Senior Supervising Policy Counsel

The Senior Supervising Policy Counsel is responsible for developing and leading policy and advocacy efforts resulting in transformational changes across several substantive program areas. This position is part of the Advocacy Department and will work collaboratively with colleagues in our Communications, Legal, and Philanthropy & Engagement Departments. This position will supervise, and support select staff, fellows, and interns engaged in policy, legislative, and administrative advocacy work.

The Senior Supervising Policy Counsel will be required to work proactively and responsively, often including evenings and weekends, particularly while the Illinois General Assembly is in Session. This includes most weeks from January through May, two weeks in the Fall Veto Session, and in January following election years for the Lame Duck Session.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Yes.

Employment Status

Full-time, in-office, exempt, non-union position. Based at our Chicago, Illinois office.

Responsibilities

Program Support

• The Senior Supervising Policy Counsel will help to develop, lead, and implement the ACLU-IL’s legislative, policy, and advocacy priorities through the following job responsibilities:
• Identify opportunities to advance civil liberties and civil rights in complex policy areas using a variety of non-litigation methods at the state and local levels.
• Monitor, research, analyze, and advise on legal, legislative, political, technological, and other developments in assigned issue areas; identify other areas that warrant the organization’s attention.
• Provide tactical suggestions, policy, legislative, and legal analysis, and expertise to internal and external stakeholders.
• Independently analyze and draft bills, administrative rules/regulations, and comments at the state and local levels.
• Lobby elected officials, their staff, and other public officials to support ACLU of Illinois positions on pending legislation and policy initiatives.
• Prepare and provide expert-level guidance and testimony on pending legislation before state and local legislative committees, administrative agencies, and other regulatory bodies.
• Conduct in-depth civil liberties briefings for government officials to advance priority ACLU of Illinois positions.

Community Partners and Stakeholders Support

• Work with the Advocacy Team and community stakeholders to ensure that the program approach is informed by the voices, perspectives, and experiences of people who are directly impacted by the issues we address.
• Work with other ACLU affiliates on advocacy efforts in furtherance of policy outcomes, as needed.
• Participate as an ACLU of Illinois representative in meetings, task forces, working groups, and coalitions.
• Provide expert commentary to media, participate in media briefings, and contribute to op-eds and other publications.
• Build and maintain trusted, respectful, and collaborative relationships with stakeholders, including but not limited to: people impacted by our work, community members and leaders, coalitions, allied organizations, issue experts, legislative staff, government officials, and elected officials.

Supervisory Support

The Senior Supervising Policy Counsel will provide effective senior-level guidance, supervision, and management to early and mid-career attorneys and Advocacy staff, including policy and advocacy strategists, policy counsel, fellows, and interns.

• Responsible for assigning, directing, and overseeing day-to-day work, transferring or modifying job assignments as needed.
• Evaluating work performance, overseeing, and directing professional development.
• Participate in decisions concerning hiring, promotion, discipline, and/or separation of employment.

• Law degree required; demonstrated expertise in constitutional law preferred.
• At least 15 years of legal experience, including a minimum of 12 years of experience working in legislative, policy, legal, or government settings.
• A minimum of 4 years of experience directly supervising and managing direct reports and others.
• Demonstrated ability to supervise staff to produce high quality results and help less experienced staff develop their skills.
• Extensive knowledge of current policy questions related to civil liberties, especially at the intersection of free speech and new technologies, is strongly preferred.
• High degree of familiarity with public policy, legislative and/or administrative processes preferred.
• A well-developed interest in a range of civil rights and civil liberties issues and the ability to master areas of law outside of their current expertise. 
• High level, substantive, and extensive experience in policy development, including demonstrated ability to analyze legislative and regulatory policy, experience drafting and analyzing legislative language, and ability to recognize nuances in situations like bill drafting, communication, and negotiations with stakeholders.
• Excellent research, writing, and analytical skills.
• Flexibility to navigate dynamic political landscapes and respond to fast-changing policy priorities.
• In addition to the ability to source existing policy ideas and approaches to civil liberties challenges, the candidate must have ability to think creatively, and independently explore and develop novel approaches to solving problems.
• Ability to synthesize information, to solicit and integrate feedback and follow through and complete assignments, often under strict deadlines.
• Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills with a broad range of stakeholders, including but not limited to: people impacted by our work, community members and leaders, coalitions, allied organizations, issue experts, legislative staff, government officials, and elected officials.
• Strong written and spoken communication skills, including the ability to communicate complex legal and policy issues and translate technical information into everyday language accessible to a wide variety of audiences.
• Ability to be flexible, responsive, and a team player to meet the needs of the organization, but also to work independently when needed.
• Highly collaborative with the desire to consult and share information with colleagues; skilled in respectfully resolving differences.
• Experience giving advice and counsel to leadership, department, and project staff.

Physical Requirements

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift up to ten pounds at times. 

Salary and Benefits

Salary is determined by the ACLU-IL salary scale and is commensurate with experience. The salary range for this position is $135,000 to $150,000, commensurate with experience. As an example, the annual salary for an individual 15 years post-law school with at least 12 years of relevant experience is $135,0000. Salary will be higher depending on additional experience.

Benefits include:

• Vacation: 15 days of paid vacation in the first year and 20 days of paid vacation thereafter.
• Health benefits: 100% employer-paid premiums for medical, vision, and dental insurance for staff and eligible dependents.
• Retirement benefits:  6% employer-paid retirement contribution after 1 year without any employee contribution, plus 50% employer retirement match of the first $3,000 the employee contributes.
• Other benefits:  100% employer-paid life insurance; employee assistance program; short and long-term disability insurance. Paid parental leave after 1 year.  Flexible spending accounts.

ACLU Employment Statement

The ACLU of Illinois is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and encourage applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, criminal record, or veteran status.

The ACLU of Illinois is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you need assistance applying online, please email the Human Resources department at jalicea@aclu-il.org. If selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request accommodation for the interview process.

How to Apply

Applicants should submit the following materials:

• A current resume.
• A writing sample that demonstrates your research and writing abilities and that has not been substantially edited or generated by others (including AI). Ideally, a legislative or regulatory policy, bill analysis, implementation plan, policy brief, or similar document relevant to the position. 
• A cover letter that (1) explains how you meet the qualifications listed above, and (2) addresses the following questions:

1. Share an example of a time you successfully advocated for a policy change.  What skills did you use in the process? What skills did you develop in the process? What was most challenging for you? Please be specific. (Examples can include: a formal legislative effort; policy change within an organization, municipality, or other governmental entity; or an organized campaign where you had a leadership role.)
2. Share an example of a time you led or participated in a meaningful way in the implementation of a law, administrative rule, or other policy change.  What was your role in the implementation process? How did you define and measure success? What did you put in place to increase the likelihood of success?