The ACLU of Nebraska (ACLU-NE) seeks a Policy Director to lead the organization’s legislative and policy advocacy work by overseeing the affiliate’s lobbying efforts, testimony, legislative tracking, and coalition work at the State Capitol during the legislative session and leading year-round policy strategy, campaign planning, community engagement and relationship building with elected officials and administrators at the state and local levels.

This leadership position is vital to the integrated advocacy and intersectional tactics utilized by the ACLU-NE team to advance human rights, civil rights, and civil liberties by directing integrated, multi-year campaigns in collaboration with cross-department staff, organizational partners and coalitions, grassroots leaders and Nebraskans with lived experience to effectuate sustainable protection and advancement of such rights and freedoms for all Nebraskans.

The Policy Director supervises ACLU-NE policy team members, works closely with legal and communications team members on a regular basis, occasionally collaborates with the operations, finance and development teams, and reports to the Executive Director.

The ACLU-NE is the state affiliate of the national American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and an independent 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to the defense and expansion of the individual rights and liberties of all Nebraskans. The ACLU-NE carries out our mission through a sophisticated program of integrated advocacy with strategies that include litigation, negotiation, advocacy, and public engagement and activation. The ACLU-NE is proud to foster a fun and fast-paced work environment. Our offices are in the heart of Nebraska’s capital city, Lincoln, Nebraska. Our 12-person team is complemented by law clerks, interns, contractors, volunteer attorneys, and thousands of supporters statewide.

• Lead and implement strategic legislative and policy programs aligned with ACLU-NE’s strategic plan, mission and priorities.
• Serve as a registered lobbyist before the Nebraska Legislature and local governing bodies.
• Draft and analyze proposed legislation, amendments, resolutions, and ordinances; track bills and monitor implementation of laws.
• Build, maintain and manage relationships with elected officials, administrators and staff within government agencies at the state and local levels through direct advocacy and fact-based analysis; occasional engagement with Nebraska’s Members of Congress and staff at the federal level.
• Supervise and mentor ACLU-NE policy team members to ensure quality advocacy, alignment with organizational priorities and professional development; collaborate with the organization’s contract lobbyist.
• Prepare, present and review oral and written testimony.
• Develop public-facing education materials including fact sheets, talking points, letters, reports, and policy memos.
• Coordinate coalition engagement, lead or participate in advocacy coalitions to develop and coordinate strategy, share research and advance joint efforts for systemic reforms across Nebraska.
• Collaborate with ACLU-NE staff across departments (legal, communications, finance, operations and development) on integrated policy campaigns.
• Serve as a spokesperson and periodically represent ACLU-NE at community events and trainings.
• Engage with the national ACLU and other affiliates to support national and regional advocacy strategies.
• Supervise and mentor policy staff to ensure quality advocacy, alignment with organizational priorities, and professional development.
• Use data and research strategically to support policy initiatives, including oversight of third-party researchers and analysts.
• Collaborate with the legal team on litigation, non-litigation, and administrative advocacy, including engaging with government agencies and regulatory bodies to influence rulemaking, implementation, and enforcement of civil rights laws.
• Represent the ACLU-NE in meetings and negotiations with public officials, agency staff, and other stakeholders to advance policy goals outside the legislative process.
• Monitor and respond to policy-related inquiries and intakes from the public, partners, and other stakeholders, identifying systemic issues and opportunities for advocacy.
• Coordinate with legal and communications teams to develop comment letters, public records requests, and other tools to hold government accountable and promote transparency.
• Advise and coordinate staff on administrative procedures and emerging issues in state and local governance that impact Nebraskans’ rights and freedoms.

• Partner with development, operations and finance teams by contributing to grant writing and reporting efforts.
• Lead tracking and timely completion of grant deliverables and accurate reporting related to policy and advocacy work.
• Occasionally draft content for ACLU-NE’s website, social media, publications, and reports.
• Ensure compliance with local, state and federal lobbying and political activity laws, including preparation of reports for the Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission and IRS 501(h) compliance in coordination with operations and finance staff.
• Assist in implementation of organizational strategic plan and achievement of identified internal and external goals.

• At least three years of legislative, political, or policy advocacy experience, with strong preference for Nebraska experience.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including public speaking.
• Strong organizational and leadership skills with experience managing complex projects and cross-functional teams.
• Commitment to the ACLU’s mission and values, including equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging.
• Experience in human rights, civil rights, civil liberties, or related public interest work.
• Legal training or administrative advocacy background.
• Familiarity with data-driven advocacy or policy research.
• Experience using Microsoft Office Suite.

This is a full-time, at-will, exempt position. The salary range for this position ranges from $75,000 to $115,000 depending on experience and qualifications. Excellent benefits include flexible time off, sick leave, parental leave, generous health, dental, and vision insurance with employee and family premiums paid 100% by the employer, Health Savings Account (HSA) contributions, 401(k) match, cell phone stipend, paid parking, funded Lifestyle Spending Account, hybrid work options (such as dividing time between working from home and an in-person presence in Lincoln). This role’s normal office hours are 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and occasionally, weekend and evening hours are required. During the legislative session, daily presence in Lincoln and extended work hours are typical.

The ACLU-NE is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. The ACLU-NE encourages applications from all qualified and eligible individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, tribal affiliation, disability, veteran status and record of arrest or conviction, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

The ACLU-NE makes every effort to ensure that its recruitment and employment provide all qualified and eligible persons, including persons with disabilities, with full opportunities for employment in all positions. The ACLU-NE is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to people with disabilities. If you are a person with a disability and need assistance applying, please e-mail agagner@aclunebraska.org or call 402-476-8091. If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request an accommodation for the interview process.

Civil rights and civil liberties violations disproportionately hurt the most marginalized people in society – including Black people, Indigenous people, people of color, immigrants, women, formerly incarcerated and LGBTQ+ people. These communities must be centered in the work we do. Hence, we strongly encourage applications from people with these identities or those who are members of other marginalized communities.

To apply, email a cover letter and resume to jobs@aclunebraska.org with the subject line: Policy Director. In your cover letter, please indicate where you learned of the position. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled, which will not be before December 1, 2025.