About Human Rights Campaign (HRC)
The Human Rights Campaign envisions a world where every member of the LGBTQ+ family has the freedom to live their truth without fear, and with equality under the law. We engage our 3 million members and supporters to mobilize against attacks on people in our community - whenever and wherever they occur. We’ve spent over 40 years creating the most powerful movement for equality our country has ever seen. But despite this progress, the LGBTQ+ community is still suffering from violence, discrimination, and fear. Our goal is to ensure that all LGBTQ+ people, and particularly those of us who are trans, people of color and HIV+, are treated as full and equal citizens within our movement, across our country and around the world. Together we will fight until we achieve freedom, liberation and joy for all - without exception.
How we’re making change today We work locally, nationally, and globally on issues that affect the LGBTQ+ community. HRC partners with people across demographics, industries, and governments to provide leadership on how to back up pro-equality statements with real action — and create a society where none of us is left behind.
- We Mobilize Equality voters nationwide. With an estimated 62 million Equality Voters across America, our community is one of the country's largest and most politically engaged voting blocs.
- We Transform the places where LGBTQ+ people go to school, work, get healthcare and grow older, fundamentally improving the daily lives of more than 15 million workers and 11 million students.
- We Educate the public and the community about LGBTQ+ issues. Already, 20 percent of adults in Generation Z identify as a member of the LGBTQ+ community. And by 2040 will represent nearly one-fifth of the voting population.
- We Advocate to advance pro-equality legislation and litigation at the local, national and federal levels. Last legislative session we beat 91% of bad bills.
Living into the HRC values every day
When HRC is at its best, it is rooted in its values: heart; boldness; learning & openness; equity & intersectionality; responsibility; resilience; respect; and community & teamwork. We look to these values as we explore new opportunities, in times of success as well as crisis. We use them to drive a better way of working together and also to achieve better results in our work. We lean on them to better understand each other and the work we all are called to do
For more information, please visit the Human Rights Campaign and the Human Rights Campaign Foundation.
Our Next Era of Leadership
In November 2022, HRC welcomed visionary leader and civil rights champion, Kelley Robinson, to lead HRC’s 3 million members, mobilizers, and supporters. An unwavering advocate for inclusion, fierce optimist, battle-tested organizer, and changemaker whose career has centered around the fight for bodily autonomy and racial and gender equity, Robinson brings a renewed focus on lifting up marginalized communities and building political power.
The first Black, Queer woman to lead the organization, Robinson’s strength, compassion, knowledge, and reach are primed to lead HRC through uncharted territory. As legislative attacks, violent political rhetoric, and rising anti-LBGTQ+ sentiment send shockwaves through a divided country, Robinson’s leadership and advocacy are already propelling the organization to new heights.
Only 100 days into the role, Robinson and the HRC team have already built upon a legacy of activism and advocacy by cutting through the rising tide of hate and white supremacy endangering the community, its supporters, and allies. It’s been a time of victory—the passage of the Respect for Marriage Act; major gains against ending discriminatory blood bans on gay and bisexual men; historic protections for LGBTQ+ people in the long-standing battle for nondiscrimination protections in Michigan; new resources for Black parents of transgender, non-binary, and gender -expansive children; historic participation in HRC’s Time to THRIVE conference and our National Day of Reading; and so much more.
After decades of advocacy, HRC is now fighting some of the most vicious cycles of political attacks against the LGBTQ+ community in US history– this year alone, HRC is tracking more than 540 anti-LGBTQ+ bills that have been introduced at the state level, 220 of which target the trans community. Despite early landmark victories in Michigan, LGBTQ+ people face record legislative attacks and increasing violence against the community. Through it all, HRC has served as a steadfast mobilizer for pro-equality voices to fight back. Through the resistance and the triumph, through the grief and the joy, HRC has held space for each other, the community, and the movement, continuously proving itself as a power player in a rapidly changing landscape.
HRC’s heart, humanity, mobilization, and tireless advocacy have long been a rallying cry for LGBTQ+ people everywhere—and it’s just getting started. As Robinson and the HRC team lead the way in a new era of advocacy, coalition-building, and substantive, systemic change, HRC is approaching the future with renewed vigor and purpose to fight for change at every level—and for every single one of us.
The Opportunity
The Human Rights Campaign is seeking a strategic, innovative, and dynamic Senior Vice President of Communications and Brand (SVP) to provide vision, leadership, and strategic direction for the Human Rights Campaign’s external presence. The SVP helps design, shape, and execute a comprehensive, multifaceted communications program to advance LGBTQ+ equality and liberation. This role will be charged with building on and growing the position of HRC and the HRC Foundation as the leading LGBTQ+ civil rights organization. The SVP will help to shape, define and describe the future direction of HRC and how best to communicate it to a diverse cross-section of audiences.
The SVP will spearhead efforts to weave together organization-wide communications around public policy efforts, electoral campaigns, public research, and educational programs. The SVP will manage HRC communications activities and is responsible for winning the news day, generating strong positive press coverage, amplifying the HRC brand, and overseeing the quality and consistency of messaging from a communications perspective. The SVP will help frame issues for press and messaging for HRC stakeholders and engage the public through earned and paid media; lead efforts to reach new and diverse audiences; and advance the issues of LGBTQ+ equality in the public dialogue.
The SVP will work to ensure that the overarching communication, digital, and branding work streams are well-coordinated cross-organizationally, collaborating across all areas of the organization.
Reporting to and working closely with Kelley Robinson, the President of HRC, the SVP will oversee HRC’s communication, digital, and brand teams. The SVP will serve as a member of the Senior Leadership team, partnering with team members to uphold HRC’s mission, deliver impactful programs and lead in a manner that is consistent with HRC’s values.
The specific responsibilities of the SVP of Communications and Brand include, but are not limited to:
- Drive local and national media to elevate the crisis facing the LGBTQ+ community and the opportunities to positively impact change
- Lead crisis communications and rapid response
- Expand the brand presence and awareness of HRC as the largest national LGBTQ+ civil rights organization in the country
- Develop and launch innovative campaigns to drive supporter growth and deepen support engagement for HRC and the LGBTQ+ movement
- People and Project Management
Compensation & Benefits
The position is based in Washington, D.C. with a hybrid work environment of 2 days in the office. Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience, starting at $250K.
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.
Contact
Koya Partners, the executive search firm that specializes in mission-driven search, has been exclusively retained for this engagement. Molly Brennan and Malissa Brennan of Koya Partners have been exclusively retained for this search. Please submit a compelling cover letter and resume to by filling out our Talent Profile.
Koya Partners is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals living with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual living with a disability and need assistance expressing interest online, please email NonprofitSearchOps@divsearch.com. If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request an accommodation for the interview process.
Human Rights Campaign is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages applications from people of color, persons with disabilities, women, and LGBTQ+ applicants.