The ACLU of Indiana’s Advocacy Manager implements strategies that move people to take positive action in support of civil liberties. With support from the Executive Director, the Advocacy Manager will lead ACLU of Indiana’s engagement with Hoosiers in a variety of ways: direct contact through community events, in collaboration with community partners and coalitions, volunteer engagement, and community education opportunities.
In collaboration with the ACLU of Indiana’s Legal, Policy, and Communications teams, the Advocacy team’s core mission is to help Hoosiers engage in strategic ways with state and local elected officials and other government decision-makers to win back, preserve, and advance a range of federal and state constitutional rights. We do this through providing opportunities and support to people and communities so they can tell their stories and advocate directly for their rights.
The Manager works under the supervision of the Executive Director and in collaboration with other ACLU of IN staff members, the ACLU national office, and with coalition partners.
Job Responsibilities
- Lead staff member helping to shape and implement ACLU of Indiana’s advocacy strategies, including taking a lead on setting proactive and responsive advocacy goals, leading the work to plan and oversee related tactics, track progress, and identify opportunities to change goals or tactics when necessary or when new opportunities arise;
- Hire, recruit, manage, develop, coach, and retain Advocacy team, empowering and mentoring them as leaders;
- Build trusted relationships with communities, community partners, and key community leaders by meeting them where they are, helping them see how our issues are connected to their priorities, actively learning about their needs, and supporting them in meeting shared goals;
- When needed, lead the effort to stage rallies on issues of great importance, including identifying partners and speakers and setting strategic goals for the rally;
- Collaborate closely with the Communications team on reaching shared goals, in particular collaborating on proactive campaigns to restore and advance rights, mobilizing Hoosiers through both advocacy and communications strategies to emerging issues, and identifying opportunities for cross-team work on long-term campaigns;
- Working closely with the Finance and Operations Director and Executive Director, help establish budget priorities for the Advocacy team and track the budget, including specific line items for campaigns and types of engagement and grant tracking and spending;
- Serve on the ACLU of Indiana Management Team to help steer the direction of the affiliate and maintain commitment to our mission;
- Represent the ACLU of Indiana at events, forums and meetings; and,
- Perform other duties as assigned by the Executive Director.
Requirements
- Management style that builds trust, grows team members, and achieves meaningful outcomes for Hoosiers;
- Ability to take initiative, identify and implement goals and strategies, respond to developing issues in a timely manner, and participate in long-term planning;
- Ability to master your area of work so that you can be a resource for colleagues at the ACLU of Indiana, and ACLU affiliates across the country;
- Confidence to speak on behalf of the ACLU of Indiana in front of community groups, coalition partners, and large crowds;
- Commitment to working in a non-partisan manner;
- Willingness to learn from your state and national colleagues and members of your team;
- Interest in collaborating across departments within the ACLU of Indiana so that we have an integrated approach to the many issues we work on; and,
- Strong commitment to advancing the ACLU of Indiana’s values, mission, and goals, with an understanding of the range of civil liberties and civil rights issues and their implications;
Qualifications
- At least three years of experience in political, legislative, or policy related advocacy work or local or statewide organizing, bachelor’s degree preferred;
- Experience as a supervisor, experience as a team leader preferred;
- Ability to work effectively and collaboratively with diverse staff, partners, and work across the political spectrum;
- Ability to handle and prioritize multiple activities and responsibilities and the ability to work under pressure;
- Strong communication skills including the ability to speak clearly and persuasively in public.
- Ability to prioritize various advocacy opportunities in the face of competing interests;
- Exceptional initiative, vision and ability to develop and implement short- and long-term integrated advocacy strategies.
Salary and Benefits
Annual salary range: $64,000-$75,000
The ACLU of Indiana is a hybrid office; employees can choose to work from home up to two days a week. Employees are expected to work from our downtown Indianapolis office for the remainder of the week.
Benefits: As a full-time exempt employee, your benefit package in this position will include paid vacation, sick leave, health insurance, dental Insurance, life insurance, short- and long-term disability insurance, and employer contributions to employee’s Health Savings Account and 401k.
Promising candidates will be invited for a virtual first-round interview. Finalists will be invited a final in-person interview in Indianapolis.