Director, Education and Law

North-Carolina-Justice-Center; Raleigh (NC); Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 106,000; Full time

Job summary

The North Carolina Justice Center seeks a visionary Director of the Education and Law Project in Raleigh. Hybrid role leading strategy, staff, and partnerships to advance educational equity for all NC students.

You will direct litigation, policy initiatives, and coalition work, guiding high-impact legal strategies while stewarding organizational growth and cross-functional collaboration.

Qualifications

• J.D. from an accredited law school.
• Licensed to practice law in North Carolina or a state with reciprocal jurisdiction.
• Significant expertise in education law and civil rights, with experience in public interest litigation.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Education and Law Project's strategy, operations, and performance.
• Supervise attorneys and project staff; mentor and develop talent.
• Provide legal leadership through litigation, analysis, advocacy, and counsel on education law issues.
• Develop innovative strategies to advance educational equity via courts, policy, and community engagement.
• Represent the organization before courts, agencies, legislatures, and the media.

Skills

Leadership

Litigation

Policy advocacy

Strategic planning

Partnership building

Education

Juris Doctor (J.D.)

Licensed to practice law in NC or reciprocal jurisdiction

Active NC State Bar

Job description

Description

Shape the Future of Educational Opportunity in North Carolina

Director, Education and Law

North Carolina Justice Center | Raleigh, NC (Hybrid)

Hiring Range -$100K -106K

Reports To: Executive Director

The North Carolina Justice Center is seeking an accomplished attorney and inspiring leader to serve as the next Director of the Education and Law Project. This is an opportunity to lead one of North Carolina's most respected education advocacy teams while helping ensure that every child-regardless of race, income, disability, language, or zip code has access to a high-quality public education.

This role is for a leader who is equally comfortable developing legal strategy, mentoring a high-performing team, building coalitions, influencing public policy, and representing the organization as a trusted voice on educational equity.

If you are energized by complex legal work, collaborative leadership, and advancing systemic change, we'd like to meet you.

What You'll Lead

As Director, you will provide strategic leadership for the Education and Law Project while serving as one of the organization's senior legal experts. You will guide the project's vision, manage talented staff, strengthen partnerships across North Carolina, and help shape policies that improve educational outcomes for students and families.

Your work will include:

• Leading the overall strategy, operations, and performance of the Education and Law Project.
• Supervising, coaching, and developing attorneys and other project staff.
• Providing legal leadership through litigation, legal analysis, advocacy, and strategic counsel on complex education law issues.
• Developing and implementing innovative strategies that advance educational equity through the courts, public policy, and community engagement.
• Building strong relationships with clients, educators, advocates, policymakers, coalition partners, and community organizations.
• Managing project budgets, grants, contracts, and reporting requirements.
• Identifying and pursuing funding opportunities while partnering with development staff on grant proposals and funder engagement.
• Serving as a member of the Justice Center's Coordinating Council, contributing to organizational leadership, strategic planning, and cross-functional initiatives.
• Representing the Justice Center before courts, administrative agencies, legislative bodies, public forums, and the media.

What You Bring

We're looking for someone who combines legal excellence with collaborative leadership.

Required Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school.
• Licensed to practice law in North Carolina or a state with reciprocal jurisdiction
• Brings significant expertise in education law, with the ability to navigate complex legal issues while advancing equitable outcomes for students, families, and North Carolina public schools.
• Significant experience practicing law, with substantial experience in education law, civil rights, public interest litigation, or closely related fields.
• Demonstrated success leading teams, managing projects, and developing staff.
• Excellent litigation, legal writing, negotiation, and advocacy skills.
• Experience building partnerships across diverse communities and stakeholders.
• Strong strategic thinking, sound judgment, and exceptional communication skills.
• A demonstrated commitment to racial equity, educational opportunity, and the mission of the North Carolina Justice Center. ___________________________________________________________________________________

Preferred Qualifications

• Active member in good standing of the North Carolina State Bar.
• Experience with nonprofit leadership, legislative advocacy, impact litigation, grant- funded initiatives, and coalition building is highly valued.

Why This Role Matters

Educational opportunity shapes every other opportunity.

The Director of the Education and Law Project helps ensure that North Carolina's education system works for all students, not just those with the loudest voices or the greatest resources. Your leadership will influence litigation, public policy, organizational strategy, and statewide partnerships that improve educational access and outcomes for generations to come.

Why Join the North Carolina Justice Center?

At the Justice Center, you'll work alongside passionate colleagues committed to advancing economic justice and eliminating systematic barriers to opportunity. We believe meaningful change happens through collaboration, innovation, and a deep commitment to equity.

This position offers the opportunity to make lasting statewide impact while working in a mission-driven organization that values leadership, learning, and courageous advocacy.

The NC Justice Center is committed to a policy of equal employment opportunity for all persons without regard to race, color, creed, sex, religion, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, political affiliation, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, personal appearance, marital or family status, citizenship, past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services, genetic information, natural hair styles, or other status as protected by State and Federal laws.

We are a Fair Chance Employer and work to reduce barriers to employment for individuals with criminal records. It is our intention to promote the full realization of equality in opportunity and employment.

Ready to lead meaningful change?

We invite experienced legal leaders who are passionate about educational justice to apply and help shape a more equitable future for every child in North Carolina.