VP, Advocacy

VP, ADVOCACY

The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, a 501(c)(4) organization, is the premier coalition of more than 240 national organizations that promotes and protects civil and human rights in America. The Leadership Conference has coordinated federal strategy and action, including national lobbying and regulatory efforts on behalf of every major civil rights law since 1957.

To learn more about The Leadership Conference, please visit (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)..

The Leadership Conference Education Fund, a 501(c)(3) organization, builds public will for federal civil rights 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 people and advocates to push for progressive change in the US.

To learn more about the Education Fund, please visit .

The Leadership Conference is seeking a Vice President (VP), Advocacy to join our Advocacy & Programs Department. Reporting 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 5 direct reports and is not part of the collective bargaining unit.

• 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 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 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 Lobby (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 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 necessary and related.

• Strong legal and policy research and analytical skills, including drafting and analyzing.

• A minimum of 10 years of federal lobbying and advocacy experience is required, and in nonprofits is preferred.
• 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 challenges, 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…