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The Position

The National Women’s Law Center seeks a Director of Educational Equity to lead its work to create safe, supportive schools for historically marginalized students, with a particular emphasis on girls from Black, Latina, Indigenous and immigrant communities, and pregnant and parenting students. The educational equity portfolio is currently divided into two primary lines of work:

• Bringing an intersectional racial and gender justice analysis to create better, safer, and more inclusive schools by reforming harsh and discriminatory discipline policies (e.g., banning suspensions for minor/subjective offenses, dress code reform, police-free schools) and ensuring schools provide the academic, social and emotional supports students need to thrive (e.g., increasing supports for mental health & student services, advocating for culturally sustaining curricula); and
• Enforcing Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972 to fight pregnancy discrimination in schools, informing pregnant and parenting students of their rights in schools, and advocating to expand those rights under federal and state law.

This work primarily focuses on students in K-12 schools, although includes higher education issues, as well. The Director also leads projects and advocacy related to the protection and advancement of gender-conscious/affirmative action programs in schools. All of these efforts are shaped by a gender justice and racial justice analysis and include a focus on the rights of LGBTQ students. The Director of Educational Equity sits on the Education & Workplace Justice program team.

The Organization

The National Women’s Law Center fights for gender justice — in the courts, in public policy, and in our society — working across the issues that are central to the lives of women and girls.

We use the law in all its forms to change culture and drive solutions to the gender inequity that shapes our society and to break down the barriers that harm all of us — especially those who face multiple forms of discrimination, including women and girls of color, LGBTQ people, and low-income women and families.

For almost 50 years, we have been on the leading edge of every major legal and policy victory for women, and we need you with us to continue this fight.

Responsibilities

• Shape strategies and priorities for the Center’s work related to the educational equity portfolio and other projects related to gender justice in education, including legal and policy work and (in partnership with the Law Center’s Marketing & Communications Team) narrative shift and culture change work;
• Engage with Congress, the administration, and state lawmakers on policy efforts related to educational equity and other issues related to gender justice in education;
• Direct and participate in NWLC’s response to legislative and regulatory proposals related to educational equity and other issues related to gender justice in education;
• Lead and collaborate with coalition partners in crafting and implementing strategies to forward policy priorities;
• Draft and edit written materials for a wide variety of audiences relating to legislative and regulatory proposals, such as legislative testimony, comments on proposed regulations, factsheets, blogs, reports, and talking points;
• Work with the Law Center’s research team to commission, analyze and present data related to educational equity in ways that are clear, compelling, and center the perspectives of directly impacted individuals;
• Build and maintain close working relationships with coalition partners and work to expand partnerships with new stakeholders;
• Engage girls as partners in advocacy around educational equity issues relevant to their own lives;
• Lead litigation and participate in drafting and editing amicus briefs related to educational equity and other gender justice in education issues;
• Participate in fundraising efforts for NWLC’s education work, including by providing input on grant proposals, meeting with potential funders, and providing timely project updates to the Development team;
• Represent the Law Center at public events, conferences, and in the media;
• Supervise staff and interns, and manage projects and staff supporting those projects, using project management strategies.

• Otherwise support the broader work of the Education & Workplace Justice team.

Qualifications

The candidate must possess:

• A law degree and admission to a state bar with ability to waive into the DC Bar if not already admitted;
• At least 7 years of relevant experience;
• Experience with supervising staff including delegating tasks, mentoring and providing feedback;
• Significant experience with and deep understanding of legal and policy issues related to school discipline reform, school climate, and/or civil rights in schools;
• Demonstrated ability to build trust and credibility with key stakeholders;
• Strong research, analytical, oral and written communication skills;
• Willingness and ability to travel up to 10% of the time;
• Creativity and initiative in identifying strategies to advance policy goals;
• Strong organizational and interpersonal skills;
• Demonstrated ability to influence and engage diverse audiences and to build long-term collaborative relationships with key organizational and individual partners;
• Collaborative and collegial approach, and an ability and desire to work in a team-based environment, and an orientation to the work that recognizes and values the contributions of all team members;
• Demonstrated commitment to and experience working on gender and racial equity and centering communities of color in the approach to work; and
• Experience working with communities of color, immigrant communities, LGBTQ communities, and/or disabled communities.

Key Relations

This position reports to the Vice President for Education & Workplace and works closely with members of the team as well as teams across the Law Center, including the Marketing & Communications Team and the Research Team. Current supervision responsibilities include two legal fellows.

Compensation & Benefits

A minimum salary of $116,433 will be provided to the successful candidate who has at least 7 years of experience directly relevant to this role, consistent with the National Women’s Law Center’s compensation framework, which is based on role and years of relevant experience.

The Center offers a comprehensive benefits package, and four weeks of annual vacation.

NWLC is a non-profit organization whose headquarters and staff are based in Washington, D.C., with our office located in historic Dupont Circle. However, due to the COVID-19 public health emergency, all NWLC staff are temporarily working remotely. We continue to monitor public health guidance and keep safety, science, and flexibility top of mind as we evaluate what reopening looks like for our team.

How to Apply

To apply for this position, please forward a resume and cover letter outlining your interests and qualifications as well as contact information for 3 references. Resumes should include exact start and end dates (month and year) of employment. Please send application materials via e-mail to: DirEdEquity2021@nwlc.org and include the position title in the subject line. Electronic submissions are preferred. Applications accepted until position is filled.

The National Women’s Law Center is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and values a diverse workforce. We strongly encourage and seek applications from people with disabilities; people of all gender identities and sexual orientations; people of color; and veterans.

Reasonable Accommodations

If you require reasonable accommodations during any part of the hiring process, please email us at ldiala@nwlc.org.