Summary

The American Civil Liberties Union of Tennessee (ACLU-TN) seeks a creative, strategic champion of civil rights and liberties to join our team as a policy strategist. The policy strategist will work collaboratively across the organization and alongside allied community partners, using strategic policy advocacy tactics to advance bold and impactful change in areas such as free speech and censorship, racial justice, trans justice, democracy and voting rights, and immigration. The ideal candidate has strong policy research and analysis skills, a deep understanding of advocacy tactics to influence policymakers and elected officials, and a commitment to advancing civil rights and liberties for all Tennesseans. The policy strategist reports to the policy director.

Responsibilities

Job responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Legislative Advocacy and Policy Strategy

• Advance ACLU-TN’s legislative and public policy agenda at the state, city, and county levels.
• Research and analyze local, state, and national laws and policies affecting Tennessee communities.
• Help develop and implement lobbying and advocacy strategies that advance ACLU-TN’s strategic priorities before the Tennessee General Assembly, governor’s office, and other governmental bodies.
• Support legislative advocacy efforts during legislative sessions (typically Jan-April) and special legislative sessions, including:
• • Tracking and analyzing legislation;
  • Preparing and delivering testimony, briefing materials, and policy recommendations;
  • Meeting with lawmakers, legislative staff, agency leaders, and other government stakeholders; and
  • Building productive bipartisan relationships to advance policy objectives.
• Gather, analyze, and report on quantitative and qualitative data related to policy goals and priorities.
• Produce policy and advocacy tools, including testimony, memoranda, policy papers and reports, talking points and fact sheets, advocacy letters, know-your-rights guides, and public commentary, collaborating with other departments as appropriate.

Relationship Building and Community Partnerships

• Forge and maintain relationships with government officials, community leaders, allied organizations, legislative staff, agency decision-makers, and lobbyists.
• Represent ACLU-TN in various community settings, working groups, and stakeholder groups; attend and help facilitate coalitions with diverse stakeholders and work in partnership with other organizations to advance shared policy goals.
• Strategically work with the community engagement department to engage ACLU-TN members and volunteers in legislative advocacy.

Communications and External Relations

• Assist ACLU-TN communications staff with their communications with supporters regarding the status of priority legislation during the session and other campaigns, including social media and website updates, action emails to supporters, bill summaries and talking points, and explainer videos.
• Work with ACLU-TN communications staff to occasionally serve as the organization's spokesperson, including through media interviews, op-eds, and articles, and provide support and guidance on communications strategies related to policy issues.
• Represent ACLU-TN at public forums, conferences, meetings, and in other settings with other external stakeholders.

Reporting and Administrative Duties

• Maintain accurate, organized, and up-to-date records, files, and policy resources.
• Track priority legislation and maintain legislative calendars, hearing schedules, and advocacy timelines.
• Prepare timely reports, updates, and analyses regarding advocacy activities, legislative developments, and program outcomes.
• Support departmental planning, project management, and administrative functions as needed.

Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging

• Advance ACLU-TN’s commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging in advocacy strategies, organizational practices, and community partnerships.
• Contribute to department and organization-wide efforts to ensure programs, policies, and engagement practices are inclusive, equitable, and responsive to impacted communities.

Other Duties

• Perform other related duties and responsibilities as assigned by the policy director

Qualifications

The successful candidate will possess many of the following qualifications and attributes. If you are excited about the position but unsure whether or not you are qualified, we encourage you to apply.

• At least two years of experience in public policy advocacy and research at state or local levels is preferred.
• Demonstrated commitment to civil rights and civil liberties consistent with the mission and goals of ACLU-TN.
• Excellent policy analysis, research, and written and oral advocacy skills, including the ability to articulate complex issues and communicate them effectively to various audiences.
• J.D. or graduate degree in public policy is preferred but not required.
• Experience with legislative procedures, bill drafting, policy development, and analysis.
• Ability to proactively build and cultivate effective relationships across the political spectrum.
• Familiarity with the Tennessee political landscape, state and local government issues, and the legislative process.
• Experience working in coalition, including developing shared plans, coordinating communications, and managing dynamics among partner groups.
• Demonstrated commitment to centering the voices and leadership of directly impacted people and communities.
• Ability to stay organized in a fast-paced environment, manage several projects simultaneously, and adjust to frequently changing demands while maintaining strong attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment with support and collaboration from the supervisor.
• Willingness and ability to work irregular hours, especially during the legislative session, and to attend occasional evening and weekend meetings.
• Experience using relevant technical tools and knowledge-sharing resources, e.g., legislative tracking tools, databases, etc.
• Comfortability producing qualitative and quantitative data analytics.

Hybrid Work Environment

ACLU-TN headquarters is in Nashville, Tennessee, and the Policy Strategist position is based in our Nashville office. While we welcome applications from candidates nationwide, the successful candidate must establish and maintain residency in Tennessee and reside within the Nashville-Davidson County Metropolitan Statistical Area.

This role requires a substantial in-person presence to effectively support legislative advocacy, coalition-building, stakeholder engagement, and organizational collaboration. Because legislative activity often requires timely, on-the-ground engagement, the Policy Strategist is expected to work primarily from the Nashville area and be available for frequent in-person meetings, events, and advocacy activities, particularly during the Tennessee General Assembly's legislative session.

ACLU-TN operates under a hybrid work model. Outside of the legislative session, staff are generally expected to work from the Nashville office at least eight (8) days per month; however, additional in-office and in-person participation may be required based on the demands of the role. Candidates residing outside Tennessee at the time of application will be considered but must relocate prior to the start of employment.

Limited travel throughout Tennessee may be required to support advocacy efforts, coalition-building, community engagement, and other organizational priorities. Occasional limited out-of-state travel may also be required.

Compensation

This is a full-time, exempt position with a starting salary range of $65,000 – $70,000. Staff members receive a generous benefits package, including a minimum of 15 vacation days, 12 sick days, and 2 personal days, along with at least 13 recognized holidays; 100% employer-covered health insurance (medical, dental, and vision); a flexible-spending account; a 401(k)-matched retirement contribution; 12 weeks of parental leave; long- and short-term disability; life insurance; an annual professional development stipend; and snacks in the office. ACLU-TN reserves the right to alter or eliminate employee benefit plans and programs.

Apply

If you're excited about devoting your talents and skills to ACLU-TN, please submit the following through the ACLU-TN Career Page (Rippling):

• Resume
• Cover letter
• Writing sample (maximum 3 pages)
• Three professional references (name, email, and phone),including at least one former supervisor (references will not be contacted without your prior authorization).

Writing samples may be professional, academic, or otherwise representative of your writing abilities and do not need to be policy-focused. Please submit a sample that primarily reflects your own work and has undergone minimal external editing or revision.

Because strong written communication is a critical component of this position, application materials should reflect your own work and voice. We ask applicants not to submit materials that are generated by artificial intelligence (AI) tools. Use of AI for proofreading, formatting, or other limited editorial assistance is acceptable; however, application materials should primarily represent your own ideas, analysis, and writing.

Tentative Hiring Timeline

• August 21, 2026: Priority Application Deadline
• August 31, 2026: Assessments/Interviews Begin
• Early-October: Offer extended

To ensure a fair and efficient hiring process, we are unable to accept phone calls or meeting requests regarding submitted applications outside of scheduled interviews. Priority consideration will be given to completed applications received by August 21. The position will remain open until filled, and the posting will be removed from the ACLU-TN and ACLU websites once a candidate has been selected.

ACLU-TN is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. ACLU-TN encourages applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status and record of arrest or conviction, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Black people; Indigenous people; people of color; lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, non-binary, gender-nonconforming and intersex people; women; people with disabilities; protected veterans; and formerly incarcerated individuals are all strongly encouraged to apply.

ACLU-TN makes every effort to ensure that its recruitment and employment practices provide all qualified persons, including persons with disabilities, with full opportunities for employment in all positions. ACLU-TN is committed to providing reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities. Please do not hesitate to inquire at [email protected] if you believe you may need accommodation during the application or interview process.