Job Description

Are you interested in helping others to understand, use, and shape the law to combat anti-Black racism related to housing and property dispossession? The Institute is seeking a Deputy Executive Director to partner with our Founder in supporting impacted community members. This role requires a high degree of intellectual agility to pivot strategies in real-time to achieve justice-oriented results. As a key strategic partner, you will create strategies, manage operational systems, drive research, and turn foundational success into a sustainable legacy, all while maintaining the flexibility to navigate the twists and turns inherent in grassroots organizing.

Reporting directly to the Founder and Executive Director, the successful candidate will be someone who embraces rapidly shifting priorities as an opportunity for growth and impact, rather than a disruption to the mission. This position is primarily remote but ideally based in the Detroit, Michigan metro area. At a minimum, a successful candidate shall have availability to travel to Detroit approximately once a month.

Job Responsibilities

• In collaboration with the Executive Director and community partners, develop and implement a strategy for the Institute's research, legal, and organizing projects.
• Work with community and coalition partners to articulate strategic goals to build power within communities and to advance the broader goals of the coalition.
• To meet the articulated goals, identify opportunities for legislative advocacy at the municipal and state levels; draft proposals, identify allies and champions, and engage in coalition-based advocacy efforts.
• Pursue litigation opportunities at the municipal and state levels in furtherance of shared goals, leveraging/developing subject matter expertise in property taxes.
• Identify and work with pro bono partners to advance the legal work of the organization.
• Demonstrate a willingness to engage in all levels of the work-from high-stakes partner meetings to the granular execution of daily tasks-ensuring project momentum regardless of the current team's composition.
• Strengthen organizational systems, policies, and workflows to support effective work.
• Manage a diverse team, providing direct oversight to student fellows, contractors, and full time staff and handling specific community or partner-facing portfolios.
• Design and implement management systems that allow the team to meet rigorous project milestones within a flexible staffing model, ensuring that, although there is a rotating group of student fellows, long-term goals are achieved.
• Lead the recruitment, hiring, and onboarding of new team members, ensuring that new team members are quickly integrated into the Institute's culture and workflows.
• Develop and oversee budgets, ensuring fiscal responsibility and the strategic allocation of resources across multiple workstreams.
• Support fundraising efforts by arranging donor meetings and completing donor reports.
• Act as a key ambassador for the Institute, articulately presenting the mission and impact to the public, community leaders, and external stakeholders.

Qualifications

• At least three years of law practice, and ability to get barred in Michigan within 12 months of hire.
• Significant leadership experience, ideally in movement, nonprofit, or public-interest settings.
• At least two years of community organizing experience or exposure.
• Experience responsibly managing budgets and organizational resources.
• Adept at managing multiple activities and shifting requirements.
• Strong strategic planning skills, with the ability to translate the mission into actionable workplans.
• Ability to cultivate and maintain productive relationships with a multifaceted network of partners and community members, fostering an environment of inclusivity and mutual respect.
• Thrive in an evolving work environment that often needs to pivot activities to achieve results.
• Existing professional relationships within the Detroit community are highly desirable.

Additional Information

Compensation and Benefits
The salary range for this position is $90,000 - $105,000. The Institute offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes employer contributions to health, dental, and vision insurance plans for employees and dependents and 401(k) matching contributions.

Application Process
If you are interested in this position and meet the qualifications above, please submit a single PDF document containing a one-page cover letter, and CV/resume outlining your interest in this position and why you would be a good fit. Please note that the cover letter is considered an important aspect of the application and will be evaluated against the qualifications above. Applications that do not include a cover letter will not be considered. Only shortlisted
candidates will be contacted.