of the Bargaining Unit.

The Director, Policy will be responsible for providing leadership and driving success in the following key areas:

Specific Position Responsibilities

• Policy Strategy & Execution
• Support the Executive Vice President, Programs & Strategy and the Vice President, Law & Policy, in collaboration with the Vice President, Strategic Partnerships and Advocacy and the Vice President, Political Strategy to develop a strategic plan for the Programs Department, including campaigns and work groups, that implements and leverages the Strategic Framework.
• Oversee execution of policy strategies, providing guidance and support to campaign and project teams workgroups driving the work, in a way that integrates policy strategies with narrative change and movement power building.
• Serve as a subject matter expert in one or more policy areas for the organization.
• In partnership with the Communications, Legal, and Strategic Partnership and Advocacy teams, oversee the development and dissemination of content and materials supporting policy and advocacy efforts or providing key updates on our work to key legislators, legislative staff, government officials, advocacy groups, and other external stakeholders.
• Develop and maintain strong and collaborative relationships with key stakeholders, including movement partners, allies, donors, and board members to NILC’s priorities.
• Cultivate relationships with key stakeholders including policy leaders at sister organizations.
• In collaboration with other Programs team members, work in partnership with allied organizations, and identify and participate in strategic opportunities to advance NILC’s policy agenda; engage varied and diverse stakeholders and represent NILC in meetings before various community groups.
• Serve as a spokesperson with the media, present at national conferences, and other public speaking engagements that further NILC’s mission and policy strategies.
• Oversee Programs team members to research and develop policy materials, respond to administration initiatives and regulations, and provide relevant policy recommendations to key officials and legislators.

Management, Supervision, and Operations

• In partnership with functional area leadership, develop and oversee implementation of Policy strategic goals at the functional area, department, team, and individual levels.
• Oversee the management of the Policy team, including by advising on and making decisions in relation to employee work schedules, professional development, performance evaluations, work assignments, job rotation, training, vacations, expense approvals, work-related travel, paid time off, telecommuting, cover for absenteeism, and overtime scheduling.
• Collaborate with the Law, Strategic Partnerships & Advocacy, Strategic Communications, and Development teams to engage other parts of our team to effectively leverage the resources and talents across the organization.
• Assign Policy team staff members to appropriate workgroups, and provide guidance and support to workgroups and teams driving the work
• Ensure that all Programs team members understand the long-term vision for immigrants’ rights, NILC’s theory of change, and the relationship between that broader vision, NILC’s core strategies/levers of change, and their work.
• Manage the preparation and maintenance of reports necessary to carry out the functions of the department including periodic reports for the leadership teams, as necessary or requested, to track strategic goal accomplishment.
• Coordinate with, and assign staff to support, the Vice President, Political Strategy (IJF) to ensure that NILC’s advocacy work complements and reinforces NILC IJF’s 501(c)(4) electoral strategy.
• In coordination with and at the direction of their respective supervisors, and pursuant to the Human Resources’ department’s performance evaluation and professional development processes, share feedback on workgroup members’ performance, goals, strengths & weaknesses, and more to their respective supervisor to support the development of team members at all levels.
• In collaboration with other teams and workgroups that interact with the advocacy team, oversee the development of effective internal communication and project management systems and practices across teams and workgroups
• Support the activities of the Development Department, as needed
• May be a part of or lead cross functional/departmental projects using the MOCHA framework/methodology.

>

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Supports the recruitment, interviewing, and hiring of staff and oversees staff onboarding & training.
• Oversees the daily workflow of direct reports.
• Acts as a coach and mentor including providing constructive and timely feedback to foster a collaborative environment that develops strengths, improves weaknesses, and encourages creative and constructive problem-solving.
• Actively manages direct and indirect reports using applicable performance management software including documenting regular check-ins, goal progress, and any other relevant information in the system for performance and coaching purposes.
• Handles discipline and performance issues in accordance with organizational policy.
• Directly manages employees with possibility for additional staff.
• Manages outside consultants, third party administrators, and vendors.

Shared Organization Responsibilities

• Champions NILC & IJF’s mission of advancing the rights of immigrants with low income by demonstrating a commitment to human rights, and racial, economic, and social justice
• Attends and actively participates in NILC meetings at the organization, department, project, and individual level
• Develops relationships and supports NILC and IJF colleagues across all teams, recognizing that each individual brings a unique background and perspective to the work and assuming good intent from each other.
• Follows through on commitments acting with a clear sense of ownership individually and collectively by taking personal responsibility for decisions, actions, and failures, establishing clear responsibilities and processes for monitoring work and measuring results, and designing feedback loops into work.
• Learns quickly when facing new situations by experimenting to find fresh solutions, taking on the challenge of unfamiliar tasks, and extracting lessons learned from failures and mistakes.
• Acts with integrity by following through on commitments, being direct and truthful, keeping confidence, and showing consistency between words and actions.
• Commits to centering NILC’s values of racial justice & equity, valuing diversity, fostering partnerships & collaboration, encouraging respect & personal well-being, and striving for transparency, integrity, and honesty in all decisions and actions

In recognition of the fluidity of the work and ecosystem that NILC operates in, other duties may be assigned depending on organizational need.

>

What We’re Looking for in This Role

• Commitment to NILC & IJF’s mission of advancing the rights of immigrants with low income and a demonstrated commitment to human rights, racial, economic and social justice, and equity, diversity, inclusion, and justice for all.
• Collaborative, proactive, and action-oriented working style with a strong service mentality promoting mutual accountability and inspiriting trust and confidence from colleagues, other NILC team members, and NILC leaders alike.
• Demonstrates sound judgement in decision-making, high integrity, and utmost respect for confidentiality.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills: ability to read, analyze, and interpret as well as draft documents such as reports, correspondence, and presentations for various audiences.
• Self-starter with a strong strategic ability to move daily tasks forward in alignment with NILC’s broader organizational needs and goals.
• Proven ability to support cross-functional teams, a natural orientation towards collaboration, and experience bringing together diverse groups toward shared goals.
• Understanding of the legislative process, relationship-building with legislators and other allies, and other complex policy-related skills.
• Goal-oriented, project-oriented, and achievement-oriented, with an ability to recognize and maximize opportunities on behalf of the organization.
• Ability to consistently integrate deep understanding of key racial equity concepts into work projects and interactions by addressing structural implications and disproportionate impacts of policies, activities, and decisions on race, class, and other group identities within the context of job responsibilities and projects.
• Excellent writing and public-speaking skills, with the ability to make complex legal and advocacy issues accessible to all audiences.
• Capacity to make “hard choices” relating to organizational positions, coalition decisions, and allocations of resources among competing demands.
• Recognizes each team member’s unique background and perspective to achieve team goals in a positive and motivating working environment.
• Develops team through coaching, feedback, exposure and stretch assignments.
• An inclusive management style that places deep value on diverse perspectives and emphasizes the development and growth of team members and encourages learning and continued improvement.

Qualifications Required

• J.D., Ph.D., or master’s degree in public administration, Public Affairs, social sciences, or related field and significant and relevant experience working policy research and analysis.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in legislative process, policy, research, drafting, and publications and 4+ years of people management experience.
• Expertise authoring or co-authoring range of policy materials, including but not limited to policy reports, fact sheets, and/or white papers.
• Experience working collaboratively and building alliances with diverse stakeholders such as immigrant community leaders, advocates, and policymakers from national, state, and local organizations, philanthropy, media, and others.
• Experience working with activists, grassroots groups and other non-governmental organizations.
• Demonstrated ability to adapt to changing priorities, strategies, and circumstances.
• Proficiency with in-office and virtual environments and software such as MS Office, internet research, and virtual collaboration tools.

Preferred Qualifications

• Expertise in in immigration, health and economic supports, workers’ rights, and/or education policy impacting low-income immigrants strongly preferred.
• Proficiency in non-English languages spoken by Latinx, Asian, Pacific Islander, African, Caribbean, and Arab communities preferred. Fluency in more than one language is desirable.

At NILC, we know that talented people may have different backgrounds or experiences, and if your education and experience doesn’t exactly align with the above that’s okay! NILC believes that diversity in all dimensions of the organization supports and bolsters the innovative thinking essential to its success and is committed to providing equal employment opportunity to all qualified applicants. NILC’s goal is for our people to reflect the communities in which we live and serve and to ensure representation of people of color, women, veterans, and individuals with disabilities in our organization. We encourage you to apply and let us know in your cover letter why you are qualified and the right fit for this role and NILC.

>

Work Environment

• Location & Travel:
• NILC’s offices are located in Washington, D.C. and Los Angeles, California. For this role, up to 30% of overnight interstate travel may be required; generally, travel is quarterly to the NILC Washington, D.C. office or another location within the US for 3-5 nights.
• Compensation & Benefits:
• NILC’s compensation and benefits philosophy is to provide a competitive offering in the nonprofit sector and ensure equity across the organization. The salary range for this role is $128,000 – $161,000.
• Physical Demands:
• Remaining in a stationary position, often standing, or sitting for prolonged periods
• Communicating with others to exchange information.
• Repeating motions, like typing or answering a phone, that may include the wrists, handsand/or fingers.

NILC is an equal opportunity employer; people of color and individuals from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply. NILC does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, citizenship status, ethnic background, religion, political orientation, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, or any other protected class. We consider all qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative.