Director, Media Relations & Editorial

DIRECTOR, MEDIA RELATIONS & EDITORIAL

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 Director, Media Relations & Editorial to join our Communications Department. Reporting to the VP, Communications the ideal candidate is passionate about civil and human rights and will have extensive experience writing and editing print and digital media content, as well as media relations and message building for advocacy communication campaigns and issues that drive The Leadership Conference’s mission.

This position will have leadership responsibility for 2 direct reports and is not part of the collective bargaining unit.

Candidate Profile:

- Manage high-priority communication initiatives, ensuring products or services are delivered on time, within scope, and aligned with narrative goals and campaign strategy.

- Provide strategic counsel to leadership on editorial matters, helping shape thought leadership content and high-profile written materials guiding the development of op-eds, commentary, and niche publications to extend reach and impact.

- Lead media relations program by building rapport and relationships at leading organizations.

- Help build brand strategy as it relates to media inquiries and securing select media coverage based on organizational priorities.

- Ensure that Editorial grows from a service function into more of a core driver of how the organization tells its overarching story across platforms actively helping shape policy work and how it translates into public engagement and impact.

- Oversee and contribute to the organization’s daily press outreach, editing press releases, statements, talking points, and op-eds to ensure clarity, tone, and message discipline.

- Support crisis communications execution and identify rapid response opportunities to national political developments, as well as active disinformation trends, leading Communications in strategic and rapid response implementation.

- Lead editorial strategy, overseeing a division responsible for writing projects andediting ofall written public-facing materials ensuring alignment with organizational goals and a proactive production approach to content development.

- Develop, maintain, and regularly update editorial guidelines and best practices, streamlining editorial workflows and implementing new editorial formats such as interactive reports, modular storytelling approaches, and AI-assisted editing tools.

- Partner with the digital strategy team to ensure editorial content is optimized for online engagement and distribution while keeping the primary focus on content quality and storytelling.

- Work with the communications staff of other organizations to align partner opportunities for visibility, including media outreach.

- Perform other duties as necessary and related.

In addition, strong candidates will offer:

- A minimum of 4 years of policy advocacy and political communications experience is required,and in nonprofits is preferred.

- Minimum of 4 years of cross-functional senior management experience in a communications department.

- A Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in education and experience.

- Proven commitment to civil and human rights with a passion for the issues represented by The Leadership Conference.

- Excellent verbal and written communication skills with attention to detail and the ability to bring one voice to The Leadership Conference.

- Proven track record of modernizing communications for organizations both internally and externally.

- Experience in fast-paced environments, including crisis communications and rapid response.

- Thoughtful listener with a keen ability for discernment.

- Experience in government relations/government affairs is a plus.

- Strong interpersonal skills and collegial working style.

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 $128,393 – $162,833.

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.