Senior Fellow Project Manager, Future of the Constitution Project

New York, NY

Full Time

Experienced

The Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law is a nonpartisan law and policy institute that seeks to improve our systems of democracy and justice. The Center’s work ranges from voting rights to court reform, ending mass incarceration to preserving constitutional protections in the fight against terrorism. Part think tank, part advocacy group, part cutting edge communications hub, we start with rigorous research. We craft innovative policies. And we fight for them — in Congress and the states, the courts, and in the court of public opinion.  

Position: 
The Brennan Center seeks a Senior Fellow Project Manager to lead its new Future of the Constitution Project. This is a full-time position for a senior or midlevel professional with a demonstrated passion for constitutional law and reform.

Note: Brennan Center employees adhere to a hybrid schedule that is subject to change, with employees currently required to work in the office a minimum of three days per week, on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. While most employees follow this in-person schedule, there may be some positions that require additional in-office days. This position may be based either in the Brennan Center’s offices in New York City or Washington, D.C. .

Background:
In recent years, the Brennan Center has launched a major organizational initiative in response to the extreme rightward turn of the federal courts. This work includes a project on Supreme Court ethics and reform; an initiative focused on the role of state constitutions and courts as bulwarks for the protection of rights and democratic values; a collaboration with prominent historians to push back against the misuse of history in legal decisions using an originalist approach to constitutional interpretation; and an assortment of individual fellows’ projects focused on constitutional vision and reform, in areas ranging from Second Amendment jurisprudence to the Article V constitutional amendment process.

To deepen this important work at a critical moment, the Brennan Center is launching the Future of the Constitution Project, a multiyear initiative to enhance public understanding and appreciation of the meaning and promise of our national charter. The Project will sponsor cutting-edge intellectual work, in the form of legal and historical research, original writing, symposia, and the crafting of public education materials, to help Americans reclaim our Constitution as an enduring plan of government, rooted in a promise of democratic self-governance with justice and equality for all. The Project will raise public awareness of the threat posed by the judiciary’s embrace of originalism, an ideological and deeply flawed approach to interpreting our national charter that threatens to overturn decades of law. In its stead, the Project will advance an alternative vision of constitutional law and history based on a principled account of the Constitution’s core aims and evolution over time. The Project will also house the newly launched Steven M. Polan Fellowship in Constitutional Law and History, which will support the work of up to four outstanding individuals, drawn from the ranks of advocacy, academia, and the bar, on public education and research projects related to these broad goals.

Responsibilities:
Reporting to the Vice President for Program Initiatives, the Senior Fellow Project Manager will manage a growing cohort of fellows working on projects related to constitutional law and history. The Senior Fellow Project Manager will also have opportunities for thought leadership, including the opportunity to develop and execute projects that advance new thinking on issues of constitutional law and history, animated by the Constitution’s enduring core values, working in close collaboration with Brennan Center colleagues across the organization.

Responsibilities the position include:

Conducting and supporting legal and historical research on topics related to constitutional law and history that intersect with the Brennan Center’s mission.

Contributing to the public debate on these topics through speaking engagements, media appearances, and participation in conferences.
Producing written products in the form of books, reports, articles (published in academic journals and popular media), opinion pieces, and other relevant formats.
Organizing academic symposia to sponsor top quality discourse and writing by scholars and other experts.
Sponsoring public events, both in person and online, to engage a wide non-expert audience.
Organizing convenings and legal strategy meetings.
Engaging with counterparts in think tanks, legal advocacy groups, and the academy to foster partnerships and build networks.
Advising and assisting Brennan Center staff.
Other activities that advance the Project’s goals.

Qualifications:

A J.D. degree and at least 5 years of legal work experience, including clerkships (which are a plus for this position). Both mid- and senior-level candidates are encouraged to apply.
Excellent legal research and analysis skills.
Excellent written and oral communication skills, including a strong ability and desire to write for legal, academic, and public audiences.
A creative, problem-solving mindset with demonstrated ability to turn ideas into products or actions.
Strong organizational skills and the ability to prioritize and delegate effectively in a fast-paced environment.
A commitment to racial equity.
Strong interpersonal skills and sound judgment, including the ability to work with diverse constituencies both inside and outside the organization, and openness to feedback.

The Brennan Center is committed to advancing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the workplace. We continuously work with our staff to find new ways to increase diversity and to build and cultivate an inclusive and equitable work environment, where everyone can be their true self and feel a strong sense of belonging. As such, we seek to hire employees who have a commitment to and/or experience with diversity, equity, and inclusion. In addition, we expect employees to participate/contribute with DEI initiatives or activities with recruitment, retention, and workplace culture. 

Applications: 
To apply, please visit >>THIS LINK<< and upload the following application materials: (1) cover letter, (2) resume, (3) two writing samples (up to 10 pages each), (4) and contact information for three supervisor references.

Applications without all of the previously listed materials will not be considered. If you have difficulty with the online system, you may send your application by e-mail to: [email protected] with “Senior Fellow Project Manager-Future of the Constitution Project” in the subject line, after registering in the online system.

Compensation and Benefits:
The salary range assigned for this position is $145,000 to 185,000. We determine our salary ranges based on market competitiveness and internal equity for each job. The salary offered to a selected candidate will be contingent upon the candidate’s qualifications, experience, and internal equity considerations. For candidates with more than 15 years of experience, there will be additional salary considerations made. Additionally, we offer a very robust and competitive array of benefits, including a generous time off program, 401(k) plan, comprehensive health insurance (medical, dental, and vision), and wellness and office perks.

Note: The Brennan Center is committed to public health and to the safety and wellbeing of our colleagues and visitors.  As such, we have adopted a policy requiring all employees working in the New York and Washington, DC offices to be vaccinated against COVID-19, including having a booster, or to meet the legal guidelines for an exemption.

The Brennan Center for Justice is committed to a workplace based on equal opportunity and a strong belief in the increased effectiveness that comes from a diverse workforce. To this end, Brennan Center

Welcomes applicants with disabilities and applicants of all races, ethnicities, gender identities, socioeconomic identities, sexual orientations, and national origin or citizenship, including people who have been previously incarcerated;
Hires diverse candidates and works to improve our recruitment practices to allow for such
Creates a workplace where true diversity is fostered and different perspectives are valued and freely exchanged;
Ensures that all members of the Brennan Center community feel welcome and respected, and have equal opportunities to thrive and advance within the institution; and
Is committed to supporting low-income communities and communities of color particularly affected by social inequities.

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