Director of Policy Implementation / Policy Implementation Associate, Education Rights Institute[...]

The Rector & Visitors of the University of Virginia; Charlottesville (VA); Hybrid; USD 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Competitive salary

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

The Rector & Visitors of the University of Virginia seeks a motivated attorney for the role of Director of Policy Implementation. This position focuses on empowering educational leaders, developing professional development initiatives around educational law, and promoting civil rights protections in education.

The ideal candidate will hold a J.D. from an ABA-approved law school and have a minimum of three years of experience. Candidates should be skilled in legal research, public speaking, and collaboration with various stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Three years of experience for Director role; none required for Associate role.
• Strong interpersonal and organizational skills are essential.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, detail-oriented environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead efforts to empower district leaders regarding Title VI.
• Develop and lead professional development opportunities.
• Mentor ERI student research assistants.

Skills

Legal research

Public speaking

Leadership

Communication

Education

J.D. from an ABA-approved law school

Job description

The Education Rights Institute (ERI) at the University of Virginia School of Law seeks a dynamic and collaborative attorney to join their team. The Director of Policy Implementation or Policy Implementation Associate will work under the direction of and closely with the Institute's Founder and Director, Professor Kimberly Jenkins Robinson.

Launched in 2023, ERI advances equal educational opportunity by engaging policymakers, K-12 educators, and families to support delivery of a high-quality public education in the United States. ERI accomplishes this goal by pursuing the following strategic priorities:

• Lead and amplify public discourse to advance a federal right to education and elevate the value of high-quality public schools for all.
• Expand district and educator capacity to interpret and implement protections against discrimination based on race, color, and national origin.
• Equip educators and district leaders to identify, measure, and close educational opportunity gaps along lines of class, race, and geography.
• Grow ERI's impact by securing diverse funding streams and cultivating a coalition of students, families, educators, scholars, and donors that champion high-quality public schools.

The Institute does not represent individual clients in legal proceedings or sue anyone.

Director of Policy Implementation and Policy Implementation Associate Responsibilities

Working with School Districts

• Collaborate with the ERI team to implement and serve as the lead contact for a new initiative to empower district and school leaders, educators, and staff to understand and improve implementation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VI) and other legal protections from discrimination based on race, color, and national origin.
• Participate during in-person and online professional development opportunities for school districts around Title VI and other legal protections against discrimination based on race, color, and national origin.
• Attend conferences and meet regularly with policymakers, school district staff and leadership, educators, and families. Meetings will be in‑person and remote.

Research and Writing

• Share in writing and editing responsibilities for reports, editorials, and other written content regarding Title VI and other legal protections against discrimination based on race, color, and national origin.
• Share responsibility for writing webinar scripts and recording video and webinar content.

Mentorship

• Mentor ERI student research assistants.

Other Duties as Assigned

• All team members regularly pitch in to support fundraising; strategic planning; event planning; communications; and other areas of operations.

Additional responsibilities for Director of Policy Implementation

• Develop content and lead both in‑person and online professional development opportunities for school districts around Title VI and other laws that protect students from race, color, and national origin discrimination.
• Develop and implement a plan for engagement with other organizations and scholars regarding ERI's mission.

Required Education and Experience for the Director of Policy Implementation

• Education: J.D. from an ABA‑approved law school or foreign equivalent.
• Three years of experience.
• Admission to a state bar by start date.

Preferred Experience for the Director of Policy Implementation

• Demonstrated experience applying legal principles to a variety of legal matters through legal research, analysis, and written and oral communication.
• Experience working with educators, school district leaders, and/or state and federal education leaders.
• Experience with public speaking and giving presentations to small and large audiences.
• Experience engaging with donors/fundraising.

Required Education and Experience for the Policy Implementation Associate

• Education: J.D. from an ABA‑approved law school or foreign equivalent.
• Experience: None required.

Preferred Experience for the Policy Implementation Associate

• One or more years of demonstrated experience applying legal principles to a variety of legal matters through legal research, analysis, and written and oral communication strongly preferred.
• Experience working with educators, school district leaders, and/or state and federal education leaders strongly preferred.
• Experience with public speaking and giving presentations to small and large audiences.
• Experience engaging with donors/fundraising.

At either level, the successful candidate will be able to work efficiently in a fast‑paced, detail‑oriented environment while managing multiple responsibilities. They will have strong interpersonal, organizational, and project management skills, and the ability to communicate clearly and work collaboratively with others to achieve common goals.

Physical Demands

This is primarily a sedentary job involving extensive use of desktop computers. The job does occasionally require traveling some distance to attend meetings and programs. This position will require the ability to travel domestically to partner with school districts, attend conferences, and collaborate with ERI partners. This position requires most work to be performed in person at the Law School in Charlottesville, Virginia, with the opportunity to perform a limited amount of work remotely in accordance with Law School policy.

Benefits and Compensation

Salary will be commensurate with education and experience. This is a full‑time, exempt‑level, University staff benefited position. This position is a gift‑funded restricted position contingent on funding and performance.

Application review will begin after July 6, 2026. This position is available for an immediate start date. Background checks will be conducted on all new hires prior to employment. This position will not consider candidates who require immigration sponsorship now or in the future.

How to Apply

Please apply online, by searching for requisition number R0084734. Complete an application with the following documents:

• Cover letter
• CV/resume
• Writing sample
• Names and contact information for three professional references. References will not be contacted without prior notice to the candidate.

***Please note that ALL REQUESTED documents MUST be uploaded in the resume submission field. Please combine all documents into one PDF.***

***Applications that do not have all the required documents will not receive full consideration.***

Internal applicants: Search and apply for jobs on the UVA Internal Careers website.

Questions regarding the position should be directed to Professor Kimberly Robinson at [e-mail].

For questions about the application process, please contact Jessica Russo, Senior Recruiter, [e-mail].

The University of Virginia School of Law is consistently recognized as one of the top law schools in the country. The environment at the Law School is both active and supportive, with a strong sense of collegiality among students, faculty, and staff and a commitment to excellence and service.

The University of Virginia is an equal opportunity employer. All interested persons are encouraged to apply, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Learn more about UVA's commitment to non-discrimination and equal opportunity employment.