Director of Operations, Affiliate Support & Nationwide Initiatives Dept.

ABOUT THE JOB

The ACLU seeks a full-time position of Director of Operations in the Affiliate Support & Nationwide Initiatives Department (ASNI) of the ACLU's National office in New York, NY. This is a hybrid role that has in-office requirements of two (2) days per week or eight (8) days per month.

The Affiliate Support and Nationwide Initiatives Department (ASNI) builds state capacity and strengthens the connections between the ACLU and its network of 54 state affiliates and their 1,500 staff members across the country. Their work constitutes an unparalleled bulwark defending and advancing our civil liberties and civil rights. ASNI staff lead efforts to build programs, build organizations, and drive resources to key battles across the country, positioning the nationwide organization for future challenges.
WHAT YOU'LL DO

Reporting to the Deputy Director, the Director of Operations is responsible for work that ensures excellence in departmental and nationwide affiliate operations. The position oversees the department budget, human resource practices, and technology platforms, such as the grants management platform. The role is responsible for managing a positive culture that emphasizes collaboration, leadership, inclusion, and accountability. The position facilitates the use of systems that house data and analytics to drive strategy, evaluation, planning and measurement of effectiveness for affiliates. The Director acts as a liaison between ASNI and key national staff in Finance, IT, Development, and HR. The position is also an ambassador to ACLU staff who successfully communicates the vision of the Department to the rest of the organization.
YOUR DAY TO DAY

Internal Operations and Budget

• Ensure the smooth functioning of the department while recommending areas in need of improvement
• Act as chief problem-solver for departmental operations, including document management, technology, and affiliate list-serve management
• Act as chief liaison with the national Finance, IT, Human Resources, Business Operations, and Development departments on all matters related to internal operations and grants management
• Oversee a small team, providing regular feedback, performance management, and professional development coaching
• Oversee department hiring, ensure job descriptions and postings adhere to HR expectations, form hiring teams, provide quality communications to applicants, and that the hiring process and results are well documented
• In consultation with the Director or Deputy Director, lead ASNI senior staff annual planning process, staff meetings, and department retreats
• Supervise administrative, event and operational efficiencies staff
• Facilitate team communication within the department
• In consultation with the Director and Deputy Director, prepare the mid-year and annual budget, monitor budget to actual spending throughout the year, appraise Director of budget variances, oversee consultant contracts, and prepare materials and analysis for mid-year and end-of-the-year budget reviews
• Liaise with the Strategy Office on all budget-related matters
• Oversee administration of cost-sharing initiatives with affiliates

Nationwide Operations

• In consultation with affiliate Executive Directors, lead efforts on select initiatives to achieve operational efficiencies between affiliates and the national office, providing leadership as to new ideas that promote shared services and communication between National and affiliates
• Oversee best practices in affiliate internal operations by working with and training affiliate leaders as needed
• Oversee learning communities for affiliate operations staff and provide consultation to colleagues overseeing other affiliate learning communities related to operational matters
• Oversee the management of the nationwide grant-making system, ensuring high functionality, trend analysis, efficient payments to affiliates, and ongoing training to affiliate and national staff
• Oversee data collection on affiliates, including an annual survey on affiliate budgets, staffing, board of directors, and personnel practices
• Oversee event production for the department, including the ACLU's Biennial Leadership Conference
• Lead or represent the department on special projects necessary to ensure the smooth functioning of the nationwide enterprise
• Oversee operations of the two national Chapters, working with executive directors on annual and mid-year budgets and facilitating problem-resolution with national staff as needed
• Oversee nationwide communications on matters affecting affiliate operations

Leadership and Equity

• Act as an ambassador for the department and advocate for affiliate interests with national and affiliate colleagues
• Collaborate with other team leaders in the department to bring a multi-disciplinary approach to all work with affiliates
• Ensure Director is apprised of important information
• Provide support to the ASNI Director and ensure that Director's schedule is consulted in planning Department events
• Actively contribute to a welcoming and inclusive culture in the department
• Engage in special projects and other duties as assigned

FUTURE ACLU'ERS WILL

• Be committed to advancing the mission of the ACLU
• Center and embed the principles of equity, inclusion and belonging in their work by demonstrating commitment to diversity with an approach that respects and values multiple perspectives
• Be committed to work collaboratively and respectfully toward resolving obstacles and conflicts

WHAT YOU'LL BRING

• Significant experience in organizational management, including human resources, with demonstrated leadership skills and experience managing teams
• Bachelor's degree or specialized training in organizational management, preferred
• Experience managing budgets
• Experience with strategic planning and using project management tools to execute projects that involve many stakeholders
• Expertise in training and coaching others to achieve success and demonstrated strong problem-solving skills
• Strong verbal, written and interpersonal communications skills that can be applied to ensuring strong communication within a department that builds collaboration and trust
• Experience developing resources to facilitate knowledge sharing and use of best practices
• Detail-oriented mindset with strong follow-through, ability to meet tight deadlines and manage resources effectively
• Significant experience in leading department operations
• Demonstrated leadership abilities in managing across differences
• Ability to innovate in systems and technologies and inspire adoption of project management and other tools that facilitate collaboration

COMPENSATION

The ACLU values equity, transparency, and clarity in pay. Consistent with the ACLU's compensation philosophy there is a set salary for this role. The ACLU also has a locality adjustment policy that applies to salaries. The annual salary for this position is $212,836 (Level C2), reflecting the salary of a position based in New York, NY. This position is subject to a hybrid schedule of 2 days/week or 8 days/month in-office.
WHY THE ACLU

For over 100 years, the ACLU has worked to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed by the Constitution and laws of the United States. Whether it's ending mass incarceration, achieving full equality for the LGBTQ+ community, establishing new privacy protections for our digital age, or preserving the right to vote or the right to have an abortion, the ACLU takes up the toughest civil liberties cases and issues to defend all people.

We know that great people make a great organization. We value our people and know that what we offer is essential not just their work, but to their overall well-being.

At the ACLU, we offer a broad range of benefits, which include:

• Time away to focus on the things that matter with a generous paid-time off policy
• Focus on your well-being with comprehensive healthcare benefits (including medical, dental and vision coverage, parental leave, gender affirming care & fertility treatment)
• Plan for your retirement with 401k plan and employer match
• We support employee growth and development through annual professional development funds, internal professional development programs and workshops

OUR COMMITMENT TO ACCESSIBILITY, EQUITY, DIVERSITY & INCLUSION

Accessibility, equity, diversity and inclusion are core values of the ACLU and central to our work to advance liberty, equality, and justice for all. For us diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion are not just check-the-box activities, but a chance for us to make long-term meaningful change. We are a community committed to learning and growth, humility and grace, transparency and accountability. We believe in a collective responsibility to create a culture of belonging for all people within our organization - one that respects and embraces difference; treats everyone equitably; and empowers our colleagues to do the best work possible. We are as committed to anti-oppression, anti-ableism, and anti-racism internally as we are externally. Because whether we're in the courts or in the office, we believe 'We the People' means all of us.

With this commitment in mind, we strongly 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, veteran status and record of arrest or conviction, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

The ACLU is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual with a disability and need assistance applying online, please email [redacted]. If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request an accommodation for the interview process.