Vice President, Litigation and Legal Strategy

National Immigration Law Center; La Verkin (UT); Remote; USD 154,000 - 194,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading nonprofit organization dedicated to immigrant rights seeks a Vice President of Litigation and Legal Strategy. This role requires a seasoned leader committed to advancing legal strategies in alignment with their mission, involving significant organizational leadership and collaboration efforts.

Qualifications

• 12+ years experience in strategy, litigation, immigrant rights.
• Active member in good standing of a state bar.
• Experience managing complex plans and projects.

Responsibilities

• Drive the execution and integration of NILC and IJF strategies.
• Engage key stakeholders and collaborate on advocacy efforts.
• Provide organization-wide leadership to ensure strategic alignment.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic Planning

Collaboration

Communication

Education

JD or advanced law degree

Job description

About the Organization

Founded in 1979, the National Immigration Law Center (NILC) is a leading non-profit organization (501(c)(3)) in the U.S. exclusively dedicated to defending and advancing the rights and opportunities of low-income immigrants and their loved ones. NILC’s mission is grounded in the belief that everyone living in the U.S. regardless of race, gender/gender identity, immigration status, or economic status — should have equal access to justice, resources, and educational and economic opportunities that enable them to achieve their full human potential. Together, NILC and the affiliated NILC Immigrant Justice Fund (IJF), a 501(c)(4) organization, work to advocate more directly for federal immigration reform policies. NILC is committed to advancing its mission — which intersects race, immigration status, and class — through racial, economic, and gender justice and equity orientation.

NILC is at an exciting moment in its organizational trajectory, supporting our five-year strategic framework and scaling the organization and its work through influencing systems, policy advocacy at the federal and state levels, engaging in movement and power building, and narrative and culture strategies in addition to continuous improvements to our operational model. We are looking for entrepreneurial, results-driven, relationship builders who are committed to NILC’s mission and values of racial justice & equity, valuing diversity, fostering partnerships & collaboration, encouraging respect & personal well-being, and striving for transparency, integrity, and honesty.

About the Position

The Vice President, Litigation and Legal Strategy (VPLLS) will serve as a critical member of the Senior Leadership Team and in partnership with the Executive Vice President, Advocacy, and the entire Advocacy team, the VPLLS will advance the mission and lead the on-going execution of NILC and sister 501(c)4 organization the Immigrant Justice Fund (IJF)’s strategic framework within the areas of litigation and legal strategy work. In collaboration with the organization’s advocacy vice presidents and directors, the VPLLS will lead the integration and implementation of NILC’s litigation strategies to advance the mission and NILC’s vision for impact via matrix workgroup structure. The VPLLS ensures alignment with policy, advocacy and campaigns work at NILC in collaboration with the Vice President, Strategy and Partnerships, Vice President, Policy, Vice President, Strategic Communications, and IJF. Working in partnership with members of the Senior and Executive Leadership Teams (SLT and ELT) and in collaboration with advocacy departments, this role will engender an organization-wide commitment to strategic clarity.

The successful VPLLS will refine and clarify organizational strategy—for themselves and for each strategy and function they oversee, ensuring that all employees understand the details of an evolving strategic framework and how their work connects to the organization's vision and impact.

This role is not a member of the Bargaining Unit.

The VPLLS will be responsible for providing leadership and driving success in the following key areas:

Specific Position Responsibilities

Organizational & Strategic Leadership

• Work closely with the EVP, Advocacy; VP, Strategy and Partnerships; VP, Policy; VP, Strategic Communications; and IJF and to develop a clear long-term vision and strategic direction for all (c)(3) and (c)(4) advocacy strategies and campaigns consistent with the strategic framework.
• Drive the execution and integration of NILC and IJF strategies on the Litigation and Legal Strategy team to support growth and mission impact, particularly in the areas of litigation, and via the matrix workgroup structure.
• As a member of the Senior Leadership team (SLT), provide the organizational leadership required to manage change and ensure strategic integration across legal, policy, advocacy and strategic partnerships, communications, development, and operations teams.
• Drive strategic assessment of progress toward outcomes and strategic objectives to achieve NILC and IJF's vision and communicate that progress to fellow executives and members of the board.
• Identify innovative solutions and strategies to gain visibility and opportunities for NILC and IJF.
• Support fundraising and development needs for the organization in collaboration with the VP, Development, Development team, and Executive Leadership Team (ELT) to develop shared understanding of fundraising strategies and support fundraising & development initiatives including writing or reviewing proposals for grant funding, meeting with funders, and other support as needed.
• Serve as a spokesperson with the media, present at national conferences, and other public speaking engagements that further NILC’s mission and advocacy strategies. ?
• Engage with key stakeholders, including movement partners, allies, donors, and board members to advance NILC’s priorities.
• Ensure strong organizational relationships and cross-organizational/cross-movement collaborative approaches are nurtured and/or deepened.
• Seek out external partnership and collaboration opportunities that align with NILC and IJF’s strategic plan.

Departmental Management & Execution

• Create and implement clear, concise, and measurable goals, expectations, and outcomes for staff of all levels on the Litigation and Legal Strategy team that support the NILC and IJF strategies.
• In partnership with the leadership teams, ensure integration with the organization’s programs and operations responsibilities include supporting, coaching, and developing individuals, and providing course-correcting guidance when necessary.
• Oversee implementation of legal and litigation strategies, providing guidance and support to teams driving the work, in a way that integrates narrative change, movement building, and legislative strategies, together with advocacy strategies.
• Support NILC & IJF’s organizational planning and prioritization process and work collaboratively with leaders across NILC & IJF to ensure priorities are successfully executed and objectives met on time.
• Work in partnership with the ELT, SLT, and Finance team to monitor and evaluate budgets and financial reports ensuring they are fiscally and administratively sound.
• Contribute to fostering a collaborative and results-oriented culture, with accountability for those directly carrying out NILC & IJF strategy.
• Ensure cross departmental work is aligned, working groups have larger vision and strategic framework at the core, ensuring Directors & SLT are aligned around bodies of work.
• May be a part of or lead cross functional/departmental projects using the MOCHA framework/methodology

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Recruits, interviews, hires, and trains staff.
• Oversees the daily workflow and productivity of the Litigation and Legal Strategy team.
• Acts as a coach and mentor including providing constructive and timely feedback to foster a collaborative environment that develops strengths, improves weaknesses, and encourages creative problem-solving.
• Actively manages direct and indirect reports using applicable performance management software including documenting regular check-ins, goal progress, and any other relevant information in the system for performance and coaching purposes.
• Directly and indirectly manages employees with the possibility for additional staff.
• Handles discipline and performance issues in accordance with organizational policy.
• Manages outside consultants, third party administrators, and vendors.

Shared Organization Responsibilities

• Champions NILC & IJF’s mission of advancing the rights of immigrants with low income by demonstrating a commitment to human rights, and racial, economic, and social justice
• Attends and actively participates in NILC meetings at the organization, department, project, and individual level
• Develops relationships and supports NILC and IJF colleagues across all teams, recognizing that each individual brings a unique background and perspective to the work and assuming good intent from each other.
• Follows through on commitments acting with a clear sense of ownership individually and collectively by taking personal responsibility for decisions, actions, and failures, establishing clear responsibilities and processes for monitoring work and measuring results, and designing feedback loops into work.
• Learns quickly when facing new situations by experimenting to find fresh solutions, taking on the challenge of unfamiliar tasks, and extracting lessons learned from failures and mistakes.
• Acts with integrity by following through on commitments, being direct and truthful, keeping confidences, and showing consistency between words and actions.
• Commits to centering NILC’s values of racial justice & equity, valuing diversity, fostering partnerships & collaboration, encouraging respect & personal well-being, and striving for transparency, integrity, and honesty in all decisions and actions

In recognition of the fluidity of the work and ecosystem that NILC operates in, other duties may be assigned depending on organizational need.

What We’re Looking for in This Role

• Commitment to NILC & IJF’s mission of advancing the rights of immigrants with low income and a demonstrated commitment to human rights, racial, economic, and social justice, and equity, diversity, inclusion, and justice for all
• Collaborative, proactive, and action-oriented working style with a strong service mentality promoting mutual accountability and inspiring trust and confidence from colleagues, other NILC team members, and NILC leaders alike
• Demonstrates sound judgment in decision-making, high integrity, and utmost respect for confidentiality
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills: ability to read, analyze, interpret, as well as create and update substantive written materials, demonstrated ability to engage in courageous conversations, ability to make complex legal and policy issues accessible to all audiences
• Self-starter with a strong strategic ability to move daily tasks forward in alignment with NILC’s broader organizational needs and goals
• Expertise in managing projects in progressive movement organizations
• Demonstrated ability to develop strategy and work collaboratively with teams in a mission-driven, culturally diverse organization committed to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Capacity to make difficult decisions with sound judgement in decision-making relating to organizational positions, coalition decisions, and allocations of resources. Ability to prioritize department resources among competing demands
• Ability to formulate clear strategy and plans to accelerate strategic framework into operational day-to-day legal work
• Uses knowledge of the judiciary and litigation and how strategies and tactics play out in the federal policy and litigation space to ensure the best possible outcomes.
• Excellent communication skills both orally and in writing with demonstrable success creating compelling proposals to secure grant funding, presenting complex programmatic information clearly and persuasively
• Recognizes each team member's unique background and perspective to achieve team goals in a positive and motivating working environment
• Develops team through coaching, feedback, exposure and stretch assignments
• An inclusive and responsive management style that places deep value on diverse perspectives and emphasizes the development and growth of team members and encourages learning and continued improvement
• Proficiency with in-office and virtual environments and software such as MS Office, internet research, and virtual collaboration tools.

Qualifications Required

• JD or advanced law degree and significant & relevant experience working in litigation and policy
• Active member in good standing of a state bar
• 12+ years of experience in strategy, litigation, immigrants’ rights, and other related fields within the social justice movement including deep leadership, supervisory, management experience, with at least four (4) years supervisory experience
• A track record in managing complex plans, projects, budgets, and deadlines that require coordination across multiple stakeholders
• Experience working with diverse audiences, including elected officials, community leaders, coalition partners and managing conflict
• Experience developing strong team dynamics with internal staff and external partners across the country through remote access/technology

Preferred Qualifications

• Expertise in immigrants’ rights or other public interest impact litigation or policy work strongly preferred.??
• Advanced policy degree a plus.
• Experience in nonprofit organizations.
• Previous experience with donor databases and/or CRMs
• Proficiency in non-English languages spoken by Latinx, Asian, Pacific Islander, African, Caribbean, and Arab communities preferred. Fluency in more than one language desirable.

At NILC, we know that talented people may have different backgrounds or experiences, and if your education and experience doesn’t exactly align with the above that’s okay! NILC believes that diversity in all dimensions of the organization supports and bolsters the innovative thinking?essential to its success?and?is committed to providing equal employment?opportunity?to all?qualified applicants.?NILC’s?goal is for our people to reflect the communities in which we live and serve and to ensure representation of people of color,?women,?veterans, and individuals with disabilities in our organization.?We encourage you to apply and let us know in your cover letter why you are qualified and the right fit for this role and NILC.

Work Environment

Location & Travel:

NILC's offices are located in Washington, D.C. For this role, up to 25% of overnight interstate travel may be required; travel is typically quarterly to the NILC Washington, DC office or another location within the US for 3-5 nights.

Remote work locations are as follows: (Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Georgia, Maryland, Montana, North Carolina, New Mexico, New York, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Virginia and Wisconsin). To be considered, applicants must live in one of the work locations.

Compensation & Benefits:

NILC’s compensation and benefits philosophy is to provide a competitive offering in the nonprofit sector and ensure equity across the organization. The salary range for this role is $154,900 - $193,600.

Physical Demands

• Remaining in a stationary position, often standing, or sitting for prolonged periods
• Communicating with others to exchange information.
• Repeating motions, like typing or answering a phone, that may include the wrists, hands?and/or fingers.