Senior Program Manager and Staff Attorney, Edley Center on Law & Democracy (5219C), Berkeley Law #87449

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Departmental Overview

The Edley Center's mission is to defend and strengthen democratic institutions in the United States through actionable research and public leadership.

Position Summary

The Senior Program Manager and Staff Attorney in the Edley Center on Law & Democracy designs and directs innovative new national programming to build in the 50 states new infrastructure and capacity to combat public corruption and to promote, investigate, and enforce civil rights protections to all state residents; create and support a new national association of state civil rights chiefs to support effective civil rights protection across and among states; produce public reports on the effectiveness of state programs and areas for growth and improvement; build internal Berkeley Law capacity to engage with these issues and lead in these areas.

This position exists to fulfill the Edley Center mission to strengthen democratic institutions in the United States through actionable research, program development, and public leadership. The position will lead development of academic program proposals and supportive funding proposals, MOUs for programs and partnerships, model policy and practice development, and directly engage with program participants to achieve the Center's goals. They will also supervise student researchers, design curriculum, and annually partner with existing student organizations such as the student initiated legal project (SLP) known as PEEP (Political Election and Empowerment Project) to identify academic research projects that will advance the Center's mission. As the Center grows, this position will hire additional staff.

The position requires significant experience developing and leading sensitive and high-stakes programming, litigating and enforcing civil rights and/or anti-corruption, managing, training and developing staff, managing complex budgets including gift and grant funds and reporting, leading intergovernmental cooperation, and developing scalable training opportunities for students to engage with the programs and issues that the Edley Center is working on.

Application Review Date

The First Review Date for this job is July 29, 2026. For full consideration, please apply on or before the first review date.

Responsibilities

Program Design and Partnership Lead

• Designs and develops programs and initiatives to engage students, practitioners, policy-makers, and members of the public on issues of relevance to the Edley Center's work and mission.
• Leads the development and coordination of the Center's work with internal partners, including the pro bono program, and works closely with key stakeholders such as the Assistant Dean of Academic Planning to explore and advance initiatives such as the development of practicums and other experiential learning opportunities.
• Directs development of conferences and other public forums, companion publications and training materials, online resources, and other tools and materials.
• Leverages legal training, professional experience, and research expertise to propose and develop litigation and advocacy strategies, both independently and in collaboration with partner organizations, in support of Center initiatives.
• Incorporates a nuanced understanding of issues that impact democratic institutions in order to identify emergent topics, propose new programs, and respond to changing circumstances.
• Applies excellent political acumen and substantive knowledge of the issues that the Edley Center is focused on to build capacity, partnerships, critical relationships in order to build, expand, and iterate programs.

Program Management

• Directs and leads the administration of programs and initiatives designed to strengthen state and local capacity to respond to, challenge, and protect against unlawful government actions.
• Oversees student employees, student organization partners, and administrative support staff to ensure timely completion of program goals and high-quality results. Identifies and facilitates opportunities for students to engage in directed research with faculty and other partners to enhance experiential learning and program impact.
• Collaborates with faculty and academic personnel, as well as staff within Berkeley Law and external institutions, to design and implement high-quality programs, projects, and initiatives.
• Develops and implements systems and processes to effectively manage multiple programs serving diverse audiences, ensuring coordination, consistency, and operational efficiency.
• Directs a portion of the administrative work performed by staff as necessary to meet the program's needs and deliverables.

Direct Impact Work

• Leads the drafting and filing of amicus briefs, motions and other materials, inclusive of policy materials, to advance the state and local capacity the program conceives.
• Makes court appearances as needed.
• Designs programs that integrate learning opportunities for students in support of this work.
• Builds coalitions and partnerships through MOUs and other vehicles in order to accomplish goals.
• Performs research and directs research performed by students and others engaged with specific programs.
• Delivers public presentations; facilitates virtual and in-person trainings; leads convenings, workshops, and related events; and develops communication and outreach strategies to effectively engage external audiences and stakeholders.

Program Evaluation and Budget Management

• Assesses program's effectiveness and recommends changes to program content, policies, and procedures accordingly.
• Uses a variety of tools and techniques to solicit feedback from program participants and identify other key performance measures that have been identified in partnership with the Executive Director of the Edley Center for Law and Democracy.
• Participates in advanced program budgeting and accounting processes to support a self-supporting and sustaining financial infrastructure of the program.
• Authors reports, summarizes data, and responds to requests for information from the Executive Director about project status and progress toward goals.
• Identifies opportunities to reduce operational expenses, enhance revenue generation, and develop recommendations to support the Center's financial sustainability and strategic growth.
• Collaborates directly with Business Services and Finance to monitor program budgets, support financial planning, and ensure compliance with University policies, procedures, and fiscal guidelines.

Fundraising and External Relations

• Identifies and pursues funding opportunities and revenue streams to support and expand the programs, services, and resources that the Edley Center provides.
• Represents the Center in collaboration with external partners and stakeholders to advance knowledge of state powers, strengthen democratic governance, and expand state capacity initiatives.
• Applies advanced knowledge of program design, administration, evaluation, and applied impact work to develop proposals for new and innovative initiatives, programs, and strategic opportunities.

Supervision

• Responsible for hiring, training, and supervising student employees.
• As the Center and its programs expand, collaborates closely with the Executive Director to support strategic workforce planning, organizational restructuring, and staffing initiatives.
• May direct work of administrative support staff.
• Makes recommendation for other actions such as procurement of independent contractors.
• In a non-supervisory capacity, provides direction and guidance for the research and related work of students, affiliates, and Center partners in support of programmatic and strategic initiatives.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Advanced knowledge in federal and state constitutional and administrative law and practice.
• Expertise in legal research, analysis, and advocacy strategy development.
• Strong understanding of program design, development, and evaluation.
• Strong interpersonal skills to establish and maintain effective working relationships with faculty, students, staff, external partners, and stakeholders across diverse institutional and professional environments.
• Familiarity with law student development and legal education frameworks.
• Ability to exercise sound judgement, use discretion and maintain all confidentiality.
• Computer and technical skills, including proficiency in using standard productivity, communication, and video conferencing platforms (e.g., Microsoft Office Suite, Google Workspace, Zoom); ability to learn and effectively use new software systems and digital tools as required to meet evolving program needs.
• Strong project and program management skills, including the ability to oversee multiple concurrent initiatives, manage timelines, and ensure high-quality deliverables.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including experience developing reports, publications, policy materials, and delivering public presentations, trainings, and convenings.
• Significant litigation and/or administrative enforcement and policy experience.
• Significant experience leading sensitive intergovernmental and/or coalition policy building.
• Demonstrated experience developing and administering multi-source budgets for centers, programs, or departments, including grant, operational, and restricted funds.
• Advanced problem-solving skills, with the ability to develop creative and strategic solutions.
• Strategic planning skills, including the ability to help design long-term initiatives that influence legal and policy outcomes.
• Thorough understanding of complex legal issues.
• Exceptional legal research, analytical, and persuasive writing skills, particularly in drafting legal documents, such as pleadings, legal responses, affidavits, position statements and briefs.
• Demonstrated commitment to the highest ethical standards.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Experience supervising and/or directing others to achieve shared institutional goals.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate and work effectively with individuals and groups from a wide range of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives.
• Demonstrated commitment to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment that promotes collaboration and mutual respect among all members of the UC Berkeley community and its stakeholders.
• Must demonstrate strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to engage with and understand individuals from varied academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender, and ethnic backgrounds.

Education / Training

• Advanced degree in Law, such as a Juris Doctor (J.D.), Master of Laws (LL.M), and/or equivalent experience/training. (Required)

Licenses / Certifications

• A member in good standing of the CA Bar Association. (Required)

Salary & Benefits

For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University, please visit the University of California's Compensation & Benefits website.

Under California law, the University of California, Berkeley is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role and should not offer a salary outside of the range posted in this job announcement. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions, including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, analysis of internal equity, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience.

The budgeted annual salary range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $130,500.00 - $163,200.00.

• This is an exempt, monthly-paid position.
• This is a full-time (40 hours/week) Career position eligible for UC benefits.

How to Apply

To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter.

Other Information

• This position is eligible for up to 1 days/week remote work within the United States. Exact arrangements are determined in partnership with your supervisor to meet role responsibilities and department needs and are subject to change.
• This is not a visa opportunity. This position does not include sponsorship of a new consular H-1B visa petition that would require payment of the $100,000 supplemental fee.
• This position is covered by the collective bargaining agreement between UAW (United Auto Workers) and the University of California Regents for RP.

Conviction History Background

This is a designated position requiring fingerprinting and a background check due to the nature of the job responsibilities. Berkeley does hire people with conviction histories and reviews information received in the context of the job responsibilities. The University reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check.

Misconduct

As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

"Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:

UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy

UC Anti-Discrimination Policy

Abusive Conduct in the Workplace

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.