The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Florida is an affiliate of the national ACLU, a national public interest organization devoted to the defense of the Bill of Rights. For over 100 years, the ACLU has served as the nation’s primary protector of the liberties that define our democracy. The organization implements its vital civil liberties mission in all 50 states in large part through affiliate entities such as the ACLU of Florida. Operating on a $8.8 million budget out of six offices—Miami, Tampa, Orlando, Tallahassee, Jacksonville, and Pensacola—the Florida affiliate has 55 staff members, making it among the larger ACLU affiliates in the nation.
The ACLU of Florida is a non-profit, non-partisan, organization that employs litigation, public policy advocacy, communications, and organizing to protect and promote a broad range of individual rights and freedoms, including the freedom of speech, voting rights, racial justice, privacy, religious liberty, reproductive rights, LGBTQ rights, and immigrants’ rights.
The ACLU of Florida has adopted a “campaign” approach for its work. Work is focused on pursuing specific integrated advocacy campaigns to achieve measurable goals that will expand civil liberties and civil rights, while building the long-term power of the ACLU and the civil liberties movement. For the foreseeable future, the ACLU of Florida will focus on three campaigns: voting rights, criminal justice reform, and immigrants’ rights.
POSITION OVERVIEW
The ACLU of Florida seeks a dynamic, innovative, and seasoned professional to serve as its inaugural Chief Program Officer (CPO). The CPO reports directly to the Executive Director and is a member of a senior management team that also includes the Deputy Director for Operations, the Chief Financial Officer, and the Director of Philanthropy. The CPO leads the strategic direction, planning, and day-to-day management of the ACLU of Florida’s programmatic work. The CPO works closely with the Executive Director, other staff, ACLU of Florida chapters, and the board to achieve the ambitious goals for civil liberties and civil rights impact that the organization has adopted. The CPO designs and implements monitoring, evaluation, and learning processes to enhance programmatic results and impact. In addition, the CPO will collaborate with other staff in designing and maintaining an organizational culture that centers people directly impacted by ACLU work and that fosters equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging.
The CPO is primarily an internal-facing role and will directly supervise four senior organizational leaders from the ACLU of Florida’s programmatic departments: the Communications Director, Field Director, Legal Director, and Policy & Advocacy Director. These four programmatic departments have a combined staff of 36 FTEs. The CPO will provide leadership of the integrated advocacy campaigns that form the basis of the ACLU of Florida’s programmatic work.
This position may be based out of the organization’s Miami, Orlando, or Tampa office and will require frequent travel throughout Florida. The ACLU of Florida has a generous remote work policy, but regular in-office work is required.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Serve as a member of the ACLU of Florida executive team, adopting enterprise leadership principles to help shape organizational strategy, support the growth and culture of the organization, set a bold vision for programmatic work, and execute successful integrated advocacy campaigns.
- Provide strategic direction, leadership, and management of the ACLU of Florida’s four programmatic departments (Communications, Field, Legal, and Policy & Advocacy) to achieve mission impact, especially the attainment of goals in the organization’s three integrated advocacy campaigns (criminal justice reform, immigrants’ rights, and voting rights) and strategic plan.
- Directly supervise the Communications Director, Field Director, Legal Director, and Political Director.
- Provide support, guidance, mentorship, and coaching to programmatic staff.
- Work collaboratively with the Director of Philanthropy and programmatic staff to maintain working relationships with funders, pursue funding opportunities, and report on programmatic impact.
- Provide structure and support for internal collaboration, project management, progress, and outcome tracking in the programmatic departments, especially for the organization’s three priority integrated advocacy campaigns.
- Provide oversight to programmatic department directors in developing and monitoring annual budgets.
- Manage compliance by programmatic departments with legal, regulatory, and internal policy requirements as well as consistency with ACLU values.
- Develop and steward strong, effective strategic relationships and partnerships to achieve programmatic impact.
- Provide programmatic expertise in both substantive civil liberties/civil rights issues and strategic/tactical approaches to achieving meaningful victories in these issues.
- Identify priorities, gaps, and trends in program areas and make recommendations accordingly.
- In collaboration with the Deputy Director for Operations, lead learning and evaluation processes to enhance programmatic impact and ensure continuous improvement in organizational effectiveness.
- In collaboration with the Director of Statewide Initiatives, ensure robust engagement of ACLU of Florida chapters in programmatic work.
- Create and support a high-performing work culture that centers people directly impacted by ACLU work and that is characterized by equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging.
- Although serving primarily in an internal-facing role, act as a spokesperson and public face for the ACLU of Florida, as appropriate.
QUALIFICATIONS
- At least five (5) years of senior level experience in non-profit, policy advocacy, advocacy-related communications, political management, civil rights law, or related field. Experience in designing and executing integrated advocacy campaigns is required.
- Applicants must demonstrate experience in/strong familiarity with at least two (2) of the four key programmatic areas – communications, field/organizing, legal, and policy/advocacy.
- At least four (4) years of experience supervising staff.
- Bachelor’s degree. This requirement can be substituted for with an additional two (2) years of experience.
- A history of working collaboratively and successfully with people and organizations from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds and a broad range of ideological positions and religious views.
- Strong written and oral communications skills.
- Exceptional organization skills; highly detail-oriented with strong follow-through and the ability to unfailingly meet tight deadlines.
- Experience with and a high degree of comfort working with technology.
- Ability to work independently when necessary and keep organized in a fast-paced environment, manage multiple projects simultaneously and adjust to frequently changing demands.
- Creative, results-oriented, self-starting, and willing to learn.
- Strong task and time management skills.
- Ability to travel across Florida, as necessary, and participate in regular evening and weekend meetings.
- Fluency in Spanish or Kreyol preferred, but not required.
- Unwavering commitment to the mission and goals of the ACLU, including a demonstrated commitment to equity and racial justice.
Salary is based on the ACLU of Florida’s comprehensive compensation scale. Compensation will be commensurate with experience, within a salary range of $105,000-$141,000. The ACLU of Florida offers excellent benefits, including medical and disability insurance (fully paid by employer), a defined contribution pension plan, and generous vacation, holiday, and sick leave.
To apply, send a cover letter, resume, and professional writing sample of 2-4 pages via email to [email protected] including in the subject line: “Chief Program Officer.” In your cover letter, please indicate where you learned of this posting. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. No phone calls or in-person applications, please.
This job description provides a general but not comprehensive list of the essential responsibilities and qualifications required. It does not represent a contract of employment. The ACLU of Florida reserves the right to change the job description and/or posting at any time without advance notice.
The ACLU of Florida is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. The ACLU of Florida encourages applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, or veteran status. We encourage formerly incarcerated individuals to apply. If selected for an interview, please inquire if financial assistance is needed in order to attend.
The ACLU of Florida undertakes affirmative action strategies in its recruitment and employment efforts to ensure that persons with disabilities have full opportunities for employment in all positions. Fluency in Spanish or Creole is desired but not required.