Co-Deputy Director, Advocacy

Salary

Salary range is $115,000 to $161,592.44 based on years of relevant experience and LAJC’s formal salary scale. An upward 12% cost-of-living adjustment ($128,800 to $180,983.53) is available for positions based in Falls Church. To allow for salary growth within the position over time, the anticipated hiring range for this position is between $115,000 – $142,947.16 ($128,800 – $160,100.82 with the 12% adjustment for Falls Church). Placement on the range will be based on factors such as years of relevant experience, budget, and internal equity.

About the Legal Aid Justice Center

The Legal Aid Justice Center is a nationally recognized, non-profit organization that partners with low-income clients and communities of color in Virginia to fight for racial, social, and economic justice. The harms our clients endure are inextricably linked to overarching systems of injustice, and we are working to dismantle those systems through a combination of community organizing, litigation, policy advocacy, public relations, and individual legal services.

Founded in 1967, LAJC has offices in Charlottesville, Richmond, Petersburg, and Falls Church, providing services in six key program areas: Civil Rights & Racial Justice (focused on the criminal legal system), Housing & Consumer Justice, Youth Justice, Health Justice & Public Benefits, Immigrant Justice, and Worker Justice. Recent successes include reforms to Virginia’s unemployment insurance system, a statewide eviction moratorium during the pandemic, and reducing incarceration rates across the state.

With a staff of over 90, LAJC has recently expanded both its programmatic efforts and administrative capacity, creating opportunities for professional growth, leadership, and ongoing race equity work.

For more information about LAJC’s work, visit www.justice4all.org.

About the Position

This role is responsible for building and overseeing the implementation of an integrated advocacy strategy to dismantle the systems that create and perpetuate poverty and racial injustice. In partnership with the other Co-Deputy Director of Advocacy, you will set a strategic vision for our advocacy work, supervise program directors, and help determine LAJC’s strategic vision as part of the executive team.

Job Duties

Advocacy Leadership

• Provide strategic vision and leadership to LAJC’s advocacy efforts.
• Promote coordination of resources across programs.
• Support multi-strategy campaigns to dismantle systemic poverty and injustice.
• Build relationships with community members, legal professionals, and elected officials.
• Supervise impact campaigns and encourage cross-program collaboration.
• Serve as Chair of LAJC’s Advocacy Standards Committee.

Management, Supervision, and Mentorship

• Provide direct supervision and mentorship to advocacy leadership.
• Collaborate with advocacy leaders to evaluate programmatic goals and encourage cross-program efforts.
• Ensure senior staff prioritize management protocols and promote staff professional development.
• Help design and implement internal operational systems.

Organizational Leadership

• Serve on the Executive Team, advising on growth and organizational change.
• Collaborate with the Executive Director, Co-Deputy Director of Advocacy, and leadership team.
• Approach leadership with a “power with” mindset and include others in decision-making.
• Serve as a thought leader and agent for process improvement within the organization.

Communications

• Collaborate with the Director of Communications on internal and external communications.

Fundraising

• Assist with grant proposals and relationship-building with donors.

Racial Equity

• Incorporate anti-oppression frameworks into the organization’s work.
• Recruit and retain staff that reflect the racial composition of the community.
• Promote respect and resources for non-attorney staff, who are disproportionately people of color.
• Create spaces for staff to discuss issues of racial and gender marginalization.
• Advocate for institutional changes to promote racial equity.

Requirements

Required Qualifications

• Strong commitment to social, economic, and racial justice.
• Minimum of 7 years’ membership in any state bar; if not admitted in Virginia, must be eligible for admission to the Virginia Bar.
• Minimum of 5 years’ supervisory experience.
• Experience partnering with low-wealth communities and communities of color.
• Familiarity with advocacy tools, including litigation, organizing, and policy advocacy.
• Strong management skills and ability to manage high-performing teams.
• Strong oral advocacy, research, and writing skills.
• Flexibility to work evenings and weekends and travel within Virginia.

Preferred Qualifications

• Federal civil rights litigation experience.
• Experience in local and state policy advocacy.
• Experience using integrated advocacy approaches for systemic change.
• Experience working with organizers and lawyers on advocacy campaigns.

Location

This role will be based in Charlottesville, Falls Church, Petersburg, or Richmond. Occasional travel between offices is required. LAJC offers a remote work policy to support co-creating schedules that allow for optimal work performance.

Application Deadline

We will begin reviewing applications on August 05, 2024, and will continue accepting applications on a rolling basis. Candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

Salary

The salary scale for this position is $115,000 – $161,592.44, with a 12% cost-of-living adjustment available for positions based in Falls Church. The anticipated hiring range is $115,000- $142,947.16. Placement depends on relevant experience, budget, and internal equity.

Benefits

We provide:

• Generous paid time off, including 3 to 6 weeks of vacation, 12 days of health leave, 6 weeks of parental leave, and 14 holidays.
• 100% employer-paid health, dental, and vision insurance, plus family coverage with an annual max contribution of $2,400.
• 403(b) retirement plan with 4% employer contribution.
• Strong commitment to professional development.
• Relocation package.

Application Instructions

Complete the online application, including a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three references. Direct the cover letter to Angela Ciofli at [email protected]. We will not contact references without advance consent from candidates. For assistance with the application portal, contact [email protected].

Vaccination Requirement

LAJC requires all employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or have an approved medical or religious exemption.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Legal Aid Justice Center is committed to inclusive hiring and diversity in our work and staff. We encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply. All applicants must be committed to fostering a work environment that empowers and respects all individuals, particularly those from traditionally marginalized populations.