Managing Policy Counsel

About Americans United Americans United for Separation of Church and State is a nonpartisan educational and advocacy organization dedicated to advancing the constitutional principle of church-state separation as the only way to ensure freedom of religion, including the right to believe or not believe, for all of us. Founded in 1947, Americans United   (AU)   is a diverse and dynamic organization composed of people from all   walks of life : lawyers and lobbyists, students and activists, religious   leaders   and impassioned Americans. AU includes people of faith and people who   don’t   profess any   particular faith . It is a community that welcomes people of all genders, races, ethnicities, religions or beliefs, sexual orientations, ages, socioeconomic backgrounds, and abilities. Because we work on a wide variety of issues with many different communities, we value what diversity and diverse perspectives bring to our work. Position Summar y The   Managing Policy Counsel   will be a forward-thinking, passionate leader for change who is excited to lead and collaborate with a dynamic team and organization, working together to fight for freedom without favor, and equality without exception.  The position   will   report to the Vice President of Public Policy and be part of   the   Public Policy   department ’s leadership team ,   along with the Associate VP of Public Policy. AU’s P ublic P olicy d epartment implements state and federal legislative and policy-advocacy strategies to advance and protect the separation of church and state. We build partnerships on the Hill, in state legislatures, and with diverse federal and   state stakeholders.   The department’s   main areas   of work include:

• Protecting and advancing the separation of church and state at both the federal and state levels .
• Fighting the misuse of religion to discriminate and cause   harm, such as in   undermining LGBTQ+ rights   and   reproductive rights .
• Protecting secular public education .
• Fighting private school vouchers . This is   an   exciting   new   leadership   role   to   envision and   build   out the   Public P olicy department’s capacity to support integrated advocacy campaigns and projects for movement building and narrative change   at   state/local levels   in   alignment with the   organization’s   strategic goals .   This position will work closely with the Senior Director of Field and Organizing in the Outreach   d epartment   as well as other   AU   departments   to   ensure strong collaboration and communication .   This role will require creativity and intention to translate the Public Policy department’s technical policy work   into   actionable organizing and outreach initiatives. A significant portion   of time will   also   be spent s upervising AU’s policy counsel team , currently   comprised   of three attorneys .   Their   day-to-day   work include s:
• Analyz ing   and track ing   federal and state legislation and regulations
• Draft ing   legislation and potential amendments to bills .
• Writ ing   letters, talking points,   backgrounders , etc. with legal and policy analysis on bills—distributed to legislators, legislative staff, and coalition partners .
• Writ ing   regulatory comments, coalition comments, and template comments for proposed regulations with legal and policy analysis .
• Develop ing   strategies for federal and state legislative hearings, debate, and briefings, including preparing witnesses and panelists; drafting testimony and questions that legislators ask witnesses .
• Lead ing   and   participating   in   national and state coalitions and forge ad hoc coalitions by successfully recruiting and equipping other allied organizations to   advocate on   church-state separation issues on legislative and regulatory matters .
• Working closely across AU departments so that policy work can   advance litigation, movement building , narrative   change strategies. Essential Duties &

Responsibilities

Develop   and Lead   Integrat ed Policy   Effort

• Build and strengthen   integrated advocacy work between AU departments, with a special focus on   bridging the policy work of the Public Policy department and the organizing work of the Outreach department.
• Collaborate across departments and partner organizations to   initiate , lead, and/or support integrated advocacy campaigns   at state/ local levels   that   integrate   policy work with   AU’s   litigation, movement -building, and   narrative change work .
• Oversee and expand AU’s lobbying and policy efforts at the state level.
• Serve as a subject matter expert and policy strategy expert to partners, legislative and administration officials, and staff .
• Supervise advocacy, including lobbying, before state legislatures, Congress, the White House, and federal agencies.
• Build and strengthen relationships with partner organizations: represent AU in coalitions, run AU-led coalitions, and build ad hoc coalitions as needed.
• Analyze and research legislation and proposed regulations and policies; draft legislative   and policy   language ; draft and edit legislative and policy materials (such as congressional testimony, regulatory comments, and letters to public officials )   as well as public-facing   resources .
• Help  determine  strategic vision and direction for Americans United’s  public policy   program. Supervise Policy Counsel Team
• Manage the Public Policy department’s policy counsel team to effectively advance AU’s policy agenda   and   to   support AU’s litigation, movement-building, and   narrative   change strategies .
• Align   policy   work   with AU’s strategic plan and organizational goals.
• P rovide   direct supervision, mentoring, and professional development support to the policy counsel team and their work.
• Organize   trainings   to   the   department as needed for skills development.
• Set clear performance expectations and support policy   counsel   staff in meeting them.
• Support the Vice President of Public Policy and Associate Vice President of Public Policy as a thought partner in the Public Policy department’s leadership team , further developing and shaping   the   impact of the   Public Policy department. Skills and Exper ience
• Research shows candidates from marginalized groups are less likely to apply for positions when they   don't   meet 100% of listed requirements; please consider applying even if you   don’t   match 100% of these criteria. Americans United seeks an attorney who ideally:
• Has a   J.D.   and is   licensed to practice   in the District of Columbia or eligible   and willing   to become a member of the bar of the District of Columbi a.
• Has a   minimum of  t en  years of   public policy or related   legal   experience ( j udicial-clerkship experience counts toward those years ).
• Has   demonstrable   supervisory or managerial experience , including experience with change management .
• Has experience   engaging in organizing, outreach, engagement, or other non-legal policy advocacy activities.
• Is a self-starter who takes initiative and gets excited about  identifying  and developing new   initiatives integrating public policy work with   organizing , outreach, and engagement .
• Has   exceptional analytical ,   writing , and research  skills , including   fluency in breaking   down technical legal concepts   for resources   geared towards the   general public .
• Has  experience and interest in training and developing   staff ,   including attorneys at all practice levels .
• Has the interpersonal skills to  collaborate productively with stakeholders of differing viewpoints, work across diverse communities ( e.g.  race, age, class, LGBTQ+, religious/nonreligious), and integrate diversity,  equity  and inclusion into our work.
• Is  committed to advancing  the public  interest and the separation of religion and government.
• Is   demonstrably committed   to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility   and   to fostering an inclusive and respectful work environment.
• Can travel as   their work requires, including conferences, in-person briefings, and speaking engagements.
• Can   work from AU’s headquarters office   in downtown Washington, DC   at least   on ce   per   week ,   and   as needed ,   as determined by the VP of Public Policy and/or AU executive leadership . Americans United welcomes applicants of all genders, races, ethnicities, religions and beliefs, sexual orientations, gender identities, ages, socio-economic backgrounds, and abilities. Because we work on a wide variety of issues and with many different communities, we value what diversity and diverse perspectives bring to our work. Working Conditions & Physical

Requirements

This is a hybrid position that primarily involves working from a home office   and/ or professional office environment. The role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, and video conferencing tools. It requires the ability to remain in a stationary position for extended periods, communicate effectively, and occasionally move about within the workspace.

Compensation and Benefits

The salary range for this position   is $ 153,688.50 - $181,135.50 . This   stated range includes a 5 % locality   pay adjustment for the Washington, DC metropolitan area. The successful candidate’s placement within that range will be consistent with   AU’s compensation framework , which is based on role placement and years of related experience.

Americans United offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes employer-paid premiums for health care, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, 401(k) with match, and commuter subsidy.

Equal Opportunity

Employer AU is an equal opportunity employer. We consider applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, marital or veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected status. If you need an accommodation for a disability to apply to this position, please let us know by emailing   [email protected] .

Application Information We will only be accepting applications from candidates who currently live in or would be willing to relocate to the Washington, DC metro area.