Director of Policy

ABOUT THE INNOCENCE PROJECT

The Innocence Project works to free the innocent, prevent wrongful convictions, and create fair, compassionate, and equitable systems of justice for everyone. Our work is guided by science and grounded in anti-racism. Since our inception, the Innocence Project has used DNA and other scientific advancements to prove wrongful conviction. To date, we have helped to free or exonerate more than 200 people who, collectively, spent more than 3,600 years behind bars. Our efforts have led to the passage of more than 200 transformative state laws and federal reforms. Today, the Innocence Project continues to fight for freedom, drive structural change, and advance the innocence movement. To learn more, please visit www.innocenceproject.org.

ABOUT THE POSITION

The Director of Policy serves as a key organizational leader, and drives the Innocence Project's advocacy to ensure that the criminal legal system is equitable, accurate and reliable, and that state and federal law, policy, and practice do not compromise the quality of justice and lead to the conviction of innocent people.

Responsible for the overall management of a department, the Director of Policy develops department strategy and sets its goals, anticipating and acting on opportunities for growth in the Innocence Projects' policy work. Equally as important, the Director manages staff to achieve these goals with a commitment to supporting growth and development, while modeling our values of an inclusive and respectful workplace, and encouraging the same from staff. In addition, the Director will report on progress toward goals to the critical stakeholders, including the board, funders, and staff, among others.) The ideal candidate is dedicated to criminal legal system reform, social justice and anti-racism. They are an inclusive, collaborative, and people-centered leader with a deep knowledge of the U.S. criminal legal system.staff. All Innocence Project employees must embrace, respect and value the rich diversity of perspectives and experience of a diverse and heterogeneous staff. We recognize and appreciate that our work is better for having varied participants and thought partners.

The Director of Policy reports to the Chief Program Officer (CPO) and also works closely with the Executive Director and the Co-Founders. The Director of Policy manages a team of 11 full-time staff, as well as consultants with state-based lobbying firms, public relations firms, and federal lobbyists. While it is true some of the job is federal work, the lion's share is working on state-based reform.

The duties of this position require some work to be performed in-office. We currently have a hybrid in-office model, with most employees in the office three days per week and the remainder of the week remotely. Wednesday is our organization’s “anchor day” where all staff works in the office. The number of required in-office days is subject to change. 

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

ORGANIZATIONAL LEADERSHIP:

• In direct partnership with the CPO, participate in the Innocence Project's strategic planning to define overarching organizational goals and in collaboration with senior leaders, create the vision and develop strategies for expanding the IP's policy agenda to broaden impact on addressing wrongful convictions and the inequities in the criminal legal system.
• Serve as an organizational thought-leader on relevant criminal legal system policy issues, and act as a visible spokesperson for the Innocence Project in public forums, task forces, commissions, the press, and meetings.
• Maintain an active leadership role at the Innocence Project, including regular collaboration with colleagues in other departments to achieve mutual goals and to further communication and cooperation.
• Liaise and provide strategic advice and support on policy initiatives to other Innocence Network organizations.
• Create strategies and messaging to identify and advance priority policy issues and identify opportunities for broad-based stakeholder and political support for such issues.
• Coordinate and collaborate with staff, Innocence Network organizations, and external allies to plan and implement effective multi- disciplinary and integrated advocacy policy initiatives, involving a combination of policy, legal, communication, public education, and organizing strategies. Team Management
• Serve as a mentor, manager, and coach to the policy team; inspire and support the division as a whole.
• Set annual departmental goals and track and monitor performance of staff towards achieving goals; enhance and encourage opportunities for personal and professional leadership development.
• Manage a team of advocates to initiate and lead state-level advocacy campaigns on priority issues, such as creating or amending statutory, executive order and court rule vehicles for post conviction innocence claims to be heard; pretrial justice reform, including discovery reform; eliminating the trial penalty; police & prosecutorial practice and accountability reforms; compensating the wrongfully convicted, etc.

STRATEGIC POLICY AND ADVOCACY LEADERSHIP:

• Manage federal advocacy strategies on appropriations, federal grant programs and other Congressional action on wrongful conviction-related issues and manage related lobbyist contracts.
• Oversee, lead, or advise state-based legislative campaigns, which can include creating or amending statutory, executive order or judicial vehicles, on a range of innocence issues including pretrial justice reform, eliminating the trial penalty, creating mechanisms for people to prove their innocence and receive compensation.
• Develop and nurture partnerships with external stakeholders, including policymakers, allied organizations, stakeholders, community organizations, Innocence Network organizations, racial justice organizations, etc. Build and/or work with varied and diverse coalitions at the state and local levels.
• Develop and monitor the annual department budget, ensuring that expenditures are in line with strategic goals
• Prepare written materials in collaboration with the communications director, including action alerts, talking points, issues briefs, policy reports, op eds, and website content
• Consult with policy subject matter experts, including directly impacted people, and facilitate their voices being heard by decision makers at the federal, state and local level.
• Analyze and track legislation, draft legislation and amendments, and prepare and deliver written and oral testimony.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• Advanced degree in law, public policy or a related field.
• 15+ years of relevant professional experience, including deep criminal legal expertise.
• Minimum eight years of experience directing successful issue-oriented state-based lobbying and/or advocacy campaigns ideally in a nonprofit legal organization.
• Minimum five years of managing staff; a successful track record as a unifying team builder who inspires collaboration.
• Demonstrated ability to engage effectively in strategic planning and to set priorities and goals. Ability to think broadly and conceptually.
• Possesses the vision to build a strategic, integrated advocacy program through a broad range of short- and long-term political and lobbying tactics.
• Understanding of the state and federal legislative process, political strategic planning, and the ability to build respectful relationships across the political spectrum.
• Experience using an array of strategies for change, including advocacy, research, policy reform, litigation, and strategic communications; an appreciation of the value of social media for leveraging social justice.
• Deep knowledge of the U.S. criminal legal system. Familiarity with post conviction procedure preferred.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the U.S.

KEY COMPETENCIES + VALUES

• Passionate and demonstrated commitment to criminal legal system reform, social justice, anti-racism, and equity and to the Innocence Project's goals, mission, and values; shares our values of accountability, collaboration, empathy + compassion, equity, person-centeredness, quality focus, and self-awareness
• Enthusiasm for the work of the Innocence Project and for social justice, including a demonstrated commitment to criminal legal system reform
• Open and consultative management style, with a focus on team building and creating a culture of belonging and inclusion
• Collegial, collaborative management style and demonstrated commitment to the value and power of teams and staff
• Ability to delegate and prioritize multiple responsibilities and inspire teams to meet high expectations
• Leadership grounded in accountability, humility, and empathy, and the ability to work with multidisciplinary staff in a collaborative, productive, and fast-paced work environment.
• Demonstrated success working with groups of diverse individuals in respectful, equitable, and inclusive ways
• Excellent analytical skills, particularly as they relate to policy and legislation.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; a strong public presence, with the ability to listen, communicate effectively, coach, shepherd, and support people to achieve shared goals
• Excellent project management skills, with the capacity to remain organized amidst multiple competing demands
• Experience with developing and managing a budget.

COMPENSATION, BENEFITS & PERKS

Compensation: $199,750 - $235,000 depending on experience. The Innocence Project also offers an excellent benefits package, including fully-paid individual health, dental and vision insurance, Flexible Spending Account, 401k plan with 6% company-match, paid disability and family care leave, adoption and fertility expense reimbursements, and company-paid transportation benefits.

WORKFORCE DIVERSITY AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

The Innocence Project considers the diversity of its workforce to be vital to our organization's success in meeting its mission. We strongly encourage applicants from all cultures, races, educational backgrounds, life experiences, socio-economic classes, sexual orientations, age, gender, and physical abilities to apply. Individuals with personal connections to the criminal legal system are strongly encouraged to apply.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, it is our policy not to discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, familial status, marital status, predisposing genetic characteristics, actual or perceived domestic violence victim status, unemployment status, caregiver status, or any other category protected by law. We are interested in every qualified candidate who is eligible to work in the United States. However, we are not able to sponsor visas.

Like The Innocence Project, our recruitment partner On-Ramps is deeply committed to equity. OnRamps believes social change happens when people with a wide range of backgrounds, experiences, and identities come together with a common purpose. On-Ramps is committed to the inclusion of all qualified individuals in the hiring process, including but not limited to those with disabilities. If you require reasonable accommodation(s) to participate in the application or interview process, please contact info@on-ramps.com.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

We have partnered with recruitment firm OnRamps for this search. To apply, please visit https://www.on-ramps.com/open-positions/3181.