EVP, Communications

Salary Range

$206,699.00 To $244,775.00 Annually

Executive Vice President (EVP), Communications

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

In May 2022, civil rights attorney and activist Maya Wiley took the helm of both The Leadership Conference and its Education Fund, with a vision to save, as well as strengthen democracy in a turbulent and changing landscape and build on the legacy of this powerful coalition platform and its public education arm. Under Maya’s leadership, both entities are building on their strengths as multi-issue, diverse entities, with a growing coalition and growing audiences. The Leadership Conference and Education Fund are seeking to be significantly more proactive and forward-looking, strengthening the field’s ability to do the same, bridging the federal, state, and local work as fundamental rights are increasingly contested in all arenas. The EVP of Communications is a senior management-level position, reporting directly to the President and CEO in a dynamic, fast-paced, and innovative environment that values collaboration, coalition, and communications as central to meeting our mission of an America that lives up to its ideals.

The EVP, Communications role requires a collaborative leader with demonstrated success in modernizing communication channels and speed over a variety of earned and digital media platforms. Also, they are responsible for setting strategic department priorities, rebuilding the team structure and defining clear team goals, growing and protecting The Leadership Conference brand, increasing visibility and diversifying audiences, and developing strategies for impact to increase the narrative change needed to protect and expand democracy and civil rights.

This position will have 5 direct reports and is not part of the collective bargaining unit.

What You Will Do

Internal & External Strategy

• Develop and implement the strategic plan for the Communications department, supporting and advancing The Leadership Conference mission and organizational goals.
• Develop metrics and KPIs to assess impact and find areas for growth.
• Help develop organizational priorities and direction as part of the senior management team and provide strategic guidance on external impact and influence.
• Collaborate and partner with the leadership team to develop a long-term strategy on how the organization builds a state-of-the-art communications operation for critical campaigns and coalition partners.
• Innovate and develop new communication models that leverage the organization’s thinking, messaging, and tools used by coalition members.
• Advise the President and CEO on communications strategy.

Leadership

• Lead a communications team of approximately fourteen and oversee the team’s goals, timeline, and actions to meet communications and external impact goals.
• Rebuild the communications department to clearly define roles and processes in a collaborative environment with streamlined decision-making.
• Provide strategic communications leadership for all facets of our multi-issue civil and human rights agenda and affiliated educational campaigns.
• Supervise and build a team to successfully execute the department’s goals and objectives.
• Manage internal relationships and expectations while serving as the senior representative for the communications team.

Branding & Stewardship

• Develop and oversee the implementation of strategic communications plans to advance the mission and brand of the organization.
• Broaden awareness of organizational priorities and increase visibility across key stakeholders.
• Oversee all digital platforms and engagement strategies, including digital and earned media, email outreach, and paid marketing.
• Develop and execute a multi-channel digital program to expand reach to traditional and non-traditional audiences.
• Manage proactive and reactive crisis communications planning and execution.
• Oversee the development of high-level materials for the President, CEO, and senior leaders.

Operations

• Drive and build the department’s annual budget and work plan.
• Ensure communications efforts align with the organization’s financial development goals.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

What You Will Bring

• Proven commitment to civil and human rights.
• 15+ years of policy advocacy and/or political communications experience.
• 5 to 7 years of senior management experience in a communications role.
• Proven track record of modernizing communications for organizations internally and externally.
• Experience in crisis communications and rapid response.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills with attention to detail.
• Multi-tasking and strong project management skills in a fast-paced environment.

What We Offer

The Leadership Conference offers its employees 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: $206,699 – $244,775

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

Telework Policy

Staff may work from the office or remotely until March 1, 2025, when an updated telework policy will take effect. The policy will be implemented in three phases:

• Phase 1 (March 1, 2025): Staff must work in-person from the office at least two days per month.
• Phase 2 (September 2, 2025): Staff must work in-person from the office at least one day per week.
• Phase 3 (January 1, 2026): Staff must work in-person from the office at least two days per week.

Exemptions apply for staff with medical accommodations or positions designated as 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.