Position Summary Sex/gender-based injustice and inequality remain an enduring problem in all sectors of U.S. society. While the Supreme Court has reaffirmed and expanded the principle of sex/gender equality in recent rulings interpreting Title VII, sex/gender based equality remains an implicit, not explicit, principal in the U.S. Constitution. On January 27, 2020, Virginia became the 38th state to ratify the ERA, which completed the requirement under the U.S. Constitution (Article V) that 3/4 of states ratify an amendment. The ERA, however, has yet to be certified by the Archivist of the United States and there is urgency in answering legal questions related to the adoption of this amendment. The ERA Project Director will direct the Center for Gender and Sexuality Law's work onthe ERA and its relationship to larger societal forms of sex/gender inequality and injustice, with particular attention to the Project's location in an academic center. The creation of an ERA Project at Columbia Law School's Center for Gender and Sexuality Law (CGSL) presents a unique opportunity to bring cutting edge research, strategy, and leadership resources to the fight for gender-based equality. The ERA Project Director will report to the Director of the Center for Gender and Sexuality Law. In this part-time, 20 hours per week position, the Project Director will:
Responsibilities - Provide strategic leadership surrounding the role of the ERA in expanding and protecting sex/gender-based equality.
- Develop strategic programmatic work that positions the CGSL as the prominent legal academic actor working on the passage and implementation of the ERA.
- Lead the Project's strategic direction, including work with peer organizations, and assessment and prioritization of research and policy.
- Manage day-to-day operations of the Project, including supervising staff, fiscal management, fundraising, an relationships with coalition partners.
- Develop and implement the goals, activities, research and strategic direction of the ERA Project.
- Design and coordinate ERA Project events such as educational opportunities through panels, symposia, briefings, convenings, media, etc. about the need for the ERA, its implementation, and its impact on broader equality and diversity efforts.
- Promote thought leadership, policy analysis, legal research, and writing on issues surrounding ERA passage and implementation in a cross-disciplinary manner by including faculty and students from the law school, business school, journalism school and other departments at Columbia University.
- Engage law firms, lawyers, corporations, and corporate leaders to encourage discussion within their industries.
- Coordinate and lead fundraising efforts with the Advisory Board and Faculty Director.
- Work with the Faculty Director to develop and implement the Project's budget in concert with the Business Office, with guidance from the Faculty Director and Advisory Board.
- Manage relations with the Advisory Board.
- Conduct budget review and evaluate the costs and revenues of the ERA Project's projects and plans, as well as the success of on-going projects to assess Project capacity to undertake new activities and report progress on a regular basis.
- Oversee the Project's communications strategy, including the design and content of the website and social-media engagement platforms (especially LinkedIn and Twitter) in order to raise awareness of the ERA project work and elevate its reputation and relevance.
- Direct the outreach activities of the Project, including public speaking on activities of the Project and cultivating new relationships to promote the Project and its work;
- Coordinate sponsored research activities and policy briefings conducted by Fellows or staff, or as requested by the Faculty Director.
- Direct the production of research summaries or annual reports as needed.
- Perform other related duties as required.
Minimum Qualifications Juris Doctor degree required. At least four to six years of demonstrated related experience, including three years in a supervisory capacity, preferred. Knowledge of litigation and legislative civil rights initiatives, as well as connections with thought leaders and organizational leaders in the related fields strongly preferred. Familiarity with the research topics and activities of the Project and ability to articulate their importance to external constituencies verbally and in writing required. Strong leadership, communication, teamwork, strategic planning, and innovative thinking skills, as well as an ability to work productively within tight deadlines required. Experience in planning, budgeting and reporting systems required. Must be able to work with diverse constituencies and support an inclusive work environment.
Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents. |
