Assistant Managing Director

The Defender Association of Philadelphia is seeking a experienced and deeply committed leader to serve as the Assistant Managing Director of the Child Advocacy Unit (CAU). The Assistant Managing Director is the Managing Director's principal partner in leading a large and dynamic multidisciplinary department to ensure that children and young people in the child welfare and dependency systems receive high-quality, trauma-informed, client-centered legal representation. Our team of attorneys and social workers promotes and protects the legal and best interests of children from birth to twenty-one. This is an opportunity to champion the rights and futures of our most vulnerable clients. What You'll Do Leadership & Operations • Direct daily legal operations, managing case assignments, workflow distribution, and court coverage. • Drive strategic unit priorities, utilizing data and client feedback to inform resource allocation and reporting. • Represent the unit to external stakeholders and serve as acting Managing Director when necessary. • Mentor a diverse team, fostering a collaborative, accountable, and supportive workplace culture. Staff Supervision & Development • Manage, evaluate, and coach Supervising Attorneys through regular case consultations and courtroom observations. • Partner with recruitment and training directors to hire, onboard, and develop legal staff. Legal Strategy & Practice Standards • Enforce rigorous standards for legal analysis, written advocacy, database management, and ethical representation. • Advise on complex case strategy and collaborate with appellate counsel on legal developments. • Maintain a limited caseload, co-counsel cases, and provide emergency court coverage. Equitable & Multidisciplinary Advocacy • Champion trauma-informed representation that empowers youth voices and challenges systemic biases (e.g., racism, poverty). • Partner with Social Service Supervisors, peer advocates, and lived experts to ensure cohesive, multidisciplinary client support. What You'll Need Required Qualifications • Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school. • Admission to the Pennsylvania Bar, or eligibility for admission. • At least 5 years of dependency or related child-welfare litigation experience, with excellent research, writing, negotiation, and courtroom advocacy skills. • Strong knowledge of dependency law, child welfare law, and relevant state and federal legal frameworks. • Demonstrated commitment to public defense, children's rights, family integrity and racial justice, with experience applying anti-racist and trauma-informed approaches to representation and leadership. • Ability to lead effectively in a complex, high-volume public defense environment. • Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and culturally responsive representation. • Sound judgment, attention to detail, effective communication, and reliable follow-through; ability to build trust, manage competing priorities, and lead multidisciplinary work. Preferred Qualifications • At least 3 years of attorney supervisory or management experience. • Philadelphia dependency practice. • Multidisciplinary leadership experience. • Experience with appellate, impact, policy, or systemic advocacy. • Experience developing training programs or professional development initiatives. Benefits & Perks • Comprehensive Benefits: Affordable medical care options plus employer paid vision, dental, life and long- term disability insurances • Generous Time Off: 25 days of paid time off (PTO) annually, in addition to all federal holidays • Wellness Initiatives: Dedicated, separate sick leave policy alongside organizational programming to support your physical and mental health • Family Support: 10 weeks of paid parental leave • Retirement: Generous retirement savings plan withEmployer Match • Commuter Benefits: Free Septa All Access Key card • PSLF: We are a Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) eligible employer • Culture: Meaningful, mission-driven work within a supportive, learning-focused, and collaborative environment. To apply Please apply online with a resume and cover letter detailing your interest and relevant experience. Please include a writing sample related to children and youth issues that is no more than 20 pages.