Regional Director

The American Civil Liberties Union of Florida (ACLU-FL) is seeking a dynamic leader to direct its Northwest Regional Office located in Pensacola.

The ACLU of Florida, the state's premier public advocacy organization, is a not-for-profit, nonpartisan organization that employs litigation, public policy advocacy, and public education and communications to protect and promote a broad range of constitutional values, including freedom of speech, racial justice, privacy, religious liberty, reproductive rights, LGBT rights, and immigrants' rights.

The ACLU of Florida's Northwest Regional Office, one of four ACLU offices in Florida, serves a multi-county area from Pensacola to Tallahassee. It is staffed by the Regional Director, a Regional Organizer, and a Staff Attorney who work collaboratively to implement the civil liberties priorities of the ACLU.

The ACLU of Florida's three Regional Directors are members of the senior leadership team and play a key role along with the Directors of Legal, Finance, Philanthropy, and Communications, and the Executive and Deputy Directors in shaping the work of the ACLU in Florida.

The ACLU-FL is an affiliate of the national ACLU, the leading defender of civil liberties guaranteed by our nation's Constitution and Bill of Rights. The national ACLU implements its vital civil liberties mission in all 50 states in large part through affiliate entities such as the ACLU-FL. The Florida affiliate has a $3.5M operating budget and 30 staff positions, placing it among the larger ACLU affiliates in the nation.

Job Description: The Regional Director is responsible for directing and expanding civil liberties initiatives in the Northwest region, including all phases of management, public policy advocacy, public relations, fundraising, and community organizing. S/he supervises the Regional Organizer and works closely with the affiliate's senior staff in Miami, Tampa and Jacksonville, as well as the staff attorney in Pensacola. The Regional Director is responsible organizing public education programs, public speaking, media appearances, contact with public officials, donor relations and fundraising, and managing the office. The Regional Director reports to the Deputy Director.

Qualifications: The Regional Director must be committed to the policies and goals of the ACLU, have a well-developed understanding of civil liberties and constitutional rights issues, and significant experience managing and implementing programs that address civil rights and civil liberties issues in community settings. Knowledge of the Florida Panhandle is a plus. The Director must have the ability to work with diverse communities, coalitions, and grassroots organizations, as well as demonstrated supervisory and management skills. Good writing, public speaking and people skills are a must. S/he also will help develop a civil liberties and civil rights legal docket in conjunction with the staff attorney in Pensacola and the affiliate Legal Director. The Regional Director, in cooperation with ACLU-FL Communications and other program staff, will represent the ACLU in public education efforts and to the media to advance the goals of the state affiliate. Fundraising skills are essential. The person must have the ability to work independently with flexibility for travel, including evenings and weekends. S/he must have transportation.

Preference will be given to applicants with management, public policy advocacy, and public speaking experience, and a demonstrated commitment to civil liberties, who possess the attributes necessary to run a Regional Office, and who will exemplify the ACLU's principles in interaction with the public and governmental officials. A familiarity with civil liberties issues and a commitment to the goals of the ACLU in defending and advancing civil rights and civil liberties is essential.

The ACLU is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and encourages applications from all qualified individuals including women, people of color, persons with disabilities, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals.