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Director, Opportunity to Learn

Advancement Project Jun 06,2017 Location Washington DC
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Public Interest

Attorney

Litigation

Litigation - Public Interest

Litigation - Civil Rights

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Min 7 yrs required

Profile

Advancement Project seeks an experienced, committed and creative Director in its Washington D.C. office to lead our Opportunity to Learn work.

Advancement Project is a next generation, multi-racial civil rights organization. Rooted in the great human rights struggles for equality and justice, we exist to fulfill America’s promise of a caring, inclusive and just democracy. We use innovative tools and strategies to strengthen social justice movements and achieve high impact policy change.  This position is in our national office in Washington, DC.  We support grassroots racial justice movements providing law, organizing and communications support to eliminate structural racism.  We change the national discourse on race to provide opportunities for breakthroughs on racism. We aim to inspire and strengthen movements that expand opportunity for all.

The Director will lead a dedicated team of professionals from multiple disciplines working to address the “School-to-Prison Pipeline,” namely the over- use of punitive school discipline policies and practices that push students – and especially students of color – out of school and into the juvenile and criminal justice systems. Advancement Project has been a pioneer in reforming school disciplinary models to prevent the push out of young people. Through state and local campaigns with grassroots partners, we have reduced suspensions, expulsions and the criminalization of young people of color leading to improved educational outcomes.  We have also done groundbreaking work to challenge school closings in communities of color and privatization efforts that exacerbate education inequity.

The Director will:

  • Lead, build, and motivate an energetic, innovative team to identify and eliminate structural inequity in schools serving children of color;
  • Work in collaboration with  the leadership team to create project goals and workplans that create systemic change and deliver impact;
  • Manage the education team, tools, resources, and activities, to ensure goals are accomplished;
  • Work with the Communications Department to execute communications strategies;
  • Foster team and individual growth and promote team’s work;
  • Offer a strategic vision and creative solutions for eliminating existing and new barriers to voting;
  • Review the team’s written work products to ensure the consistent production of high quality work products and advocacy services;
  •  Litigate lawsuits and/or administrative challenges to education injustice;
  • Cultivate and manage strategic multiracial, multicultural relationships, coalitions, and partnerships to build power in communities of color;
  • Assist the Development Department with budgets, fundraising, and reporting;
  • Manage the Program’s budget effectively and adjust expenditures as necessary
  • Oversee implementation of 10+ local and state-level advocacy campaigns in partnership with community-based organizations across the country;
  • Develop and implement national strategies to build public will for dismantling the School-to-Prison Pipeline and strengthening public education for all;
  • Supervise the members of the team;
  • Play a leadership role within the field, through public speaking, writing, and convening of allies; and
  • Build and maintain relationships with stakeholders across the country and create a diverse constituency of support for reform.

Required Qualifications:

  • J.D. degree;
  • 7+ years of advocacy, legal, and/or policy experience;
  • Experience in education law;
  • Supervisory experience including mentoring and training junior staff;
  • Demonstrated commitment to racial justice;
  • Track record of getting results, handling a heavy workload and developing strong working relationships with and among a diverse group of actors;
  • Excellent written, verbal, analytical, interpersonal and organizational skills; and
  • Willingness to travel. Desired Qualifications:
  • Experience working with grassroots racial justice organizations;
  • Knowledge of legal and policy issues surrounding education including school discipline;
  • Experience designing and implementing advocacy campaigns;
  • Legislative or litigation experience;
  • Fundraising, budgeting and planning experience; and
  • Fluency in Spanish or other languages. Salary is based on experience; benefits included.

To apply, please send a cover letter, resume, two writing samples, and a list of three references (including a grassroots organization) by clicking "Apply Now".  Reference  “Director  - Opportunity to Learn” in the subject line.

Company info

Company Profile

Advancement Project is a next generation, multi-racial civil rights organization. Rooted in the great human rights struggles for equality and justice, we exist to fulfill America’s promise of a caring, inclusive and just democracy. We use innovative tools and strategies to strengthen social justice movements and achieve high impact policy change.