Senior Advisor, Affiliate Strategic Planning

About the role

The ACLU seeks applicants for the full-time position of Senior Advisor, Affiliate Strategic Planning in the Affiliate Support and Nationwide Initiatives (ASNI) Department of the ACLU's National office in New York, NY. This is a hybrid role that has in-office requirements of two (2) days per week or eight (8) days per month. The Affiliate Support and Nationwide Initiatives Department (ASNI) builds state capacity and strengthens and maintains the connections between the ACLU and its network of 54 state affiliates and the 1,500 staff who work out of the state offices. Their work constitutes an unparalleled bulwark in the defending and advancing of civil liberties and civil rights. The Department staff lead efforts to share knowledge, talent, and skill across the organization, building the next generation of civil rights leaders and positioning the organization for future challenges.

Responsibilities

• YOUR DAY TO DAY
• Affiliate Strategic Planning Support
• Provide direct advising and facilitation to affiliates undertaking strategic planning processes.
• At their request, help affiliates steward their strategic planning processes, using a unified but flexible methodology grounded in organizational diagnostics, inclusive planning processes, equity considerations, and long-term sustainability.
• In partnership with other department teams, promote the integration of organizational capacity, governance, staffing, culture-building, program and campaign planning, power building, and financial sustainability goals in the planning process.
• Help affiliates translate strategic priorities into operational plans, milestones, and accountability structures that support effective implementation.
• Support affiliates in establishing lightweight monitoring practices that enable leadership teams and boards to track progress and adjust strategy as conditions evolve.
• Track strategic plan implementation progress and support course correction as conditions evolve.
• With department leadership, support executive directors in structuring board engagement in strategic planning processes, strengthening governance alignment around long-term priorities and organizational sustainability.
• Use strategic planning as a preventive leadership and governance tool, helping affiliates surface risks early, align leadership around priorities, and strengthen long-term institutional resilience.
• Operate as a trusted advisor to affiliate leadership, requiring regular access to sensitive organizational information-including financial conditions, leadership dynamics, governance matters, and strategic risks-while maintaining the highest standards of discretion and professional judgment.
• Maintain strict confidentiality and discretion when engaging with affiliate boards and executive leadership, particularly when this work involves sensitive matters such as organizational health, leadership transitions, financial sustainability, and governance challenges.
• Strategic Planning Systems and Portfolio Management
• Develop the tools, resources, and systems that enable effective strategic planning across the nationwide enterprise.
• Oversee and resource a vetted pool of consultants supporting affiliate planning processes, ensuring quality, methodological consistency, and alignment with ASNI planning principles

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