Counsel/Senior Counsel, Gender Justice at Work Policy Project

The Position

The National Women’s Law Center seeks a Counsel or Senior Counsel to support the Gender Justice at Work Policy Project, a new initiative focused on working in coalition to forward and defend federal policy priorities related to advancing women’s economic security and gender justice in the workplace. Using a variety of advocacy strategies in conjunction with multiple partners, the Gender Justice at Work Policy Project will center on the needs and experiences of women workers, with a particular focus on women of color and women in low-paid jobs. The Counsel or Senior Counsel will provide policy and legal analysis and strategic support for this initiative. Potential areas of focus include equal pay, workplace harassment, protections against discrimination based on sex, including gender identity, and improving women’s job quality.

This is a two-year, term-limited position. This is a full-time exempt position 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

• Research and analyze policy and legal issues related to gender justice at work;
• Draft written materials relating to legislative and regulatory proposals, including memos, fact sheets, talking points, reports, outreach materials, and blog posts;
• Coordinate with coalition partners and other stakeholders in advocacy efforts;
• Help shape initiative strategies and priorities in consultation with the Senior Director of Workplace Equality and key coalition partners;
• Collaborate with the Center’s Campaigns & Communications and Research teams to help inform initiative efforts related to advancing gender justice at work;
• Travel as needed and represent the Center at public events, external meetings, trainings, conferences, and in the media;
• Assist in the supervision of interns;
• Other duties related to gender justice at work, as assigned; and
• For Senior Counsel, greater autonomy in the above responsibilities.

Qualifications

A candidate must possess:

• A law degree and admission to a state bar with ability to waive into the DC Bar if not already admitted;
• For Senior Counsel, a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience;
• Academic and/or work experience related to workplace policy issues and/or anti-discrimination law;
• Experience managing relationships with federal policymakers and legislative staff;
• Strong analytical, oral, and written communications skills;
• Demonstrated ability to work well in a team setting and to manage projects in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment;
• Flexibility and comfort collaborating and working in coordination with multiple stakeholder groups; and
• Demonstrated commitment to and experience working on gender and racial equity and centering communities of color in their approach to work.

Additional preferred skills and knowledge:

• For Counsel, a minimum of 2 years of relevant experience;
• Familiarity with relevant federal advocacy coalitions focused on workplace justice;
• Experience with project management or issue-based campaigns;
• Demonstrated experience and judgment working both collaboratively and independently.

Key Relations

The Counsel/Senior Counsel will report directly to the Senior Director of Workplace Equality and may have supervisory opportunities with interns.

Compensation & Benefits

A salary within the range of $88,055-$96,786 will be provided to the successful Counsel candidate with 0 up to 4 years of experience, consistent with the National Women’s Law Center’s compensation framework. A salary within the range of $105,321-$142,824 will be provided to the successful Senior Counsel candidate with 5 or more years of experience. The successful candidate’s salary within these ranges 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

NWLC recognizes a staff bargaining unit, NWLC United, affiliated with the Nonprofit Professional Employees Union/IFPTE Local 70, a union for non-profit workers. This position is included in NWLC’s bargaining unit. Specific employment terms are subject to collective bargaining.

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 should be submitted by Thursday, May 15, 2025. Applications submitted after that date may not be reviewed.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.

At NWLC, our diversity is our strength, and the variety of lived experiences that connect our teammates to the mission of gender justice is our superpower. We know that members of marginalized groups tend to apply for positions only if they believe they are a 100% match for the role. If you are passionate about NWLC’s mission and think you can be successful in this role, 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.