Arena Careers

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 to 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

This Executive Speechwriter works within the Executive Office and directly with the President to make the case for equality and move audiences to action through the written and spoken word. This role works with staff across the organization to research, draft, write and edit speeches, opinion pieces, talking points, press statements, web content, news releases and other materials. The Executive Speechwriter reports directly to the Chief of Staff and works with senior members of the organization and its volunteers on specific assignments.

The standard salary for this role is $75,600 - $88,000 however candidates with at least 6 years of experience will be considered for hiring at a Senior Specialist range of $91,200 - $114,000.

Position Responsibilities

• Working with senior staff, manage the executive narrative of the President of the organization.
• Shape mic-drop lines, powerful stories and persuasive arguments to animate the narrative.
• Craft speeches and scripts for the President, and, at times, other senior staff members and volunteers.
• Draft, edit and review non-written remarks, including op-eds, letters, statements and social posts.
• Ensure a consistent messaging strategy and brand identity is included in every piece.
• Ensure that messaging created resonates across different audiences – LGBTQ+ and non-LGBTQ+, grassroots and broad public, in political and non-political spaces, across races, ethnicities and genders, with younger people and older generations.
• Collaborate with subject matter experts to ensure materials are accurate and connect with intended audiences to drive understanding, engagement and action.
• Research, as needed, additional information to be included in the created work.
• Other duties as assigned.

Position Qualifications

Demonstrated expertise in storytelling with a lens to diversity, equity, inclusion and history:

• At least 4 years of relevant work experience focusing on executive speechwriting. A focus within political and/or advocacy communications work is preferred.
• Experience writing in the voice of a principal across media in order to produce materials that are authentic to the presenter and connect with intended audiences.

Dynamic and inspiring writer across multiple mediums while maintaining message discipline:

• Ability to follow closely the messaging of the organization on a wide variety of issues -- from political advocacy to public education -- and ensure materials are clear, persuasive and concise.

Able to work in a fast-paced environment:

• Remains unflappable in the face of rapidly changing circumstances.
• Comfort working in a high-volume, fast-paced environment with quick project turnaround.
• Demonstrated ability to work well under pressure, handle multiple projects simultaneously and manage work under tight deadlines.

Strong advocacy and political acumen:

• Experience with writing about LGBTQ+, advocacy and/or other social justice issues is preferred.

Strong project management skills:

• Attention to detail with exceptional written and organizational skills.
• Travel with the President and other staff as required at least 25% of the time often including overnight and weekend stays.

Solid judgement:

• Proven ability to navigate input from several different internal audiences and problem solve conflicting feedback or feedback that dilutes message
• Experience navigating confidential information.

All positions at the Human Rights Campaign 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.

No phone calls or emails, please. Due to the volume of applications we receive, we are unable to respond to queries about application status.