VP, Advocacy

Vice President, Advocacy

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 seek an interim Vice President (VP), Advocacy to join our Advocacy & Programs Department. This position will report to the Senior Vice President (SVP), Advocacy & Programs. The ideal candidate will serve as a senior advisor to the SVP, Advocacy & Programs and at the direction of the SVP, act as a senior strategist for the organization and the coalition with respect to congressional, executive branch, and targeted state and local policymakers. This position will have leadership responsibility for five (5) direct report staff members. This position is not part of the collective bargaining unit.

What you will do:

• Collaborating with the SVP, Advocacy and 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 executive 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 VP 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.
• Advance the organization’s advocacy agenda and policy goals through meetings, presentations, testimony, convenings, and interaction with elected officials, government authorities, and other external audiences.
• Ensure that the Advocacy & Programs department effectively promotes the policy objectives of the organization and its coalition members.
• Supervise and manage the Senior Program Director, Census and Data Equity, ensuring that the Census and Data Equity Program is operating effectively, with a defined strategy aligned with broader organizational and coalition objectives.
• Provide leadership, guidance, and development opportunities to subordinate staff.
• Identify and manage opportunities to engage and convene coalition partners around advocacy strategy and coordinate coalition collaboration on policy analysis and development.
• Support the SVP in the development of the Advocacy and Programs budget and provide initial approval.
• Allocate resources as required in support of organization and coalition campaigns.
• Work with development staff and the executive office on fundraising initiatives.
• Serves as the organization’s representative on panels, at conferences, and in the media as appropriate.
• Coordinate the production of external reports, briefs, and other types of thought leadership that enhance the organization’s reputation and advance its policy agenda.
• Proof and approve legislative and executive letters and policy documents.
• Dissect and translate proposals/legislation and advance policy initiatives working closely with policymakers and regulatory officials.
• 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 minimum of a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in education and experience; Juris Doctorate (JD) degree preferred.
• Strategic management experience, including the ability to develop advocacy strategies, identify strategic opportunities, and navigate policy challenge, as well as supervise highly skilled professionals and lead a team through strategy development, coaching, mentorship, and collaboration among direct reports and across the organization.
• Exceptional coalition and relationship-building skills, including the capacity to build support and momentum across a wide range of stakeholders and issue areas.
• Diplomacy, relationship-building, and communications skills required to collaborate with leaders and activists across a diverse coalition to build support and consensus.
• 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 rights.
• Budgeting and financial experience.
• Excellent writing and editing skills, including the ability to produce finished work products.
• Strong legal and policy 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 – $206,107 – $257,145, 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 (Date - TBD); staff members will be required to work in-person from the office at least one day per week. The final phase begins (Date - TBD); 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.