Senior Director, Strategic Communications

Who We Are:

The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, a 501(c)(4) organization, is the premier coalition of more than 230 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 a Senior Director, Strategic Communications to join the Communications leadership team with a deep commitment to civil and human rights. This is an excellent opportunity for an energetic, mission-driven, strategic communications leader excited to manage strategic communications strategy; build infrastructure; engage in planning; share expertise and best practices in messaging and branding. This role will lead a team and support a broad range of communications initiatives across the organization.

This position will report to the Executive Vice President (EVP), Communications and is not a part of the collective bargaining unit.

What you will do:

• Lead the Strategic Communications team and oversee the team’s goals, timeline, and actions to meet communications and external impact goals.
• Develop, implement, and oversee a strategic communications plan, including setting priorities and goals, measurable objectives, strategies, and tactics.
• Ensure consistency in narrative and messaging across strategic communications tactics.
• Provide strategic advice and counsel on all external and internal strategic communications, branding, and messaging issues.
• Oversee issue area strategic communication leads and communications planning for critical dates and campaigns.
• Oversees development of strategic communication planning, including verticals across earned media, editorial, publications, research, organizational narrative/messaging, and more.
• Communicates and collaborates effectively with external stakeholders and all levels of staff, including other Directors and the Senior Leadership Team (SLT), to provide information and consult across strategic communication needs.
• Establish and manage effective cross-team relationships with organization leadership, program leads, development, and others to identify communications goals, target audiences, and timely, strategic opportunities that advance collective priorities.
• Serves as the staff representative for the department’s relevant meetings, including The Leadership Conference task force meetings, legislative hearings, coalition meetings, conference calls, meetings with agency and legislative staff, and other events.
• Other projects and duties as necessary and assigned. 

What you will bring:

• A minimum of 9 years of strategic communications experience is required, and in nonprofits is preferred.
• At least three years of demonstrated success leading a communications team within a complex organizational structure.
• A Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in education and experience.
• Proven record in identifying and achieving measurable strategic communications goals, strategies, and tactics.
• Experience building and managing a team, including hiring, supervision, delegation, and establishing best practices in communications.
• Strong knowledge of values-based or asset framing and working with diverse audiences to advance solution-oriented messages.
• Passion for civil and human rights.
• Familiarity with maintaining an organization’s narrative and message structure.
• Excellent writing skills.
• Ability to quickly synthesize and distill large quantities of complex policy and/or issue-related information.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and effective interpersonal skills.
• Utilizes collaborative tools such as Google Drive, Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Slack, and more.
• Keen eye for detail and accuracy.

What We Offer:

The Organizations offer its employees a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision coverage, and generous personal leave and vacation time.  Employees can also take advantage of Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) and a retirement savings account.

Salary Range – $ $141,359 – $ $165,528, 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. 

Office Re-opening Statement

Currently, staff has the option to work from the office or home while we determine our long-term policy on remote and hybrid work. Please note this position is not permanently remote and over time the person filling this role may be required to work on occasion or regularly from the Washington, DC-based office.

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.