Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law

Director, Educational Opportunities Project

Washington, DC
Full Time
Educational Opportunities Project
Senior Manager/Supervisor
The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law is one of the nation’s leading national racial justice legal organizations. Formed in 1963 at the request of President John F. Kennedy, the Lawyers’ Committee uses legal advocacy to achieve racial justice, fighting inside and outside the courts to ensure that Black people and other people of color have the voice, opportunity, and power to make the promises of our democracy real.

Job Title: Director, Educational Opportunities Project
Location: Washington, DC
Job Type: Full-Time
Union Classification: Non-Union
Accountable To: Acting Co-Chief Counsel


About the Role:
The Lawyers’ Committee is seeking an experienced, talented, and dynamic Director to lead the organization’s Educational Opportunities Project (EOP). The EOP strives to support the organization’s racial justice mission by ensuring access to equal and respectful treatment and equitable educational opportunities in PK-12 and higher education for and in partnership with Black communities and other communities of color. The EOP employs a three-pronged approach to its work: litigation, policy, and advocacy. The EOP also collaborates with other Lawyers’ Committee projects on intersectional work.   
 
The Director of the Educational Opportunities Project will oversee all aspects of the project’s litigation and programs and develop and implement an integrated strategy that uses impact litigation, public policy advocacy, innovative programs and initiatives, and public education to promote racial justice and educational equity.  The ideal candidate should have a demonstrated commitment to racial justice, as well as cultural competency and experience working with underserved and marginalized communities.

The Director of the Educational Opportunities Project will lead a team that includes litigators, program managers, a senior coordinator, and one or more legal fellows.  The Director reports directly to the Chief Counsel and is responsible for operationalizing the Project’s mission to promote educational equity and access for all students.   


What You’ll be Doing:
Responsibilities of the Director, Educational Opportunities Project include but are not limited to:
  • Develop and manage all aspects of the Project’s litigation docket, public policy agenda, and programs and initiatives.
  • Supervise all Project staff including litigating and non-litigating attorneys, program managers, coordinators, and law fellows and legal interns.  This may also include participating in the supervision or support of pro bono attorneys and other co-counsels supporting the Project’s active docket.
  • Lead the Project’s litigation efforts in the courts.
  • Identify the Project’s priorities and ensure that the Program’s resources are used effectively in support.
  • Translate the organization’s strategic goals and priorities into realistic and flexible plans and monitor those plans to ensure positive outcomes.
  • Serve as a thought leader on all issues related to all aspects of the Project’s work, and regularly engage in public speaking on panels, Congressional briefings, and other engagements.
  • Represent the Lawyers’ Committee in our coalition work, with the media, and at meetings with members of Congress and high-level staff at the federal agencies we interact with.
  • Coordinate with other Projects at the Lawyers’ Committee to develop and implement an intersectional approach to our racial justice work.
  • Work collaboratively with coalition partners to formulate legal and non-legal strategies to combat racial discrimination in education.
  • Develop and manage the Project’s budget in conjunction with Finance Department.
  • Help develop grant proposals to fund EOP’s work, manage the spend-down of programmatic grants, and report programmatic updates to and engage with funders.
  • Collaborate with Development and Communications staff in elevating the impact of the Project’s work.

Minimum Requirements and Competencies:
  • Admission to the bar of at least one state and, if not already admitted, will seek admission to the DC bar within one year of hire.
  • A minimum of eight to ten years of professional experience is strongly preferred although individuals with less experience but the requisite skills are also encouraged to apply.
  • Significant experience in litigating complex matters.
  • Substantial litigation and/or advocacy experience on education discrimination matters and the ability to work with communities harmed by discriminatory practices. 
  • Exceptional legal research and writing and oral advocacy skills. Ability to communicate effectively with diverse audiences, including the general public, media, and policymakers.
  • Highest integrity, sound judgment, and strong communication skills.
  • Commitment to diversity and inclusiveness and respect for differences regarding race, ethnicity, age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, ability, and socioeconomic circumstances.
  • Ability to work collaboratively and respectfully and the ability to resolve obstacles and/or conflicts.
  • Commitment and demonstrated ability to provide culturally competent advocacy.
  • Ability to work efficiently and effectively under pressure.
  • Demonstrated ability to take initiative, think creatively, and work independently.
  • Ability to travel for litigation, conferences, speaking engagements, and client development; and
  • Experience in management and supervision and demonstrated commitment to optimizing each team member’s skills and potential is preferred.

Ready to Make an Impact? If you are passionate about civil rights, racial justice, and promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion, we want to hear from you. Join our mission to drive positive change and contribute to our dynamic team!

Apply Today: Be part of the force for civil rights and make a lasting impact. Submit your application to help us create a more equitable and inclusive world.

Benefits: The Lawyers' Committee offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes healthcare coverage (medical, dental & vision), parental leave, 403(b) contribution with employer match contributions, voluntary short- and long-term disability and an employer paid monthly cell phone stipend. 

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion: The Lawyers’ Committee embraces diversity and inclusion in our workplace. We strongly encourage candidates of color and candidates from underrepresented communities to apply. The Lawyers’ Committee does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, religion, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, disability, medical condition, marital status, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, pregnancy, parental status, family responsibility, personal appearance, genetic information, matriculation, immigration status, union activities, political affiliation, military veteran status, credit information or any other status protected under law.

Pay: $140,000-$185,000 annually


 
Share

Apply for this position

Required*
We've received your resume. Click here to update it.
Attach resume or Paste resume
Attach resume as .pdf, .doc, .docx, .odt, .txt, or .rtf (limit 5MB) or Paste resume

Paste your resume here or Attach resume file

To comply with government Equal Employment Opportunity and/or Affirmative Action reporting regulations, we are requesting (but NOT requiring) that you enter this personal data. This information will not be used in connection with any employment decisions, and will be used solely as permitted by state and federal law. Your voluntary cooperation would be appreciated. Learn more.
Invitation for Job Applicants to Self-Identify as a U.S. Veteran
  • A “disabled veteran” is one of the following:
    • a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or
    • a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.
  • A “recently separated veteran” means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.
  • An “active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran” means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.
  • An “Armed forces service medal veteran” means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.
Veteran status


Voluntary Self-Identification of Disability
Voluntary Self-Identification of Disability Form CC-305
OMB Control Number 1250-0005
Expires 04/30/2026
Why are you being asked to complete this form?

We are a federal contractor or subcontractor. The law requires us to provide equal employment opportunity to qualified people with disabilities. We have a goal of having at least 7% of our workers as people with disabilities. The law says we must measure our progress towards this goal. To do this, we must ask applicants and employees if they have a disability or have ever had one. People can become disabled, so we need to ask this question at least every five years.

Completing this form is voluntary, and we hope that you will choose to do so. Your answer is confidential. No one who makes hiring decisions will see it. Your decision to complete the form and your answer will not harm you in any way. If you want to learn more about the law or this form, visit the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) website at www.dol.gov/ofccp.

How do you know if you have a disability?

A disability is a condition that substantially limits one or more of your “major life activities.” If you have or have ever had such a condition, you are a person with a disability. Disabilities include, but are not limited to:

  • Alcohol or other substance use disorder (not currently using drugs illegally)
  • Autoimmune disorder, for example, lupus, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, HIV/AIDS
  • Blind or low vision
  • Cancer (past or present)
  • Cardiovascular or heart disease
  • Celiac disease
  • Cerebral palsy
  • Deaf or serious difficulty hearing
  • Diabetes
  • Disfigurement, for example, disfigurement caused by burns, wounds, accidents, or congenital disorders
  • Epilepsy or other seizure disorder
  • Gastrointestinal disorders, for example, Crohn's Disease, irritable bowel syndrome
  • Intellectual or developmental disability
  • Mental health conditions, for example, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, PTSD
  • Missing limbs or partially missing limbs
  • Mobility impairment, benefiting from the use of a wheelchair, scooter, walker, leg brace(s) and/or other supports
  • Nervous system condition, for example, migraine headaches, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis (MS)
  • Neurodivergence, for example, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder, dyslexia, dyspraxia, other learning disabilities
  • Partial or complete paralysis (any cause)
  • Pulmonary or respiratory conditions, for example, tuberculosis, asthma, emphysema
  • Short stature (dwarfism)
  • Traumatic brain injury
Please check one of the boxes below:

PUBLIC BURDEN STATEMENT: According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless such collection displays a valid OMB control number. This survey should take about 5 minutes to complete.

You must enter your name and date
Human Check*