Senior Policy Counsel Artificial Intelligence, Privacy, and Technology

About the Job

The ACLU seeks applicants for the full‑time position of Senior Policy Counsel for Artificial Intelligence, Privacy, and Technology in the National Political Advocacy Department of the ACLU’s National office in Washington, D.C. This hybrid role requires in‑office presence two (2) days per week or eight (8) days per month.

The National Political Advocacy Department builds power to achieve an accountable, representative democracy. We pursue ambitious goals across reproductive freedom, speech, privacy, technology, democracy and voting rights, systemic equality, immigration, trans justice, criminal justice, and other core issues to protect and expand civil rights and liberties and advance the freedom, equality, and prosperity of all people.

Our department conducts analysis, develops policy, crafts world‑class campaigns, and positions the ACLU to have impact across legislative, administrative, and electoral levers. We are a collective of policy experts, lawyers, community organizers, lobbyists, campaign strategists, electoral specialists, program managers, and more. We partner across the ACLU to drive national efforts and amplify affiliates’ priorities, while centering principles of equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging in our work.

This position is part of a collective bargaining unit and is represented by ACLU Staff United (ASU).

Reporting to the Director of the Democracy and Technology Division within NPAD, you will lead the ACLU’s federal policy work on artificial intelligence, data regulation, and privacy, collaborating with policy experts, litigators, and advocates across the organization to develop and advocate for the ACLU’s positions in Congress. Your work will protect and advance civil rights and liberties in the digital age.

You will also advise ACLU campaigns on data and technology issues, support policy and legal teams on matters with a data or technology component, and collaborate with state affiliates on state policy matters.

• Focus primarily on federal and state policy, working with NPAD campaign leadership, staff, ACLU state affiliates, and other NPAD and Legal Department staff on AI, privacy, and technology issues.
• Develop strategic legislative, campaign, and administrative policy options.
• Independently generate novel ideas and approaches to solve problems, sourcing existing policy ideas when applicable.
• Draft bills and/or administrative rules/regulations at the federal, state, or local levels, providing content expertise and legislative drafting knowledge.
• Prepare and deliver testimony on pending legislation before congressional committees or federal regulatory agencies; draft or advise on testimony delivered by ACLU state affiliates.
• Lobby elected officials, executive branch staff, and other public officials to support ACLU positions on pending legislation and policy initiatives.
• Support division and NPAD policy and government affairs leadership, and national and state campaign staff in preparing written materials, meeting with stakeholders, and advocating policies to internal and external audiences.
• Provide legislative counseling—including policy, legislative, or legal analysis, strategic planning guidance, and tactical suggestions—to other NPAD policy counsels and ACLU state affiliates.
• Coordinate and conduct in‑depth civil liberties briefings for government officials and staff as needed to advance priority ACLU positions.
• Help coordinate strategy designed to reach campaign goals or other policy or political outcomes across ACLU departments, state affiliates, and coalition partners.
• Collaborate with other NPAD policy and government affairs staff to manage relationships and coordinate on Capitol Hill and state policy work, achieving policy objectives.
• Represent the ACLU in meetings of ad‑hoc lobbying, policy, and political coalitions, as relevant.
• Provide expert commentary to media, participate in media briefings, and draft/op‑ed contributions with Communications staff.
• Organize, lead, and partner with outside groups to bolster support for ACLU policy goals or mitigate opposition.
• Ensure key ACLU positions and documents are…