Labor Standards Enforcement Manager

The Workplace Justice Lab @ Northwestern University tackles inequality and worker exploitation by supporting, strengthening, and fostering innovation in government and by building the membership and leadership bases of worker centers, unions and other worker justice organizations. The Workplace Justice Lab @ Northwestern University works in collaboration with sister organizations the Workplace Justice Lab @ Rutgers University and the Pilipino Workers Center of Southern California.

We are hiring someone who will join Beyond the Bill team to add capacity to the labor standards enforcement work we do at the federal, state, and local levels.

• Beyond the Bill, a core program of the Workplace Justice Lab, works with local, state, and federal labor agencies to develop more strategic and innovative approaches to labor standards enforcement. Our goal is to raise job quality across low-wage, high-exploitation sectors and promote strategic enforcement and co-enforcement as central strategies to reduce employer noncompliance with the law. 
• At Beyond the Bill, we lead cutting-edge research projects on labor violations by geographic area, race, ethnicity, gender and more. We offer customized state and local strategic enforcement research, training, in-depth planning and technical assistance, and we design and facilitate strong collaborations between agencies and worker justice organizations. 
• Beyond the Bill convenes powerful communities of practice among government agencies interested in strategic enforcement and also among worker justice organizations, coalitions and advocates interested in thinking together about how to leverage labor policy and enforcement structures at the local and state level to drive structure back into low wage sectors and build worker organizations. All of our work is in deep partnership with worker justice organizations on the ground and in coalition with other national organizations committed to this work. 

Key Job Qualifications 

This position will be a key member of the Beyond the Bill program. We are looking for someone:

• with significant experience working within or partnering extensively with government agencies, especially related to labor standards, health and safety, or civil rights enforcement.
• who has experience and passion for projects promoting economic justice, workers rights, and/or policy solutions to improve exploitative, low-wage work.  
• who has project management experience and is comfortable directing multiple projects across different geographies and time zones.
• who is comfortable with research and is a strong writer.
• who has experience with creating and implementing training curriculum.
• who has experience building relationships with diverse sets of stakeholders.
• who has a JD or PhD

Key Job Responsibilities 

The key responsibilities of the Labor Standards Enforcement Manager will include: 

• Work with the Beyond the Bill program to advance labor standards enforcement
• Anticipate emerging needs and identify opportunities to improve labor standards enforcement across the U.S.
• Lead relationship management for a number of partnerships with diverse constituencies, including public agencies, worker centers, unions, and legal nonprofits.
• Draw on their in-depth knowledge of government, worker rights enforcement, and/or government/community collaborations to provide expert technical assistance, training, and capacity-building support to strengthen strategic enforcement efforts and co-enforcement partnerships. 
• Lead and/or contribute to research, reports, and practical briefs that document and share best practices, innovative enforcement strategies, and new workers’ rights policies across jurisdictions.
• Oversee research to continue to identify and benchmark best practices for effective enforcement strategies.
• Support Beyond the Bill’s communities of learning and practice.
• Collaborate on identifying new and continuing funding sources.
• Potentially supervise student interns, research assistants, and/or fellows.
• Resolving complex problems that require creativity, a deep understanding of government, and adept partnership building will be a regular part of this role.

This is a full-time position with an initial one-year appointment, with annual reappointment subject to mutual agreement and funding availability. This position will be performed remotely and the candidate can live anywhere in the United States. The position will involve travel to conferences and trainings a few times a year, which will be reimbursed.

To Apply 

Submit your resume and cover letter with the subject line “WJL position” via email to workplacejusticelab@northwestern.edu

Resumes review will begin in late June and interviews will begin in early July.

The Northwestern campus sits on the traditional homelands of the people of the Council of Three Fires, the Ojibwe, Potawatomi, and Odawa as well as the Menominee, Miami and Ho-Chunk nations. We acknowledge and honor the original people of the land upon which Northwestern University stands, and the Native people who remain on this land today.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. Click for information on EEO is the Law.

Northwestern strongly recommends COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters for people who can obtain them as a critical tool for minimizing severe illness. More information can be found on the COVID-19 and Campus Updates webpage.

As a Northwestern staff member, you will be eligible to receive benefits. We have competitive salaries and opportunities for growth! 

• Great health insurance benefits
• Paid Family & Medical Leave 
• Two 403 (b) retirement savings plans
• Reduced tuition for you and family members!
• List of full benefits here https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html 
• Starting salary range: $100,000 - $125,000

Please note that the Benefit enrollment process must be completed online within 31 days from your start date.

Work-Life and Wellness:

Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life’s challenges and opportunities, and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.

We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development:

Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you’re interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more.