Associate Editorial Director, Political Participation and Policy

The NAACP Legal Defense & Educational Fund, Inc. (LDF) is the country’s first and foremost civil and human rights law organization. Founded in 1940 under the leadership of Thurgood Marshall, who subsequently became the first Black U.S. Supreme Court Justice, LDF was launched at a time when the nation’s aspirations for equality and due process of law were stifled by widespread state-sponsored racial inequality. From that era to the present, LDF’s mission has been transformative — to achieve racial justice, equality, and an inclusive society.

LDF’s litigation, public policy advocacy and public education programs in the substantive areas of criminal justice, economic justice, education, and political participation seek to ensure the fundamental and basic human rights of all people to quality education, economic opportunity, the right to vote and fully participate in democracy, and the right to a fair and just judicial system. LDF continues to make an impact in the area of public service and was recognized by Fast Company as one of its 2023 Brands That Matter under its public service category.

LDF operates in a hybrid work environment where employees are expected to be in the office a minimum of two days per week, unless otherwise indicated.

Responsibilities

The Associate Editorial Director, Political Participation and Policy is responsible for the development of communications plans, strategies and tactics to support LDF’s political participation pillar and its Policy team.

Reporting to the Director of Editorial, Executive Communications, this role manages the policy communications calendar and coordinates with communications strategists to ensure alignment across the policy and communications teams.

• Draft statements and press releases; suggest and advise on media advisories and press pitches;
• Draft talking points, messaging, and leader remarks;
• Develop proactive, original, and journalistic content on issues related to political participation and policy matters;
• Provide rapid response support as issues and events;
• Work with the Digital and Media Relations teams to guide content creation and develop appropriate internal and external tactics;
• Participate in key political participation and policy-related internal and external coalition meetings;
• Serve as communications subject matter expert;
• Lead the other members of the Communications team in understanding the priorities of the political participation and policy teams;
• Curate relationships with relevant external organizations and networks;
• The Associate Editorial Director is a close thought partner to the Editorial Directors and steps in as back-up when Editorial Directors are not available; and
• Other duties as assigned within the general scope of the position.
  
  

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred.
• Preferred fields of study include, Communications, English, Journalism, Political Science, Government, Public Policy, History, African American Studies.
• Commitment to the racial justice mission of LDF.
• 8 years of related professional experience including team leadership roles.
  
  

This is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, skills, efforts or requirements or working conditions associated with the job. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the current job, management reserves the right to revise the job or to require that other or different tasks be performed as assigned. This description does not constitute a contract of employment and LDF may exercise its employment-at-will rights at any time.

The salary for this position is $94,400 to $115,000.

LDF offers all eligible employees a generous benefits package. To learn more click the following link 2025 Benefits Overview.

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The NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc. is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to you without regard to race, creed, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, marital status, age, veteran status, medical condition or disability, genetic information, gender identity, or any other protected status under federal, state, or local law.