Director, Federal Advocacy

About the National Immigration Law Center (NILC)

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.

Director, Federal Advocacy

The Director, Federal Advocacy (the Director) is a subject matter expert that leads and executes NILC’s government relations strategy at the federal level. The three core strategies of NILC’s current strategic framework—build power to achieve progressive legal and policy reforms, strengthen and expand the movement for immigrant justice, and advance narrative and culture change—all include elements of advocacy to advance NILC’s mission. The Director, Advocacy supports the Executive Vice President, Programs, the Vice President, Strategic Partnerships & Advocacy, and other Vice Presidents and Directors across the Programs team to set the overall advocacy strategy. The Director, Advocacy works in close coordination with the Law & Policy, Strategic Partnerships & Advocacy, Strategic Communications, and Development teams, NILC’s Immigrant Justice Fund (501(c)4), and external local and national partners to advance NILC’s advocacy goals. The Director, Federal Advocacy will lead the execution of a robust advocacy strategy for immigrant justice that is people- and community-centered and grounded in intersectional rights and needs of immigrants in the US.

This role is not a member of the Bargaining Unit.

Specific Position Responsibilities

Advocacy Strategy & Execution

• Support the Executive Vice President, Programs and the Vice President, Strategic Partnerships & Advocacy to develop a strategic plan for NILC’s advocacy work that implements and leverages the Strategic Framework.
• Oversee the development and execution of advocacy strategies to advance NILC’s mission, goals, and objectives within Congress and the Administration.
• Acts as a subject matter expert on federal advocacy and related areas using expertise of political landscape and how it relates to NILC’s policy and advocacy work.
• Coordinate with the Communications and Law & Policy functional leadership and teams, and other programs staff to drive the development of timely, impact-oriented, legal and policy analysis and recommendations that are designed for congressional and executive branch audiences.
• In partnership with the Director, Policy, direct and oversee the analyses of proposed bills and regulations, hearing and briefing testimony, voting recommendations, issue briefs, roadmaps, blueprints, factsheets, issue briefs, explainers, etc.
• Oversee the development of NILC’s advocacy agendas for Congress and the Executive Branch, including by driving decisions on which bills and executive actions NILC should support and advocate for, which issues may require hearings, reports, or other congressional and administrative oversight actions; and how best to pursue or prohibit federal funding to advance NILC’s goals and objectives.
• Engage with key stakeholders, including movement partners, allies, donors, and board members to advance NILC’s priorities.
• Serve as a spokesperson with the media, present at national conferences, and other public speaking engagements that further NILC’s mission and advocacy strategies.
• Develop and maintain strong and collaborative relationships with allies and coalition partners including key elected officials, congressional staff, policymakers, national organizations, grassroots organizations, and other partners.
• Oversee lobbying efforts on priority legislation.
• Collaborate with the Vice President, Political Strategy to ensure that all.
• In collaboration with the Strategic Partnerships team, partner with organizations, build coalitions, 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.
• In partnership with the Communications team, develop and disseminate materials supporting advocacy efforts or providing key updates on our work to key legislators, legislative staff, government officials, advocacy groups, and other external stakeholders.

Management, Supervision, and Operations

• In partnership with functional area leadership, develop and oversee implementation of Advocacy strategic goals at the functional area, department, team, and individual levels.
• Oversee the management of the Advocacy 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.
• Assign Advocacy team staff members to appropriate workgroups, and provide guidance and support to workgroups and teams driving the work.
• Ensure working groups and teams understand and are able to apply an advocacy approach that is consistent with the strategic framework.
• 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.
• 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 compliance with applicable federal law.
• 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.
• 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.
• In collaboration with other teams that interact with the federal advocacy team, oversee the development of effective internal communication and project management systems and practices across teams.
• 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.
• Experience working collaboratively and building alliances with diverse stakeholders such as immigrant community leaders, advocates, and advocacy makers from national, state, and local organizations, philanthropy, media, and others.
• Ability to effectively communicate complex policy issues to decision-makers and advocates, and to mobilize and inspire action.
• Build immediate rapport, even when facing difficult or tense situations.
• Proven ability to support cross-functional teams, a natural orientation towards collaboration, and experience bringing together diverse groups toward shared goals including working with and/or leading coalition work with other organizations.
• Willingness and ability to adapt strategies in response to changed circumstances.
• Ability to keep in mind the big picture and keep track of the details.
• 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

• Bachelor’s Degree in Public Administration, Public Affairs, Political Science, or related field.
• 10+ years of progressive experience working in Congress, the executive branch, or conducting legislative or administrative advocacy, including 4+ years of people management experience.
• Demonstrated ability to adapt to changing priorities, strategies, and circumstances.
• Experience working with diverse audiences, including elected officials, community leaders, coalition partners and managing conflict.
• Experience developing strong team dynamics with internal staff and external partners across the country through remote access/technology.
• Proficiency with in-office and virtual environments and software such as MS Office, internet research, and virtual collaboration tools.

Preferred Qualifications

• J. D. or advanced advocacy degree preferred.
• Experience in immigration, labor, health, economic justice, or civil and human rights-based advocacy is 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, hands, and/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.

Learn more here