Deputy Director, Policy

The NAACP Legal Defense & Educational Fund, Inc. (LDF) is the country’s first and foremost civil and human rights law organization. Founded in 1940 under the leadership of Thurgood Marshall, who subsequently became the first Black U.S. Supreme Court Justice, LDF was launched at a time when the nation’s aspirations for equality and due process of law were stifled by widespread state-sponsored racial inequality. From that era to the present, LDF’s mission has been transformative — to achieve racial justice, equality, and an inclusive society.

LDF’s litigation, public policy advocacy and public education programs in the substantive areas of criminal justice, economic justice, education, and political participation seek to ensure the fundamental and basic human rights of all people to quality education, economic opportunity, the right to vote and fully participate in democracy, and the right to a fair and just judicial system. LDF continues to make an impact in the area of public service and was recognized by Fast Company as one of its 2023 Brands That Matter under its public service category.

LDF seeks an experienced, creative, and highly motivated attorney for the position of Deputy Director of Policy (DDOP).

In addition to performing as a senior attorney in the Policy department (“Policy”), the DDOP will take on substantial managerial responsibilities while serving as the key point of contact for rapid responses to urgent matters that take place amidst an ever changing federal and state policy landscape. The DDOP will assist the Director of Policy (DOP) with issues pertaining to the management of Policy, including without limitation to: development of best practices regarding policy advocacy and issue-based campaigns; identification of subject-matter or skills-building trainings for the benefit of staff both within Policy and across multiple departments as needed; funding and budgeting of Policy projects and initiatives and the department as a whole; coordination between Policy and other departments on inter-departmental advocacy issues; supervision of Policy staff including review of public facing materials; recruitment and retention of talented individuals in various Policy positions; thought partner to the DOP in creating and advancing the LDF’s policy advocacy; and general administrative responsibilities to ensure the efficient and effective functioning of the department.

The DDOP is expected to maintain and strengthen expertise in subject areas relevant to LDF’s four pillars and engage publicly as a leader in the field while keeping the DOP and Associate Director-Counsel apprised of relevant developments. The DDOP will have additional specific supervisory activities within Policy to be determined at the discretion of the DOP. The DDOP will report directly to the DOP and serve as the first line of communication on the matters the DDOP oversees. The DDOP will also act as the direct supervisor for a certain number of Policy staff members, the exact number to be determined at the discretion of the DOP.

LDF operates in a hybrid work environment where employees are expected to be in the office a minimum of two days per week, unless otherwise indicated.

Responsibilities:

• Partner with the DOP in carrying out day-to-day activities of the Policy staff, including attorneys, non-attorney advocates and administrative staff members;
• Supervise, mentor and support staff, fostering a culture of continuous learning and professional development;
• Providing ongoing coaching and constructive feedback to drive individual and team excellence;
• Coordinate and oversee the administrative tasks designated to the Senior Policy Counsel, Senior Advocate and Executive Assistant;
• Help develop best practices in the integration of other LDF departments’ efforts while helping build a strong and productive team spirit that encourages independent judgment and valuing self-starters.
• Contribute to the shaping of Policy matters;
• Assume a leadership position in a minimum of one policy area;
• Drive coordination and decisive leadership when urgent policy matters demand rapid responses;
• Partner with internal stakeholders across departments to coordinate project timelines, deliverables and communication ensuring alignment;
• Represent the Policy department on behalf of LDF at conferences and symposia focused on civil rights law and policy as they relate to racial justice;
• Partner with the DOP on the development and management of department’s annual budget and issue-based campaign budgets;
• Partner with the Communications department to align departmental media presence with organizational branding, ensuring consistent messaging across all digital platforms and legacy media outlets;
• Assist with overseeing grant compliance while working closely with the DOP and staff designated by the Chief Financial Officer and the Chief Development Officer;
• Assist with maintaining organizational accountability by helping monitor expenditures, relevant deadlines, lobbying requirements and other regulatory and statutory requirements;
• Partner with the DOP on Policy’s employment opportunities, from job description development to the interview process, as well as internal promotion recommendations as needed;
  
  

Qualifications:

• J.D. degree required, and admittance to or eligible to waive into the District of Columbia;
• Minimum of 10 years of experience on policy matters, with a preference for 12 years of experience;
• A minimum of 5 years management experience;
• Supervisory and case management experience with an interest in and commitment to the professional development, training and support of attorneys, legal interns and administrative staff;
• Outstanding legal research, writing, and oral advocacy skills;
• Broad, relevant policy experience at the federal and state levels;
• Experience working with organizers, policy advocates, and non-attorney staff in collaboration with community-based partners and high level elected and appointed officials in a holistic and comprehensive advocacy strategy;
• Demonstrated commitment to racial justice and civil rights advocacy;
• Effective public speaking experience;
• Ability to work both collaboratively and independently;
• Capacity to analyze and articulate legal concepts and other complex issues to a variety of audiences;
• Capacity to lead and guide case, advocacy, and organizational strategy.
  
  

The Total Salary Range For This Position (based On Candidates With 10-12 Years Of Post-law School Experience), Inclusive Of Compensation For Additional Administrative Responsibilities, Starts At And Will Be Commensurate With Experience:

Washington, DC: $187,000 - $197,500

This is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, skills, efforts, requirements, or working conditions associated with the job. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the current job, management reserves the right to revise the job or to require that other or different tasks be performed as assigned. This description does not constitute a contract of employment, and LDF may exercise its employment-at-will rights at any time.

LDF offers all eligible employees a generous benefits package. To learn more, click the following link: 2026 Benefits Overview.