The Defender Association of Philadelphia is seeking experienced, visionary and deeply committed leader to serve as the Chief of the Child Advocacy Unit (CAU). The Chief will lead 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 promote and protect 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. Duties & Responsibilities Vision & Operational Leadership • Advocacy: Elevate the youth voice within child welfare system • Strategic Direction: Collaboratively devise and implement the CAU's mission, core values, and strategic goals in alignment with the Defender Association. • Executive Collaboration: Serve on the senior leadership team to contribute to organization-wide decision-making and proactively communicate court and community updates to CAU staff. • Multidisciplinary Integration: Partner with the Chief of Social Services to seamlessly execute a multidisciplinary team model of service delivery. Legal Practice & Case Management • Caseload Management: Maintain a modest personal caseload to remain abreast of the law, while overseeing unit-wide case assignment protocols, staffing coverage, and equitable resource allocation. • Complex Litigation Support: Consult and guide attorneys on complex legal, ethical, and strategic issues (e.g., permanency, termination of parental rights, education, and older youth rights). • Systemic Advocacy: Collaborate with the appellate litigation team on cases presenting significant legal or systemic issues. Quality Assurance & Data • Representation Standards: Establish and enforce rigorous standards to ensure representation is consistently trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and effective at elevating youth voices and wishes. • Data-Driven Evaluation: Create systems for data collection to evaluate case outcomes, track budget/staffing needs, and continuously improve unit performance. • Funding Initiatives: Utilize data and client feedback to assist with grant proposals, funder reporting, and identifying new financial opportunities. Talent Development & Culture • Team Supervision: Supervise and mentor supervising attorneys, supervising social workers, and administrative staff through recurring 1:1s and performance evaluations. Create an environment of support and mentoring for the entire department. • Recruitment Strategy: Work with the Directors of Recruitment and Training to build robust pipelines for hiring and retaining staff and interns. • Professional Growth: Foster a culture of anti-racism, wellness, and accountability by proactively supporting staff public speaking, leadership, and educational opportunities. Qualifications Required • Education: Juris Doctor degree and active admission (or eligibility for admission) to the Pennsylvania Bar. • Litigation Experience: Minimum of 7-10 years of direct legal representation in dependency or child welfare proceedings, with strong knowledge of PA and federal legal frameworks. • Management Experience: Minimum of 5 years of management experience, demonstrating the ability to lead effectively in a high-volume public defense environment • Core Values: Demonstrated commitment to public defense, children's rights, diversity, equity, and inclusion. • Leadership: Track record of utilizing clear, positive and collaborative communication to foster a supportive teamwork environment or demonstrated potential to develop this competency Preferred • Jurisdictional Expertise: 5+ years of extensive practice navigating dependency court systems in Philadelphia. • Multidisciplinary Leadership: Proven experience directing cross-functional teams (social workers, mental health professionals, educators). • Systemic Impact: Track record of involvement in appellate, impact, policy, or legislative advocacy related to child welfare. • Talent Development: Documented success in creating formal training programs or staff retention 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 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.