Deputy, Law & Policy Director New Jersey Institute for Social Justice
Newark, NJ Overview
The New Jersey Institute for Social Justice is in a season that demands both courage and discipline.
As the racial justice sector contracts nationally, the conditions that gave rise to our work — structural inequality, attacks on democracy, barriers to wealth, justice and opportunity — have only deepened.
In this moment, durable progress will be shaped by institutions capable of building power, telling the truth, shaping narrative, and advancing structural change at the state and local level.
It will be carried by institutions like the Institute that are strong enough to fight and build at the same time — institutions capable of building power from the ground up while sustaining the infrastructure necessary for durable change.
The Institute has grown significantly in recent years — in the size of our team, budget, influence, and statewide impact. We are implementing the recommendations of the first-of-its-kind New Jersey Reparations Council, advancing our racial justice advocacy and expanding our litigation capacity. We are deepening our presence in communities across New Jersey and helping shape a national conversation about the role of states in advancing racial justice.
Position Summary
The Deputy Law and Policy Director will serve as a senior leader responsible for overseeing the coordination, execution, and day-to-day management of the Institute’s legal and policy agenda. Reporting to the Law and Policy Director, this role provides operational and strategic leadership across the Institute’s programmatic pillars, advancing advocacy campaigns, supervising staff, and strengthening cross-functional collaboration. The Deputy Law & Policy Director provides direct supervision to team members, which may include Program Directors, Community Organizing staff, Litigation staff, or others as assigned.
The Deputy Law and Policy Director will lead internal program operations, support strategic advocacy initiatives, and help align legal, policy, communications, and development efforts to maximize organizational impact. This role requires a proactive and solutions-oriented leader who can manage complex projects, mentor staff, and drive initiatives forward in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership & Program Execution
Help lead the implementation of the Institute’s strategic vision for legal and policy programs, including legislative advocacy, public education initiatives, strategic campaigns, and litigation support as needed.
Lead internal Programs Team meetings, planning discussions, cross-functional initiatives, and regular programmatic check-ins.
Ensure strong coordination and communication across legal, policy, communications, development, and operations teams.
Staff Management & Team Leadership
Recruit, supervise, mentor, and support policy and legal staff, including attorneys, policy analysts, fellows, interns, and other junior team members.
Foster a collaborative, respectful, and high-performing workplace culture rooted in teamwork, accountability, and shared purpose.
Advocacy, Communications & External Engagement
In partnership with the Communications Team, help lead the development, review, and dissemination of advocacy and public education materials, including reports, talking points, op-eds, press materials, public education resources, campaign messaging and communications strategies.
Review and edit research reports, policy briefs, flyers, presentations, and public-facing materials to ensure consistency, quality and strategic alignment.
Represent the Institute in coalition meetings, advocacy spaces, public forums, and strategic partnerships as appropriate.
Operations & Internal Coordination
Qualifications & Requirements
Minimum of 7–10 years of experience in legal advocacy, public policy, civil rights, nonprofit leadership or related fields.
Compensation:
This is a full-time, exempt position with a salary range of $160,000–$180,000, commensurate with experience.
Benefits:
Application Process:
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled. To be considered, attach all required documents to this job posting.
For inquiries, please contact our recruitment team at recruitment@njisj.org, ensuring that you reference the specific position in your email.
About the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice:
Founded in 1999 by Alan V. and Amy Lowenstein, the Institute builds reparative systems that create wealth, transform justice, and expand democratic power from the ground up.
The Institute’s racial justice work—driven by a dynamic team and stellar Board of Trustees—has become a national model for states as places to build community power.
Through an integrated strategy that weaves together community organizing, research, public education, narrative change, advocacy and litigation, the Institute turns people power into durable change.
The Institute advocates for systemic reform that is at once transformative, achievable in the state, and replicable in communities across the nation.
The New Jersey Institute for Social Justice is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to advancing racial and social justice and fostering an inclusive workplace where diverse perspectives and lived experiences are valued. We encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply and make employment decisions without regard to any characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. Reasonable accommodations are available throughout the hiring process for qualified individuals with disabilities.