Director, Media Relations & Editorial

Director, Media Relations & Editorial

Overview

The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, a 501(c)(4) organization, is the premier coalition of more than 240 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 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 leadershipconferenceedfund.org.

About the Role

We are seeking a Director, Media Relations & Editorial, to join our Communications department. 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. Working with senior managers, this position will provide guidance on strategic media planning and, in collaboration with the VP, Communications, will be responsible for directing and implementing the organization’s media strategy.

This position will report to the VP, Communications and is not part of the collective bargaining unit.

What you will do

• 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 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 assigned

What you will bring

What We Offer

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

Salary Range

– $124,051 - $157,327

To apply

To apply, please visit our Career Center and submit your resume and cover letter. Cover letters are required and should be attached.

Telework Policy

The Telework Policy is implemented in three phases. The first phase, as of September 1, 2025; staff members are required to work in-person from the office at least two days per month. The second phase begins January 1, 2026; staff members will be required to work in-person from the office at least one day per week. The final phase begins April 1, 2026; staff members will be required to work in-person from the office at least two days per week.

All positions are subject to the telework policy summarized above. (A more detailed description of the telework policy – to include how in-office workdays are to be scheduled – is available upon request from People & Culture).

Please note staff members are exempt from working in-person if they have received medical accommodation or their position is designated as temporarily or permanently remote.

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.

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