SVP, Advocacy & Programs

Senior Vice President (SVP), Advocacy & Programs

Who We Are:

The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, a 501(c)(4) organization, is the premier coalition of more than 240 organizations that promotes and protects civil and human rights in America. The Leadership Conference has coordinated national lobbying efforts on behalf of every major civil rights law since 1957. To learn more about The Leadership Conference, please visit www.civilrights.org.

The Leadership Conference Education Fund, a 501(c)(3) organization, builds public will for federal policies that promote and protect civil and human rights in the US. Founded in 1969 as the education and research arm of The Leadership Conference, the Education Fund’s campaigns empower advocates to push for progressive change in the US. To learn more about the Education Fund, please visit www.leadershipconferenceedfund.org. 

About the Role:

We are seeking a Senior Vice President (SVP), Advocacy & Programs to lead our Advocacy & Programs Department. Reporting to the President & CEO, the ideal candidate will serve as an advisor to the President, and lead strategist for programmatic work with respect to congressional, executive branch, and targeted state and local advocacy.

This position will have leadership responsibility for three (3) direct report staff members and is not part of the collective bargaining unit.

What you will do:

• Collaborate with the President & CEO to develop and lead the implementation of an agile strategic plan for The Leadership Conference Advocacy & Programs.
• Identify, track, develop, and execute work plans for Advocacy & Programs, including but not limited to Free and Fair Elections, Education, Immigration, Justice, Social Safety Net and other key civil rights priorities as they emerge
• Assign and manage staff of the Advocacy and Programs department to execute the work plans and support coalition task forces, working groups and meetings of member organizations, partners, and allies to coordinate federal engagement and actions
• Engagement in direct lobbying is a significant component of this position. The SVP will be expected to cultivate and maintain relationships across the Executive and Legislative branches in furtherance of organizational and coalition policy objectives
  • This will require registration as a federal lobbyist as defined under the Lobbying Disclosure Act (LDA) and compliance with quarterly reporting requirements.
• Oversee the Advocacy & Programs budget to allocate resources as needed and ensure compliance with grant deliverables and other administrative tasks, such as documenting, measuring, and quantifying programmatic impact.
• Supervise and manage the Vice President, Center for Civil Rights & Technology and Vice President, Advocacy, ensuring departmental programming is operating effectively, with a defined strategy aligned with broader organizational and coalition objectives. 
• Identify and manage opportunities to engage and convene coalition partners around advocacy strategy and coordinate coalition collaboration on policy analysis and development. 
• Collaborate with the Executive Office and Development Department on fundraising initiatives.
• Serve as the organization’s representative on panels, at conferences, and in the media as appropriate, further coordinating the production of external reports, briefs, and other types of thought leadership that enhance the organization’s reputation and advance its policy agenda.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

What you will bring:

• A minimum of 10 years of federal lobbying and advocacy experience is required; nonprofit experience is preferred.
• A Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in education and experience; Juris Doctorate (JD) degree preferred. 
• Strategic leadership experience, including the ability to supervise highly skilled professionals and lead a team through coaching, mentorship, and collaboration among direct reports and across the organization
• Exceptional relationship-building and communications skills to collaboratively build consensus, support, and momentum across a wide range of stakeholders and issue areas. 
• Commitment to centering equity at every level—in individual work style, management, and with The Leadership Conference coalition partners. 
• Deep and principled commitment to civil and human rights.
• Budgeting and financial experience.
• Excellent writing and editing skills, including the ability to produce finished work products.
• Strong legal research and analytical skills, including drafting and analyzing.

What We Offer:

The Leadership Conference offers its staff members a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision coverage, and generous personal leave and vacation time. Staff can also take advantage of Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) and a retirement savings account.

Salary Range – $220,924 - $285,549, dependent on years of related experience.

To apply, please visit our Career Center and submit your resume and cover letter. Cover letters are required and should be attached.

Telework Policy:

The Telework Policy is implemented in three phases.

The first phase, as of September 1, 2025; staff members will be required to work in-person from the office at least two days per month. The second phase begins January 1, 2026; staff members will be required to work in-person from the office at least one day per week. The final phase begins April 1, 2026; staff members will be required to work in-person from the office at least two days per week.

All positions are subject to the telework policy summarized above. (A more detailed description of the telework policy – to include how in-office workdays are to be scheduled – is available upon request from People & Culture).

Please note staff members are exempt from working in-person if they have received medical accommodation or their position is designated as temporarily or permanently remote.

Our Commitment to an Inclusive Workplace

The Leadership Conference and The Education Fund are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, or disability.

Salary : $220,924 - $285,549