Vice President, Advocacy

About The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights

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 www.civilrights.org.

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 U.S. 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 U.S.

To learn more about the Education Fund, please visit www.leadershipconferenceedfund.org.

The Opportunity

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.

Candidate Profile

• 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 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.
• Serve 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.

In addition, strong candidates will offer:

• 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 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.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by the people assigned. This posting is not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and requirements. The Leadership Conference reserves the right to amend duties, responsibilities, and requirements as necessary to meet organizational needs.

Compensation & Benefits

Our most valuable resource is the people who make up The Leadership Conference. Regardless of your position at The Leadership Conference, your efforts will impact meaningful work that positively affects individuals and communities nationwide.

The target salary range for this position is $213,321 – $266,145.

The range provided is the minimum and maximum salary. The Leadership Conference, in good faith, believes that at the time of this posting, it is willing to pay the advertised salary for the position. Exact compensation is commensurate with experience and reflects internal comparisons.

Salaries are just one component of The Leadership Conference’s total compensation package. The Leadership Conference is committed to supporting our staff’s physical, emotional, and financial well-being through a robust benefits package for you, eligible dependents, and domestic partners. It includes generous paid time off, including fifteen (15) federal holidays, as well as biweekly organization-specific holidays, medical, dental, and vision insurance, and transit benefits. You’ll also have access to professional development assistance and an Employee Assistance Program.

The Leadership Conference has formally recognized a collective bargaining agreement (CBA) with the Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU) Local 2 – AFL-CIO. The Leadership Conference and the Union, guided by a CBA, work together in good faith and are motivated by a shared history and commitment to this organization.

In-Office Work Policy

The Leadership Conference has implemented a hybrid In-Office Work Policy in three phases. As of September 1, 2025, the first phase requires staff members to work in person from the office at least 2 days per month. As of January 1, 2026, the second phase requires staff members to work in person from the office at least 1 day per week or 4 days per month. The final phase begins on April 1, 2026; staff members will be required to work in person from the office at least 2 days per week or 8 days per month.

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

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

Our Commitment to an Inclusive Workplace

The Leadership Conference is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race/ethnicity; color; religion; national origin; citizenship or immigration status, subject to the obligation to comply with any applicable requirements of federal immigration law; sex (including pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, false pregnancy, lactation, childbirth or related medical conditions, breastfeeding, reproductive health decisions, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender identity, gender expression, intersex traits and other sex characteristics, and sex stereotypes); age; marital status; personal appearance (including size and weight); family responsibilities; political affiliation; disability; matriculation; genetic information; veteran status; credit information; housing status; socioeconomic status; source of income; criminal legal involvement, unless for a legitimate business reason that is permitted under applicable law; union membership or activities; status as a victim or family member of a victim of domestic violence, sexual offense, or stalking; and any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.

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