VP of Policy and Advocacy

Studies have shown that people from marginalized communities are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At HRC, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if youre excited about this role but your past experience doesnt align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. The Vice President, Policy and Law is the primary strategist and advocate for HRCs policy agenda. This executive leads the development and execution of HRCs comprehensive advocacy strategies across all levels of government. They guide a multidisciplinary team-including government affairs, legal policy, and litigation-to drive transformative change for LGBTQ+ communities nationwide.
This role ensures that HRCs policy efforts are proactive, responsive, and aligned with organizational priorities, effectively leveraging legal expertise, political strategy, and coalition-building to maximize impact. The VP also serves as HRCs principal legal advisor on public policy matters and represents the organization publicly on legal and legislative issues.

This position is based at the HRC headquarters located in Washington, DC, and is a hybrid/in-person position.
With the SVP, set and lead the strategic vision for HRCs policy and legal agenda in collaboration with senior leadership.
Directly oversee the Government Affairs, Legal Policy, and Litigation teams, ensuring strong alignment, collaboration, and execution across functions.
Guide the development of integrated short-term and long-term advocacy strategies across judicial, legislative, and administrative domains.
Manage department budgets and contribute to cross-organizational strategy as a staff leader.
Collaborate effectively with Campaigns & Communications, Equality Programs and Development and Membership teams to leverage organizational infrastructure toward policy goals.
Partners with Office of the President, Campaigns & Communications, Equality Programs and others on organizational rapid response.
Government Affairs & Policy Advocacy
Oversee federal and state legislative and administrative advocacy, ensuring HRC maintains strong relationships with policymakers, allies, and coalitions.
Ensure the development of legislation, policy recommendations, and advocacy materials that advance LGBTQ+ equality.
Serve as a key liaison to the Boards Public Policy Committee and external stakeholders including corporate partners and civil rights coalitions
Legal Strategy & Litigation
Lead the organizations legal strategy, overseeing impact litigation and amicus advocacy.
Identify strategic litigation opportunities and collaborate with pro bono counsel to advance landmark cases.
Oversee the legal teams analysis of policy proposals, regulatory changes, and judicial trends.
Represent HRC publicly on legal and policy matters, including in media, at conferences, and before legislative bodies.
Oversee development of briefs, reports and research that advances LGBTQ+ policy goals.
Partner with internal teams to ensure timely, accurate legal analysis and messaging for campaigns, communications, and educational programs.
S. jurisdiction with at least 15+ years of legal, policy, and/or government affairs experience, with senior leadership responsibilities including management experience of complex teams.
Deep experience in legislative and administrative work and advocacy; litigation experience strongly preferred.
Background in LGBTQ+ rights and civil rights law preferred.
Willingness to travel as needed and flexibility with work schedule as this position may often include evening and/or weekend work.

All positions at the Human Rights Campaign and/or the Human Rights Campaign Foundation may require travel on a regular basis or periodically. Where the need arises for business travel, appropriate compensation as outlined by the Fair Labor Standards Act will apply.

Employer is the Human Rights Campaign, Inc., No phone calls or emails, please. Due to the volume of applications we receive, we are unable to respond to queries about application status.