The position will remain open until filled. Interviews will be scheduled on a rolling basis. The American Civil Liberties Union of Maryland /ACLU Foundation of Maryland seeks a dynamic leader with the capacity to build, support the development and oversee its programmatic efforts through shared oversight with the Executive Director. Programs include legal, public policy, engagement and mobilization, communications, and operations. Each program is executed by schemes and tactics that are directly linked to the organizations five-year strategic operating plan. This is a full-time position based in Baltimore City. The ideal candidate will be a transformative leader who flourishes in a fast-paced environment and can effectively manage change in addition to multiple issues and projects simultaneously. They will enjoy mentoring staff and encouraging broad growth and cohesion among multiple teams. They will be comfortable operating as a second in command in the absence of the executive director to ensure the successful organizational operations are not incumbered or delayed. They will have a demonstrated commitment to advancing racial equity, substantial pragmatic management and administration experience, knowledge about civil rights, and experience in working with local, state, and national partner organizations and community allies. They are a thoughtful leader who values and respects differences of race, ethnicity, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, ability, and socio-economic circumstance, and they actively work to foster an equitable and inclusive experience for everyone in their work. As a member of the Senior Leadership Team and Management Committee, the Deputy Executive Director will advise the Executive Director and colleagues on programmatic direction, alignment and quality considerations consistent with ACLU-MD's strategic priorities. The Deputy Executive Director will advance ACLU of MD's broad civil rights and civil liberties agenda, using a race equity lens for internal operations and external programs. They will collaborate with and support managers and their teams in facilitating strategic decision making, communication, and alignment across all programs. The position will have oversight for implementing the organization's 2024 strategic plan, collaborating with senior leaders, managing litigation, legal advocacy, communications, engagement & mobilization, and public policy advocacy. The role consists of identifying, planning, and directing activities to achieve desired outcomes for ACLU-MD's programmatic priorities: education, government accountability, immigrants' rights, individual autonomy, legal justice system, and voting rights. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS, DUTIES, AND RESPONSIBILITIES The information provided below encompasses the essential functions and capabilities linked with this position: Identify needs for, develop, modify, and maintain team policies, procedures, and other guidance documents, including incorporating best practices and addressing changes in the legal landscape and cultural environment. Disseminate, implement, and enforce organization and team standards, policies, and procedures, including providing proper guidance to those carrying out related duties. Develop, implement, and administer annual team budget. Develop and execute plans and strategies to meet team goals and objectives, and assist with the development of organizational goals, objectives, and strategies. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES The individual in this position is expected to engage in the following work-related activities: Functions Assess programming and infrastructure to recommend where resources (eg, funds, talent, partnerships) are needed to close gaps across departments and program areas to maximize ACLU-MD's overall effectiveness. Collaborate with staff colleagues, board members, community partners, and other stakeholders to address issues, coordinate activities, and resolve problems or programmatic matters that impact multiple areas to ensure a consistent and coordinated effort and message. Advise Management Committee and strategic planning leadership team in reviewing programmatic goals and ensuring departments are tracking and focusing on their identified outcomes and measures of the 2024 Strategic Plan. Analyze programs to evaluate the performance of the organization and its staff in meeting objectives, determine areas of potential cost reduction, identify opportunities to strengthen cross-departmental planning and implementation. Ensure programmatic goals are achieved through follow up, coordination, and trouble-shooting as needed with management colleagues. In collaboration with department directors, advise in developing programmatic budgets. Foster inclusive planning processes and facilitate effective communications across all teams, departments, and programs. Represent the organization during important contract negotiations. Has the authority to commit the employer in matters that have significant financial impact. In consultation with the Board President, assume responsibilities of the Executive Director in their absence. Strategic Planning Support Executive Director in providing strategic direction on priority programs and initiatives. Manage, assess, and evaluate operations for programs and projects to enhance the organization's capacity to mobilize, advocate, and communicate on issues related to priority programs and projects. Advise and coordinate expert teams for: Education, Government Accountability, Immigrants' Rights, Individual Autonomy, Legal Justice System, and Voting Rights. Coordinate with department directors (Communications, Engagement and Mobilization, Legal, Public Policy) to ensure work is supported appropriately by assigned teams, and workplans/timelines are aligned with identified outcomes and measurements. Develop and execute strategies to meet ongoing annual operating plans, and assist with developing organizational and departmental goals, objectives, and strategy. Disseminate, implement, and enforce organization and department standards, policies, and procedures, including providing proper guidance to those carrying out related duties. Plan and provide guidance for major program/project activities that require cross-department collaboration, recommend initiatives in response to political and legal developments, and ensure program projects and activities are aligned with ACLU-MD's legislative and policy agenda. Identify external resources, partners, and experts who can inform and support our planning and work across the state. Management & Supervisory Responsibility This position is a management team position that encompasses the supervisory responsibility described above. Members of the management team are responsible for managing matters of significance directly related to the organization. They exercise discretion and independent judgment for the organization. This position customarily and regularly directs the work of at least two or more full-time employees or their equivalent. Responsibilities may include but are not limited to: Board Meetings: attends and speaks on behalf of the department. Business Operations: commits to or makes recommendations/decisions that have a significant impact on general business operations, finances, plan/control budgets, and team decisions. Strategic Planning: participates in planning both long/short-term objectives for the organization. Contract Negotiations: represents the management team during union negotiations. Policies and Procedures: Formulates, interprets, or implements management policies or standard operating procedures with authority to waive or deviate without prior approval. In addition to the management team responsibilities, they include but are not limited to: Supervising Work Activities: assigning, directing, planning, scheduling, defining methods, providing resources to ensure organizational objectives are achieved. Recruitment and Separation: aides in staffing selection, hiring, and terminations. Training: facilitates internal mentoring and staff development activities colleagues, Promotes and values equity, diversity, and inclusion among staff. Compensation: aides in the decision-making process in promotions, demotions, and job transfers and advises Executive Director in the compensation decision-making process. Performance Management: provides job performance feedback, conducts performance reviews, and staff progressive discipline. Employee Relations, Safety, and Security: responds to employee complaints and grievances as well as promotes employee health, safety, and security and adherence to ACLU-MD policies, procedures, Handbook, and Collective Bargaining Agreement. POSITION QUALIFICATIONS Minimum-Entry Qualifications Values Agreement: Demonstrated personal commitment to advancing the ACLU's values, mission, goals and programs, with an understanding of the range of civil rights and civil liberties issues and their implications through previous experiences. Race Equity Commitment: Demonstrated commitment to racial equity, dismantling white supremacy, and incorporating a structural power analysis into work. Must have knowledge and understanding of how power is manifested in matters of race, ethnicity, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, religion, ability and socio-economic circumstances. Typical Education & Work Experience: (Relevant experience will substitute for required education at a rate of one-year relevant experience per year of required education.) Bachelor's Degree or equivalent. A minimum of 7 to 10 years' experience in a similar position, or equivalent combination of education and experience. At least 5 years of experience managing people. At least 3 years in a leadership role in a social justice, advocacy, or political environment. Typical Functional Experience: Experience managing issue-based, policy-advocacy, or electoral campaigns incorporating grassroots organizing and creative communications strategies; and supervising full-time advocates/activists showing the ability to inspire and motivate teams to work with a clear direction and purpose. Excellent writing and communication skills as a public spokesperson and advocate; a "quick study" on an array of civil rights/civil liberties issues, including the ability to analyze and communicate complex issues to a variety of audiences. Proven ability to build and nurture a calm and positive working environment, especially in high-intensity situations. Ability to listen and appreciate different perspectives, and adjust approach as needed to support colleagues and other stakeholders. Experience working in multi-racial coalitions, including navigating political dynamics among partner groups and individuals with lived experience of ACLU-MD priorities. Demonstrated ability to manage simultaneous projects, and adapt strategy to changing demands. Demonstrated management experience managing budgets, supervising/leading teams, and fulfilling multiple priorities and projects effectively within budget and time guidelines. Exceptional interpersonal skills: effective communications, listening, writing, and conflict resolution skills are required. Ability to solve problems creatively, think strategically and conceptually to identify complex problems and review related information to develop and evaluate options and implement productive solutions. Facility with project management tools and various workplace technologies. Ability to travel as needed across the state, including to Annapolis when the Maryland General Assembly is in session. Familiarity with Maryland preferred. Assign, review, plan, and coordinate the work of employees. Evaluate employee job performance. Provide instruction and training and to respond to employee problems. Recommend/approve the discipline or discharge of an employee. Recommend/approve the selection, promotion or transfer of an employee. Technical Aptitude: Maintain advanced working knowledge of office-related software, including Apple and Microsoft office products and any industry-specific technology or other internet research tools. Work Schedule & Travel Obligation: Ability to frequently travel locally, regionally, and nationally as needed. Ability to frequently work days, evenings, weekends, and nights as needed. Bonus Considerations The following are the desired competencies, characteristics, or traits for this position: Master's Degree or equivalent post-secondary credentials acceptable. COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS Salary is commensurate with experience ($135,000.00 to $150,000.00). Excellent benefits include three weeks paid vacation at time of hire (increasing to four weeks after two years); 13 paid office holidays; 12 paid sick days, telework and flex-time, generous medical insurance including two health, dental and vision insurance options for staff members, their dependents and spouse/domestic partner; flexible spending accounts employee assistance plan; six weeks of paid medical leave, life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance, short-term disability and long-term disability insurance; and 401(k) defined contribution retirement plan with employer match, free on-site parking, additional commuter benefits with access to commuter rail station. Direct exposure to cutting-edge civil liberties and civil rights work. This is a position that is exempt from the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act. DEADLINE / START DATE The position will remain open until filled. Interviews will be scheduled on a rolling basis. HOW TO APPLY Please submit a cover letter, resume, three professional references, and a short (no longer than 5 pages) writing sample and/or work sample at this website . We discourage applicants from applying through third party websites. Early applications are strongly encouraged. It will not be possible for us to respond to telephone or email inquiries. Resumes or applications sent via other avenues will not be considered. THE ORGANIZATION ABOUT THE ACLU OF MARYLAND The ACLU of Maryland is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to diversity and inclusion in our work and on our teams. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, gender, sexual orientation or preference, gender identity and expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran, or formerly incarcerated person status. Persons with disabilities may request accommodations. The ACLU of Maryland makes every effort to assure that its recruitment, selection, hiring and employment practices provide all qualified persons, including persons with disabilities, with full opportunities for employment in all positions. The ACLU of Maryland is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual with a disability and need assistance applying online, please email human resources at HR@aclu-md.org . If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request an accommodation for the interview process. The ACLU of Maryland is a non-partisan, non-profit public interest organization devoted to protecting civil rights and civil liberties. The ACLU of MD is an affiliate of the national ACLU, a key defender of civil liberties guaranteed by the Bill of Rights. The ACLU works in the courts, legislature and in communities to defend and expand individual rights and personal freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and civil rights laws. The ACLU of Maryland is committed to centering race equity in our work, internally and externally, in order to better support and be accountable to communities of color, whose civil rights and civil liberties are systematically threatened by white supremacy. https://www.aclu-md.org/sites/default/files/aclu-md_pt-ca_deputy_executive_director.pdf What will you give to ensure "WE THE PEOPLE" means all of us? Enter the password to open this PDF file: