Director, Media Relations & Editorial

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 (501(c)(4)) is a 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.

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 advance The Leadership Conference’s mission. This position will have leadership responsibility for two direct reports and is not part of the collective bargaining unit.

Responsibilities

• 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 selective media coverage based on organizational priorities.
• Ensure that Editorial grows from a service function into a core driver of how the organization tells its overarching story across platforms and actively shapes policy work and public engagement.
• 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 and editing of all 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.

Qualifications

• A minimum of four years of policy advocacy and political communications experience is required; nonprofit experience is preferred.
• Minimum of four 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.

Compensation & Benefits

The target salary range for this position is $128,393 – $162,833. The range provided is the minimum and maximum salary. 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 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.

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 two days per month. As of January 1, 2026, the second phase requires staff members to work in person from the office at least one day per week or four 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 two days per week or eight days per month.

All positions are subject to the in‑office work policy summarized above. Staff members are exempt from working in person if they have received a 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, sex (including pregnancy, lactation, and related medical conditions), gender identity, age, marital status, family responsibilities, disability, genetic information, veteran status, credit information, housing status, socioeconomic status, and any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.

Legal Notice

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.

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