Director of Legal Initiatives

Director of Legal InitiativesLocation: Washington, DC (Hybrid: 3 days a week onsite)Compensation: $200,000–$240,000, with consideration given to exceptional experience and demonstrated impact.Position OverviewThe Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law seeks a strategic, experienced, and mission-driven Director of Legal Initiatives to lead its Legal Initiatives (LI) team. This senior role operates at the intersection of civil rights enforcement, higher education compliance, and administrative advocacy, with a focus on combating anti-Semitism through regulatory and administrative channels.The Director will oversee a dynamic portfolio that includes administrative agency complaints, regulatory advocacy, and institutional accountability efforts. This position plays a critical role in advancing the Brandeis Center’s broader legal strategy to address anti-Semitism and related civil rights violations.Key ResponsibilitiesLeadership & StrategyLead and manage the Legal Initiatives team, setting strategic priorities aligned with the organization’s mission.Develop and execute legal strategies focused on administrative enforcement and regulatory frameworks.Partner with senior leadership to align LI efforts with litigation, policy, and communications initiatives.Administrative & Regulatory AdvocacyOversee the drafting, filing, and management of administrative complaints under federal civil rights statutes (e.g., ED, HHS, HUD, DOJ, EEOC).Engage directly with federal and state agencies to advance complaints and promote enforcement.Monitor regulatory developments and identify opportunities for advocacy, including rulemaking comments and policy engagement.Provide subject-matter expertise in constitutional and civil rights law, including reviewing, drafting, and editing federal and state legislation and regulatory proposals.Partner with the Chief Policy Officer to lead engagement with Congressional offices on oversight, inquiries, and civil rights enforcement matters.Contribute to the development of federal and state legislative strategy alongside the Chief Policy Officer.Civil Rights Strategy & Legal LeadershipLead the development of legal strategies to advance civil rights enforcement through administrative and regulatory pathways.Set the direction for legal arguments in complaints and investigations, including the interpretation and application of statutes to emerging fact patterns.Guide teams in building strong, evidence-based cases that maximize the likelihood of agency action and institutional accountability.Maintain high standards of legal analysis, writing, and strategic execution across all matters.Institutional Accountability & InvestigationsDirect efforts to hold universities, K–12 schools, medical institutions, and other entities accountable for civil rights violations.Oversee fact development, evidence gathering, and investigative coordination in support of complaints and advocacy.External Engagement & PartnershipsRepresent the Brandeis Center in engagements with government agencies, partner organizations, and stakeholders.Build and maintain relationships with advocacy groups, legal partners, and pro bono counsel.Contribute to thought leadership, including reports, op-eds, panels, and public forums.Team Management & DevelopmentSupervise and mentor attorneys and staff, fostering a high-performing and collaborative team culture.Ensure effective workflow management and coordination across multiple matters.QualificationsDemonstrated commitment to the Brandeis Center’s mission.J.D. required; active bar membership in good standing.Familiarity with federal civil rights statutes and enforcement mechanisms (e.g., Title VI, Title VII).Preferred Qualifications10+ years of relevant legal experience.Experience engaging with or advising federal and state agencies (e.g., ED, HHS, DOJ, EEOC).Experience informing or shaping legislation at the federal or state level.Proven leadership and team management experience.Strong legal writing, analytical, and strategic thinking skills.Experience addressing anti-Semitism, higher education, K–12, or workplace discrimination issues.Background in nonprofit advocacy, government service, or impact litigation.Established relationships within civil rights or regulatory communities.The Louis D. Brandeis Center, Inc., is an equal opportunity employer.