Director of Birth Control Access

The Position

The National Women’s Law Center seeks a Director of Birth Control Access on the Reproductive Rights and Health (RRH) Team to lead federal and state initiatives related to protecting and expanding access to contraception. The Director will focus on federal and state legal and policy efforts, drawing upon deep issue and strategic expertise to identify and create initiatives around access to contraception. The Director plays a key leadership role that includes strategic thinking, creative and persuasive advocacy, consulting on litigation strategy, and advancing NWLC’s leadership on contraception issues in coalition spaces. The Director is expected to contribute to the Center’s broader goals of gender equality and justice, and may have opportunities to provide input across programs and teams.

This is a full-time, exempt role of 37.5 hours per week.

The Organization

The National Women’s Law Center (NWLC) 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 women of color, LGBTQIA+ people, and low-income women and families. 

For more than 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. Find out more at NWLC.org. 

Responsibilities

• Lead legal and policy analysis primarily on contraception access-related initiatives in response to requests from federal and state policymakers and in response to proposed rules and other agency initiatives, including by assigning roles, managing team, and helping with drafting, reviewing, and outreach as needed;
• Identify opportunities to increase access to birth control, and strategize for legislative and/or policy solutions to realize those opportunities;
• Build and maintain relationships with key Administration officials, members of Congress and their staff, and other federal and state policymakers, as well as allied corporate partners;
• Work in partnership with other members of the RRH, Campaigns & Communications, Strategy & Policy, and Research teams as well as with broader Center staff to advance our priorities. This includes close partnership in particular with the RRH litigation team;
• Manage RRH staff working on federal and state birth control issues to advance our priorities, maintain and grow our partnerships with state and federal advocates, complete grant deliverables, and support the RRH team’s and Center’s broader goals, including advancing equity in our work and within the team;
• Play key role in NWLC’s fundraising, including grant requests, report drafting, and relationship-building with funders;
• Work with VP to develop and manage annual budget as it relates to specific initiatives within this portfolio;
• Monitor medical and scientific developments and published research on the topic of contraception and other Center related priorities as they may emerge;
• Represent NWLC in coalition spaces and play a leadership role in the coalition around contraceptive access issues and other such coalitions as may be needed to support the Center’s goals;  
• Conceive, draft, and oversee development of written products, legislative testimony, talking points, letters, and other materials for key stakeholders including policymakers, coalition partners, and other NWLC staff and leadership; 
• Bring a commitment to justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion to both internal and external work;
• Represent NWLC in press interviews, at public events, conferences, and meetings.

Qualifications

The candidate must possess:

• A law degree (J.D.) and a minimum of seven years of relevant experience;
• Admission to a state Bar with ability to waive into the DC Bar if not already admitted;
• Demonstrated experience in developing and implementing strategies and tactics to advance policy and legal positions, including influencing and engaging key stakeholders; 
• A strong understanding of the U.S. health insurance system and public health safety net programs, challenges within the existing systems, and visions for improving the systems;
• A strong understanding of administrative process and/or legislative process to advance strategies; 
• Ability to develop and maintain strong, collaborative working relationships with a diverse group of stakeholders and knowledge of how to build alliances and find points of collaboration even when there are competing interests;
• A record of inclusive leadership and management;  
• Excellent legal reasoning and analytical skills;
• Superior oral and written communications skills, including the ability to explain the Center’s work in compelling terms and to communicate complex ideas clearly and effectively;
• Outstanding time management and organizational skills, with careful attention to detail, and a demonstrated ability to manage multi-faceted projects and perform well independently with grace under pressure in a fast-paced, multi-tasking environment;
• Commitment to centering diversity and equity in executing key responsibilities;and
• A demonstrated commitment to the mission of the Center.

Additional preferred skills and knowledge:

• Policy expertise or background in contraceptive access issues or other reproductive rights, health, or justice issues;
• Experience with fundraising;
• Proven ability to work independently and collaboratively;
• 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.

Key Relationships

The Director of Birth Control Access reports to the Vice President for Reproductive Rights and Health and will work closely with the other Directors and Senior Directors on the Reproductive Rights and Health Team. The Director will supervise three Senior Counsels as well as legal fellows, interns, and contractors when applicable. The Director will work closely with Center staff from the Development, Campaigns and Communications, Strategy and Policy, and Research teams.

Compensation and Benefits

A salary within the range of $129,700-$156,857 will be provided to the successful candidate with at least 7 years of relevant experience, consistent with the National Women’s Law Center’s compensation framework. The successful candidate’s salary within this range will be determined by the number years of relevant experience they bring to the role. 

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. at our new office at 1350 Eye Street N.W. This role is based in D.C. and will be eligible for some telework while also being expected to work in person on a regular basis. The successful candidate will need to live in or relocate to the DMV (broadly defined as DC, Maryland, or Virginia). 

The first 90 days of employment will be considered a probationary period. 

Classification

This position is a management role and as such is not included in the union-represented bargaining unit, NWLC United, affiliated with the Nonprofit Professional Employees Union/IFPTE Local 70.

How to Apply

To apply, please submit a resume and a cover letter outlining how your professional background is a good fit for this position. Resumes should include exact start and end dates (month and year) of employment, as well as the average number of hours worked per week in each job. Applications accepted until position is filled. 

Applicants will be contacted if selected for an interview. We kindly request that interested parties refrain from calling, emailing, or visiting NWLC’s offices to express interest or check on the status of their application. 

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 genders, gender identities and sexual orientations; people of color; and veterans.  

Research indicates members of marginalized groups tend to underestimate their qualifications and apply only if they are a 100% match. If you are passionate about NWLC’s mission and think you have what it takes to be successful in this role, even if you don’t check all the boxes, please apply. We’d appreciate the opportunity to consider your application. 

Reasonable Accommodations

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