Executive Director

The American Civil Liberties Union of the Nation’s Capital (ACLU-NCA) seeks a dynamic and seasoned chief executive to lead a strategic and effective civil liberties agenda in the District of Columbia. The ACLU-NCA is a not-for-profit, nonpartisan organization that utilizes an integrated advocacy model, adopting a range of strategies – advocacy, coalition-building, educating, legislative lobbying, organizing, and litigating – to address a broad range of constitutional issues. It is an affiliate of the national ACLU, the leading defender of civil liberties guaranteed by our nation’s Bill of Rights.

Founded in 1961, the ACLU-NCA plays an important role in the national discussion on civil liberties and is a premier public advocacy organization. The affiliate has an operating budget of approximately $1 million and a full-time staff of six, which is expected to increase in size, and is additionally supported by the staff and resources of the ACLU’s national organization. Specific civil liberties that have been addressed by the affiliate include free speech and assembly, search and seizure, LGBT rights, due process, women’s rights, separation of church and state, D.C. statehood and voting rights, the school-to-prison pipeline, racial justice, rights of federal employees, and police accountability as well as other civil liberties and civil rights. It often partners with the national ACLU in litigation involving national security issues.

The Executive Director will serve as the chief executive officer of the ACLU-NCA at a key moment in the affiliate’s history, facilitating the organization’s vision for safeguarding and improving civil liberties and rights, managing the organization’s finances, raising funds, hiring and supervising staff and volunteers, and serving as the primary spokesperson for the ACLU-Nation’s Capital. S/he must collaboratively partner with the board of directors and lead the organization’s high-functioning professional staff.

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director will ensure that the organization continues to be fiscally sound and that its internal and external communications, resource development and programs are meeting the current and emergent interests of its constituents. The Executive Director will initiate and strengthen relationships and collaborations with organizations and leaders who are aligned with the ACLU’s mission and purpose.

A candidate for the position of Executive Director should be a strategic thinker with a profound commitment to social justice and a passion for protecting civil liberties; be adept at balancing internal management needs with external impact and visibility; and be an outstanding communicator able to convey effectively the mission and activities of the ACLU to a variety of constituencies and the broader public.

The ideal candidate will have seven to ten years of professional experience, including a track record of successfully leading an organization and supervising employees; proven managerial and financial management experience in the private, not-for-profit, and/or public sectors; a successful track record of fundraising, specifically through high level major gifts; an ability to inspire and mobilize individuals around strategic initiatives; the credibility and experience to connect the ACLU to resources and opportunities outside the organization; and a history of communicating effectively in writing and orally. A Bachelor’s degree is a minimum requirement and an advanced degree in law, policy, or another related field is preferred.
More information about the executive director position is available at www.aclu-nca.org.

Due to the pace of this search, candidates are strongly encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Please send a cover letter describing your qualifications and interest, resume (Word or PDF format), a two page writing sample, where you learned of the opportunity, and salary history to aclu-nca@nonprofitprofessionals.com. In order to expedite the internal sorting and reviewing process, please type your name (Last, First) as the only contents in the subject line of your e-mail.

The ACLU is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and encourages applications from all qualified individuals including women, veterans, people of color, persons with disabilities, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals. The ACLU provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. Determinations on requests for accommodations are made on a case-by-case basis.