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 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 www.leadershipconferenceedfund.org.
The Opportunity
The Leadership Conference is seeking a Senior Vice President (SVP), Advocacy & Programs to lead their Advocacy & Programs Department. Reporting to the President & CEO, the ideal candidate will serve as a key advisor to the President, and lead strategist for programmatic work with respect to congressional, executive branch, and targeted campaign strategies that bridge federal strategies and state and local advocacy of the coalition.
This position will have leadership responsibility for three (3) direct report staff members and is not part of the collective bargaining unit.
Candidate Profile
The SVP will bring strategic acumen, creativity, strong non-partisan political instincts, and a forward-looking perspective to navigating unprecedented federal and congressional dynamics and attacks on established civil and human rights. The SVP will lead the organization’s advocacy strategy and execution functions through a period of significant transformation, working with the senior team to build a new strategic blueprint for the department, while building new and effective ways of engaging, supporting and advancing coalitional strategies, including through Task Forces and other convening.
The following offers an aspirational view of the ideal candidate profile; we encourage applications from candidates with a wide range of experiences and backgrounds, especially those from underrepresented groups.
Strategic Leadership & Policy Direction
- Collaborate with the President & CEO to develop and lead the implementation of an agile set of strategies and for Advocacy & Programs, that recognize the central role of coalitional formulation, engagement and expertise
- Identify, track, develop, and execute work plans for Advocacy & Programs, including Free and Fair Elections, Education, Immigration, Justice, Social Safety Net, and other emerging civil rights priorities.
- Provide strategic oversight and support to programmatic hubs – the Center for Civil Rights and Technology and the Census and Data Equity program – ensuring priorities and strategy is integrated and complimentary to overall Advocacy & Programs departmental plans.
- Oversee and lead direct federal lobbying efforts, cultivating and maintaining high-level, respected relationships across both the Executive and Legislative branches.
Team Leadership & Staff Management
- Guide the organization through structural and cultural evolution, building trust and transparency across teams.
- Assign and manage staff of the Advocacy and Programs department to execute work plans and support coalition task forces, working groups, and meetings of member organizations, partners, and allies.
- Supervise and manage the Vice President, Center for Civil Rights & Technology and Vice President, Advocacy, ensuring departmental programming is operating effectively and aligned with organizational and coalition strategies.
Coalition Building & External Engagement
- Serve as a central convener and force multiplier for one of the nation’s broadest civil and human rights coalitions.
- Identify and manage opportunities to engage and convene coalition partners to develop advocacy strategies in key areas – including the Center for Civil Rights and Technology and Census and Data Equity portfolios – coordinating collaboration on policy analysis and development.
- Leverage coalition expertise to inform internal strategy; ensure the organization remains collaborative, transparent, and responsive to coalition needs.
- Build trust and maintain effective relationships with diverse partner organizations, managing complex dynamics and aligning stakeholders around shared goals.
- Represent the organization’s representative on panels, at conferences, and in the media.
- Coordinate the production of external reports, briefs, and other thought leadership to enhance the organization’s reputation and advance its policy agenda.
Resource & Operational Management
- Oversee the Advocacy & Programs budget to allocate resources effectively and ensure compliance with grant deliverables and other administrative tasks, such as documenting, measuring, and quantifying programmatic impact.
- Collaborate with the Executive Office and Development Department on fundraising initiatives and support strategies to increase resources for advocacy and programmatic work.
- Registration as a federal lobbyist under the Lobbying Disclosure Act (LDA) and compliance with quarterly reporting requirements.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
In addition, strong candidates will offer:
- Approximately 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in federal lobbying, congressional work, executive branch engagement, or related advocacy roles.
- Deep familiarity with coalition-based work and experience leading diverse stakeholders around shared policy goals.
- Strategic leadership experience, including the ability to supervise highly skilled professionals and lead a team through coaching, mentorship, and collaboration among direct reports and across the organization
- Exceptional relationship-building and communications skills to collaboratively build consensus, support, and momentum across a wide range of stakeholders and issue areas.
- 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 and human rights.
- Budgeting and financial experience.
- Excellent writing and editing skills, including the ability to produce finished work products.
- Strong legal research and analytical skills, including drafting and analyzing.
- A Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in education and experience; Juris Doctorate (JD) degree preferred.
Compensation and 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 $220,924– $285,549.
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 Return-to-Office 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.
Contact
DSG | Koya has been exclusively retained for this engagement, which is being led by Molly Brennan and Trisha Sutrisno. Submit a compelling cover letter and resume by filling out our Talent Profile. All inquiries are strictly confidential.
DSG | Koya is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals living with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual living with a disability and need assistance expressing interest online, please email [email protected]. If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request an accommodation for the interview process.
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.
About DSG | Koya
DSG | Koya, a DSG Global company, is the nation’s premier search firm dedicated to mission-driven leadership. Since its founding in 2004, DSG | Koya has had an exclusive focus on mission-driven clients and was founded on the belief that the right leader can transform an organization and have a deep and measurable impact on our world. DSG | Koya works with nonprofits & NGOs, responsible businesses, and social enterprises in local communities and around the world.
DSG Global is consistently recognized by Forbes on its top 10 list of “America’s Best Executive Recruiting Firms” and is an industry leader in recruiting transformational leaders for a changing world. The firm is deliberately different in its approach, with best-in-class teams who have decades of experience in cultivating inclusive leaders, understanding the dimensions of diversity, and building equitable teams.
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