The client is seeking a Vice President (VP), Advocacy to join its Advocacy & Programs Department. Reporting to the Senior Vice President (SVP), Advocacy & Programs, the VP will serve as a senior advisor and strategist for the organization and its coalition, shaping advocacy priorities and federal engagement with congressional, executive branch, and targeted state and local policymakers. The role includes a significant component of direct lobbying and is expected to cultivate and maintain relationships across government to advance organizational and coalition policy objectives.
The VP will collaborate with the SVP to identify, track, develop, and execute advocacy work plans spanning core civil rights priorities such as free and fair elections, education, immigration, justice, and the social safety net, as well as other emerging priorities. Responsibilities include assigning and managing staff to execute work plans and support coalition task forces, working groups, and meetings to coordinate federal engagement and actions. The VP is also expected to advance the advocacy agenda through meetings, presentations, testimony, convenings, and interaction with elected officials and other external audiences, ensuring the department effectively promotes policy objectives aligned with the organization and its coalition members.
In addition, the VP will supervise and manage the Senior Program Director, Census and Data Equity, supporting the program’s strategy and effective operations in alignment with broader organizational goals. The position requires leadership, guidance, and staff development; overseeing policy document review and approval; translating proposals and legislation into actionable policy initiatives in collaboration with policymakers and regulatory officials; and coordinating external reporting, briefs, and thought leadership to support the policy agenda. The VP is expected to register as a federal lobbyist under the Lobbying Disclosure Act (LDA) and comply with quarterly reporting requirements, support budget development and initial approval, allocate resources for campaigns, and collaborate with development and executive office teams on fundraising initiatives.