Vice President, Policy & Law

We strongly encourage people of color, transgender and non-binary people to apply. HRC is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes everyone, including non-LGBTQ+ people, to join our team. Don’t meet every single requirement? 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 you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

Position Summary:

The Vice President, Policy and Law is the primary strategist and advocate for HRC’s policy agenda. This executive leads the development and execution of HRC’s 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 HRC’s 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 HRC’s 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.

Position Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership & Department Oversight

• With the SVP, set and lead the strategic vision for HRC’s 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 Board’s Public Policy Committee and external stakeholders including corporate partners and civil rights coalitions

Legal Strategy & Litigation

• Lead the organization’s 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 team’s analysis of policy proposals, regulatory changes, and judicial trends.

External Engagement & Thought Leadership

• 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.

Position Qualifications:

• A J.D. required and licensed to practice in at least one U.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.
• Proven ability to lead high-performing teams, drive cross-functional strategies and effectively collaborate in a fast-paced environment.
• Deep experience in legislative and administrative work and advocacy; litigation experience strongly preferred.
• Exceptional communicator with strategic vision and political acumen.
• Background in LGBTQ+ rights and civil rights law preferred.
• Commitment to the mission and values of HRC with a required interest/commitment to LGBTQ+ rights.
• 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., an I.R.C. 501(c)(4) non-profit entity.