Deputy Law & Policy Director

Overview

The New Jersey Institute for Social Justice is in a season that demands both courage and discipline.

As the racial justice sector contracts nationally, the conditions that gave rise to our work — structural inequality, attacks on democracy, barriers to wealth, justice and opportunity — have only deepened.

In this moment, durable progress will be shaped by institutions capable of building power, telling the truth, shaping narrative, and advancing structural change at the state and local level.

It will be carried by institutions like the Institute that are strong enough to fight and build at the same time — institutions capable of building power from the ground up while sustaining the infrastructure necessary for durable change.

The Institute has grown significantly in recent years — in the size of our team, budget, influence, and statewide impact. We are implementing the recommendations of the first-of-its-kind New Jersey Reparations Council, advancing our racial justice advocacy and expanding our litigation capacity. We are deepening our presence in communities across New Jersey and helping shape a national conversation about the role of states in advancing racial justice.

Position Summary

The Deputy Law and Policy Director will serve as a senior leader responsible for overseeing the coordination, execution, and day-to-day management of the Institute’s legal and policy agenda. Reporting to the Law and Policy Director, this role provides operational and strategic leadership across the Institute’s programmatic pillars, advancing advocacy campaigns, supervising staff, and strengthening cross-functional collaboration. The Deputy Law & Policy Director provides direct supervision to team members, which may include Program Directors, Community Organizing staff, Litigation staff, or others as assigned.

The Deputy Law and Policy Director will lead internal program operations, support strategic advocacy initiatives, and help align legal, policy, communications, and development efforts to maximize organizational impact. This role requires a proactive and solutions-oriented leader who can manage complex projects, mentor staff, and drive initiatives forward in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Program Execution

• Help lead the implementation of the Institute’s strategic vision for legal and policy programs, including legislative advocacy, public education initiatives, strategic campaigns, and litigation support as needed.

• Drive day-to-day execution and coordination across pillars to ensure alignment with organizational priorities and goals.

• Lead internal Programs Team meetings, planning discussions, cross-functional initiatives, and regular programmatic check-ins.

• Identify ownership and accountability for shared responsibilities and cross-departmental initiatives.

• Monitor progress on strategic priorities and proactively address operational or programmatic challenges.

• Support the development and execution of advocacy campaigns and grassroots engagement strategies.

• Ensure strong coordination and communication across legal, policy, communications, development, and operations teams.

Staff Management & Team Leadership

• Recruit, supervise, mentor, and support policy and legal staff, including attorneys, policy analysts, fellows, interns, and other junior team members.

• Conduct regular staff check-ins and provide clear, timely, and constructive feedback.

• Lead Programs Team evaluation processes and support staff growth through coaching and professional development opportunities.

• Foster a collaborative, respectful, and high-performing workplace culture rooted in teamwork, accountability, and shared purpose.

• Identify and coordinate training and leadership development opportunities for staff.

• Support the professional development and advancement of junior staff members.

Advocacy, Communications & External Engagement

• In partnership with the Communications Team, help lead the development, review, and dissemination of advocacy and public education materials, including reports, talking points, op-eds, press materials, public education resources, campaign messaging and communications strategies.

• Review and edit research reports, policy briefs, flyers, presentations, and public-facing materials to ensure consistency, quality and strategic alignment.

• Coordinate closely with the Development Team on grant proposals, reports, funder communications and program updates.

• Represent the Institute in coalition meetings, advocacy spaces, public forums, and strategic partnerships as appropriate.

Operations & Internal Coordination

• Strengthen internal communication systems and improve coordination across teams and initiatives.

• Ensure smooth execution of programmatic operations, timelines, and deliverables.

• Help establish systems and processes that improve collaboration, accountability, and organizational effectiveness.

• Support internal planning, priority-setting, and organizational alignment efforts.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Juris Doctor (JD) required.

• Minimum of 7–10 years of experience in legal advocacy, public policy, civil rights, nonprofit leadership or related fields.

• Member of the New Jersey bar or eligible to waive into, or able to obtain New Jersey Bar admission within one year of hire.

• Demonstrated experience leading advocacy campaigns, grassroots organizing efforts or movement-building initiatives.

• Significant experience supervising, mentoring and developing staff and teams.

• Strong understanding of legislative advocacy, policy development, coalition building and strategic communications.

• Exceptional writing, editing and drafting with the ability to produce and refine high-quality, empirically-grounded advocacy materials.

• Strong project management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to build strong relationships across departments and with external stakeholders.

• Ability to operate strategically while also managing day-to-day execution and operational details.

• Commitment to the Institute’s mission and demonstrated passion for racial, social, and economic justice.

Compensation:
This is a full-time, exempt position with a salary range of $160,000–$180,000, commensurate with experience.

Benefits:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance – Eligible from day one with 85% employer contribution.

• Employer-Paid Life Insurance.

• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) – Includes medical, commuter, and dependent care plans.

• Medical Reimbursement Plan.

• 401(k) Plan – Eligible after 90 days of employment with a 3% safe harbor contribution.

• Generous Paid Time Off – Vacation, sick, personal, and holiday leave.

Application Process:
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled. To be considered, attach all required documents to this job posting.

For inquiries, please contact our recruitment team at recruitment@njisj.org, ensuring that you reference the specific position in your email.

About the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice:
Founded in 1999 by Alan V. and Amy Lowenstein, the Institute builds reparative systems that create wealth, transform justice, and expand democratic power from the ground up.

The Institute’s racial justice work—driven by a dynamic team and stellar Board of Trustees—has become a national model for states as places to build community power.

Through an integrated strategy that weaves together community organizing, research, public education, narrative change, advocacy and litigation, the Institute turns people power into durable change.

The Institute advocates for systemic reform that is at once transformative, achievable in the state, and replicable in communities across the nation.

The New Jersey Institute for Social Justice is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to advancing racial and social justice and fostering an inclusive workplace where diverse perspectives and lived experiences are valued. We encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply and make employment decisions without regard to any characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. Reasonable accommodations are available throughout the hiring process for qualified individuals with disabilities.