Political Director-ACLU-NJ

ACLU-NJ Political Director

The American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey seeks a seasoned Political Director to lead its newly formed Political Advocacy Department. This role is a meaningful opportunity in an organization making profound differences in the lives of people across New Jersey. We take pride in our decades' long reputation of fighting for people whose civil rights are challenged.

We are sharpening our organization’s strategic priorities by focusing our policy, political, organizing, legal, and strategic communications firepower to pursue specific advocacy campaigns, working to achieve measurable goals that will expand civil liberties and civil rights while building the long-term power of the ACLU-NJ and the civil liberties landscape.

The Political Director will play a vital role in shaping a bold vision to protect and promote civil liberties. This position sits at the intersection of policy, law, organizing, and politics, utilizing many tools to achieve our transformative agenda. Building on a history of exciting successes and at a pivotal point in the future of New Jersey’s political and policy landscape, the right candidate will lead the ACLU-NJ in maximizing our political influence, and expanding the reach and capacity of the ACLU-NJ to make a positive difference in policy at all levels of government. The Political Director will lead our efforts in shaping public policy to protect the civil rights of New Jerseyans, building coalitions to support and advocate for those policies, and mobilizing communities to take action to protect rights and liberties. They will also further develop and oversee our issue-based, non-partisan voter and electoral engagement program.

We need a strategic thinker and strong communicator  with a passion for our mission, a vision for applying policy, political, and organizing strategies and tactics to reach organizational goals, and a meticulous approach to conceiving and executing plans of action. The Political Director will also be a leader who will develop and achieve short and long-term goals across issue areas while spearheading policy, political, and community engagement initiatives in close coordination with our communications and legal teams.

The position is hybrid, based in Newark.

Organizational Overview  

For more than 60 years, the ACLU of New Jersey (ACLU-NJ) has defended liberty and justice guided by the vision of a fair and equitable New Jersey for all. Our mission is to preserve, advance, and extend the individual rights and liberties guaranteed to every New Jerseyan by the state and federal constitutions in courts, in the legislature, and in our communities. We are committed to repairing and transforming spaces where constitutional promises have not been delivered.    

In every facet of our work, we strive to be anti-racist and are actively committed to advancing racial justice in the institutions of New Jersey, for the people of New Jersey. We aim to center the voices and lived experiences of those who historically have not been fully protected by government systems or laws.    

Founded in 1960 and based in Newark, we are a non-partisan organization that operates on several fronts – political, legal, cultural – to bring about systemic change and build a more equitable society.  

ABOUT THE ROLE: 

Reporting to the Executive Director and joining the leadership team, the Political Director will oversee a talented and dedicated team of organizing and policy professionals in our newly comprised Political Advocacy Department in continuing to grow the affiliate as a formidable political force in the state. The Political Director will look ahead to opportunities to build a transformative future, while understanding current political reality and guiding the team in pursuit of its political goals.

The Political Director will lead the team in implementing and supporting multi-disciplinary, high-impact campaigns and programs that use a combination of legal, legislative, strategic communications, public education, and organizing tactics to achieve ACLU policy priorities in all levels of government and through issue-based electoral engagement. The Director will supervise the strategy, organization, and mobilization of the field and policy staff and guide the team using honed policy and political analyses, strategic partnerships, persuasive lobbying, and thoughtful coalition management to enhance the ACLU of New Jersey’s political influence and impact on the state’s political landscape.

Specifically, the Political Director can expect to lead in the following areas:

Lead political strategy for the ACLU of New Jersey

• Grounded in the ACLU of New Jersey’s mission, priorities, and integrated advocacy model, work with the leadership team to develop comprehensive strategies to achieve the ACLU’s public policy goals at federal, state and local
• In consultation with the legislative leader and executive director, set the legislative agenda for the ACLU of New Jersey, and deploy strategies and resources to achieve it.
• Develop long-, mid-, and short-term strategic political analyses to inform strategy and resource allocation to ensure we effectively respond to opportunities.
• Build the ACLU of New Jersey’s political power in the state through a variety of tactics, including but not limited to community mobilization, volunteer engagement, and activating ACLU members across New Jersey.
• Lead the development and ongoing assessment and adaptation of strategies, campaigns, and tactics of the political team to support our goals. Create and track metrics to evaluate the progress of campaigns and political programs and provide key feedback or interventions to ensure effective execution.
• Work with colleagues across departments to execute tactics, including field, communications, lobbying, and legal opportunities to further strategic campaigns.

Manage a talented and committed legislative and field team.

• Directly manage a legislative advocacy leader and a field leader and oversee and support the entire Political Advocacy Team to maximize our impact. Provide feedback and guidance to support the leadership and development of team members.
•  Develop growth plans for the department as needed to meet the moment, including hiring for key positions in coordination with other Leadership Team members.
• Support integrated advocacy by facilitating collaboration and continued communication within the Political Team and across departments, including Legal, Communications, and Development to continually strengthen understanding and coordination.
• Continue to build towards a team culture in which all staff experience a strong sense of belonging, where every staff member understands the spectrum of decision-making processes and feels empowered to make decisions within the scope of their position.
• Consult with the Chief Operating Officer to develop and oversee campaign, grant, and team budgets.

Build relationships with external partners and represent the ACLU of New Jersey publicly to various audiences, including legislators and their staff, coalition partners, Board members and press.

• Publicly represent the political and policy work of the ACLU of New Jersey at national, state, and local forums, conferences, meetings, and to the Along with the executive director and other key leaders, serve as a lead spokesperson on policy and political analysis on behalf of the ACLU-NJ.
• Build respectful and mutually helpful relationships with organizations and partners in pursuit of our program goals, strategies, and campaigns.
• Support the team in thoughtfully defining the most strategic role for the ACLU of New Jersey in coalitions and partnerships.
• Proactively coordinate with leadership and the Development and Communications Teams to provide insights, updates, and information to our members, donors, Board members, and others.
• Work with the Director of Development and Executive Director to help build and steward relationships with donors who can support the ACLU of New Jersey's political work.

Contribute to our ongoing efforts to be a values-driven and effective organization.

• As a leadership team member, contribute to organizational decisions and the implementation of those decisions across the team, recognizing the mission and complexity of our work and serving as a thoughtful supporter of a healthy, caring, equitable, and collaborative team environment.
• Continually champion and embed values of equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging into practices, systems, and processes at every level of the organization, listening with openness to feedback and learning, understanding mistakes are a part of our human condition, and pursuing practices of restorative justice to address conflict and harm, where appropriate.

 DESIRED QUALITIES & CHARACTERISTICS

While we expect any candidate to have learning curves in the role, we are excited to consider candidates who bring strengths, abilities, and alignment with the ACLU of New Jersey’s values in the following areas:

• Strategic political analyst, planner, and campaign executor: The Political Director will need experience assessing a political landscape and setting political (legislative, electoral, issue campaign) strategy to help achieve goals. They will be proficient in the legislative process, preferably in New Jersey, and have experience with tactics to move decision-makers, including political communications, lobbying, organizing, online and community activism, and constituent engagement, while also centering and bringing deep respect for the agency and authority of those most impacted and harmed by public policies and systems. They will be a persuasive communicator, including through writing and public speaking. They will be a thoughtful relationship-builder with experience working in and leading coalitions, working with lawmakers and staffers, and partnering with impacted community members to achieve change. They will bring diplomacy and work to find common ground with stakeholders and leaders across the ideological spectrum.
• Collaborative and developmentally focused manager and team member: The Political Director will have significant experience managing others and supporting thoughtful communications across a diverse team. They will have the ability to develop a team of leaders by providing practices for team-wide transparency and clear decision-making protocols, as well as individually appropriate support and thought-partnership to enable personal and professional growth. They will be emotionally mature and self-confident and have a sense of humor to maintain balance and perspective. They will be open and excited to learn and grow, including in practices of restorative justice, to ensure all team members have space to belong, thrive, and make and address mistakes.
• Values-aligned leader: As a member of the Leadership Team, the Political Director will be committed to advancing the ACLU’s values, mission, goals and programs, with an understanding of the range and complexity of civil liberties issues and their implications. They will bring a commitment to diversity; a personal approach that values the individual and respects differences of race, ethnicity, age, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ability, and socio-economic circumstance. They will be a team player that inspires collaboration and functions decisively, is flexible and well-organized, and is able to work collaboratively across an
• Experience: While applications from all interested candidates are welcome, competitive candidates will have an advanced degree in law, public policy, or a related field, and at least ten years of experience in policy advocacy, political campaigns, government, non-profit management, or a related field.
• Flexibility: The Political Director will need to be available for work outside of a typical 9-5 schedule. They must have a valid drivers license and be consistently able to travel across New Jersey. They must be willing to occasionally travel outside New Jersey, including to Washington D.C. and across the country for convenings. 

 

COMPENSATION

This position starts at $160,000 for someone with the requisite experience. The ACLU-NJ supports and plans for staff member professional growth and skill development through internal and external opportunities. We offer a comprehensive compensation and benefits package which currently includes 30 days paid time off, 12 office holidays and 16 health care leave days; medical, vision, and dental insurance; 20 weeks (100 days) paid family leave; life and long-term disability insurance; pre-tax transit benefits; and a 401(k) plan with employer match. This position is exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act.

About our Culture

We are a diverse workforce and take pride in our ability to attract and retain employees with a huge array of backgrounds and experiences. We work hard but also like to celebrate our successes. We strive to bring humility, empathy, kindness, and generosity to our work, internally within the organization and externally with our partners and those whom we are serving. We seek to build a work culture with a sense of respect and collegiality, and a willingness to be generous with our expertise and resources.

TO APPLY

Please complete the application by uploading a cover letter and resume. We invite applicants to include in their cover letter information about how their background and/or experiences could contribute to the diversity, cultural vitality, and perspective of our staff and advocacy work. Priority consideration will be given to applicants who submit their materials before October 31st, 2025.

The ACLU-NJ is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture of belonging. It is our policy to employ qualified people without regard to race; color; gender, gender identity or expression; religion; sex; national origin or ancestry; age; disability; sexual orientation; veteran’s status; marital status; civil union status; arrest or court record; citizenship; credit history; genetic information; status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual violence, or stalking; or any other characteristic protected under federal or state law. Black people, Indigenous people, people of color, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex people, women, people with disabilities, protected veterans, and formerly incarcerated individuals are all strongly encouraged to apply.

The ACLU-NJ makes every effort to assure that its recruitment and employment provide all qualified persons, including persons with disabilities, with full opportunities for employment in all positions. The ACLU-NJ is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual with a disability and need assistance applying online, please email careers@aclu-nj.org. If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request accommodations for the interview process.