Director of Policy

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION:

ADL is the leading anti-hate organization in the world. Founded in 1913, its timeless mission is “to stop the defamation of the Jewish people and to secure justice and fair treatment to all.” Today, ADL continues to fight all forms of antisemitism and bias, using innovation and partnerships to drive impact. A global leader in combating antisemitism, countering extremism and battling bigotry wherever and whenever it happens, ADL works to protect democracy and ensure a just and inclusive society for all.

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

The Central Division Director of Policy (“Director”) leads engagement with state elected officials and supports interactions with local government throughout the Central Division and guides our policy agenda—informed by CSC’s Policy and Senior Teams—on the ground in the Central Division. The Director will collaborate with internal stakeholders to identify priorities and coordinate engagement and outreach to elected officials and policy makers at the state and local level, and map assets in regional offices to devise a strategic plan on policy initiatives in the Central Division. The Director will guide and support the work of ADL’s eight (8) regional offices in the Central Division in building and engaging in local coalitions to advance our policy priorities, and the Director will assist the regional offices in mapping priority community relationships.

The Director also will be responsible for running high-priority and high-visibility initiatives for ADL which are part of the state and local advocacy agenda, including lobbying and action alerts.

Responsibilities

Primary:

• Build strategic relationships with state and local government officials who can help ADL to advance its agenda and secure achievement of ADL’s policy goals.
• Propose, analyze and coordinate state and local legislative and executive initiatives of interest or concern to ADL by testifying, delivering oral briefings and preparing written materials.
• Direct and supervise policy initiatives, programmatic activities, and special projects in coordination with regional offices and other departments as appropriate.
• Catalyze new relationships between agency leaders and key government and community officials.
• Direct integration of the state and local policy agenda into other departments (e.g. Education, Growth, etc.), appropriate.
• Directly supervise professional and administrative staff including setting goals, work plans and performance management.
• Raise public awareness and initiate grassroots advocacy campaigns; craft advocacy strategy and help formulate political and policy priorities for the agency at the state and local level; track, analyze and report on legislative and policy developments that impact ADL’s policy agendas; and generate funding through engaging donors and identifying funding opportunities.
• Engage in an ongoing analysis of developments in state capitals and key cities across the Central Division. Provide guidance to the Central Division VP, Regional Directors and other staff and leadership (national staff, Civil Rights Area Counsel, regional board members) on important developments and trends in government policy relevant to ADL’s work.
• Support ADL outreach and partnerships with different political constituencies to achieve policy objectives at the state and local level. This could include non-profit groups, coalitions, think tanks, faith communities, advocacy organizations, labor unions and other groups to combat antisemitism, racism, and other forms of hate.
• Oversee strategic planning and the development, coordination and execution of plans by regional offices to enhance their policy priorities and initiatives.
• Travel as needed to state capitals or regional offices to testify, provide advocacy training and participate in meetings with donors, regional boards, committees and coalition partners.

Qualifications

Skills:

• Exceptional networking, public speaking, writing and communications skills essential.
• Sophisticated understanding of policy-making and legislative processes and political dynamics, particularly in California, required.
• Extensive knowledge of Jewish community affairs and US—Middle East policy and issues strongly preferred.
• Knowledge of ADL civil rights priorities and community relationships required.
• Ability to identify and analyze key regional events and trends and how they might impact ADL’s policy priorities.
• Ability to work alongside elected officials, policy makers and political operatives across the political spectrum to further ADL’s initiatives required.
• Natural leader and advocate.
• Open-minded. Understand rationale of both sides of issues and operate in a non-partisan manner.
• Confident and persuasive — can interface and build relationships with prominent people.
• Team player. Comfort working with colleagues and partners remotely throughout the Division and across the country essential.
• Entrepreneurial and can thrive in a fast-paced environment essential.
• Temperament and staying power to be energized by ADL’s mission and work.
• Technical competence required. Working familiarity and comfort in database systems essential. Reasonable level of experience using Microsoft Office software, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, and comfort learning new technology.

Work Experience:

• 8 to 10 years prior experience in a leadership role in community relations and/or policy work required. Preference for civil rights advocacy experience.
• Experience with and knowledge of state and local advocacy groups is required.
• Advocacy or policymaker experience that may have been earned from diverse environments (i.e., government, non-profit or corporate) is strongly preferred.

Education:

• BA degree or equivalent experience plus additional college courses or professional training required.
• Graduate degree in related field preferred (i.e., law, public policy, etc.)

Work Environment:

ADL COVID-19 Protocol (updated periodically): ADL is adhering to public health guidance regarding COVID-19. ADL will require that all employees are vaccinated with exceptions for medical and religious accommodations. ADL is requiring proof of vaccination. ADL is a hybrid environment; this role may require 3 days in the office.

Compensation:

This position has a salary range of $74,000 to $110,000. This salary range is reflective of a position based in Houston, Texas. Please note that actual salaries are commensurate with experience and reflect the budget for a given position, and since ADL has a location-based compensation structure, there may be a different range for candidates in other locations. For an overview of our total rewards package, please visit ADL Careers.

ADL values a diverse workplace and strongly encourages women, people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, members of underrepresented ethnic groups, foreign-born residents, and veterans to apply. ADL is an equal opportunity employer. Recruitment, hiring, promotions and other terms, conditions and privileges of employment shall be maintained in a manner which does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression, marital status, physical or mental disability, veteran status, or military status, or in violation of any applicable Federal, state or local laws.

ADL will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. For individuals with disabilities who would like to request an accommodation to support the interview process, please contact Talent & Knowledge at [email protected].

ADL will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Fair Credit Reporting Act, and all other applicable State, Local, and Federal laws.

Learn more here