Vice President, Political and Legislative Affairs
Planned Parenthood
Washington, DC, USA
USD 235k-250k / year
Posted on Sep 25, 2025
Planned Parenthood is the nation’s leading provider and advocate of high-quality, affordable sexual and reproductive health care for all people, as well as the nation’s largest provider of sex education. Planned Parenthood organizations serve all people with care and compassion, with respect, and without judgment, striving to create equitable access to health care. Through health centers, programs in schools and communities, and online resources, Planned Parenthood is a trusted source of reliable education and information that allows people to make informed health decisions. We do all this because we care passionately about helping people lead healthier lives.
Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that supports the independently incorporated Planned Parenthood affiliates, which operate non-profit health centers across the U.S. PPFA also works to educate the public on and advocate for issues of sexual and reproductive health. Formed as the advocacy and political arm of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Planned Parenthood Action Fund is a separate non-profit membership organization tax-exempt under section 501(c)(4). The Action Fund engages in educational, advocacy, and limited electoral activity, including grassroots organizing, legislative advocacy, and voter education in furtherance of the Planned Parenthood mission. The Action Fund’s related non-partisan political action committee, Planned Parenthood Federal PAC (PPFEDPAC), makes limited contributions to support federal candidates and supports state candidates as permitted by state laws.
Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) and Planned Parenthood Action Fund (Action Fund) seek a bold, strategic, and politically-savvy Vice President of Political & Legislative Affairs to lead the organizations’ federal political and legislative engagement strategy. This role is responsible for advancing Planned Parenthood power and presence in Washington, D.C., by managing the organizations’ relationships and engagement with Congress and cross-movement allies, and the Action Fund (and its related PAC)’s relationships with political committees.
The Vice President of Political & Legislative Affairs will oversee a dynamic team responsible for legislative affairs, political strategy, and strategic partnerships that advance the Planned Parenthood federal agenda and protect reproductive freedom. They will report to the Chief External Affairs Officer and serve as a key thought partner to them, and represent PPFA and the Action Fund at the highest levels of government and political engagement.
Purpose:
- Lead the strategic direction of PPFA & Action Fund’s legislative affairs to protect and expand reproductive freedom and ensure the organizations maintain their power, presence, and influence in Washington, D.C. This includes driving PPFA and Action Fund’s Hill strategy and legislative engagement, the Action Fund’s endorsements, and PPFEDPAC activities that advance the Planned Parenthood mission and policy goals.
- Manage the Political & Legislative Affairs team—a high-impact, forward-looking unit focused on PPFA & Action Fund’s legislative affairs and strategic partnerships with cross-movement allies and the Action Fund’s political committee engagement. The team is responsible for crafting and advancing legislative strategies, influencing federal elected officials, and building political power to protect and expand access to care.
- Shape and execute PPFA and Action Fund’s congressional engagement strategy in partnership with the National Director of Legislative Affairs, including crafting policy messaging, organizing Hill briefings, and deploying executive leadership during key legislative moments.
- Align cross-movement coalition efforts with legislative and political strategy in collaboration with the Senior Director of Strategic Partnerships.
- Expand and deepen the Action Fund’s engagement with national political committees, including the DNC, DSCC, and DCCC, in partnership with the Senior Political Director, building strategic relationships that advance shared priorities and grow long-term power—particularly for BIPOC and low-income communities.
- Partner with the Action Fund’s Vice President for Organizing, Elections, and Campaigns to align the Action Fund’s legislative and electoral strategies, and ensure the effective deployment of coordinated campaign efforts that center patients and communities most impacted.
Engagement:
- Lead and provide oversight over three teams - Strategic Partnerships (work with target constituencies and movement partners), Legislative Affairs (develop and manage PPFA and Action Funds legislative strategies before Congress), and the Political Affairs team.
- Work closely with the Office of the President and CEO to identify strategic opportunities for the PPFA & Action Fund President & CEO to engage with members of Congress, political leaders, and key partners. Provide counsel and support to ensure the President & CEO maintains a visible and influential presence in Washington, cultivating relationships that advance PPFA & Action Fund’s legislative agenda and Action Fund’s political agenda.
- Work with the Action Fund’s Vice President for Organizing, Elections, and Campaigns to maximize the impact of Action Fund’s policy and legislative work toward electoral goals and strategy.
- Coordinate and leverage PPFA and Action Fund’s engagement with members of Congress and cross-movement partners and Action Fund’s engagement with political committees to advance PPFA and Action Fund’s legislative priorities and Action Fund’s political priorities and ensure the organizations remain a year-round presence in Washington, D.C.
- Engage and collaborate with local Planned Parenthood organizations’ leadership to support their participation in federal advocacy and political activities, providing strategic guidance and ensuring alignment with national priorities and guardrails.
- Serve as one of the Action Fund’s key liaison to national political committees (e.g., DNC, DSCC, DCCC) and represent the Action Fund in high-level political and coalition spaces to advance shared goals and expand its influence across the broader progressive movement.
- Serve as a visible and trusted PPFA & Action Fund public spokesperson for the organization in political, legislative, and coalition forums, including media appearances, briefings, and national convening.
- Partner with PPFA’s Litigation and Law team to align legal strategy with legislative priorities and ensure coordinated responses to legal and regulatory threats.
- Collaborate with members of the PPFA and Action Fund Boards to inform and support their understanding of federal legislative dynamics, each organization’s role in national advocacy efforts, and political opportunities.
Delivery:
- Drive the socialization and execution of the President & CEO’s vision and the Planned Parenthood mission to elected officials, policymakers, and key stakeholders to drive policy and regulatory change.
- Lead the development and execution of comprehensive issue campaigns—both defensive and proactive—that leverage the full power of the organizations (organizing, media, digital, affiliate engagement, data, brand, partnerships, and executive leadership) to advance policy goals, build movement, and grow the Planned Parenthood brand.
- Develop and implement strategies that maximize policy-based healthcare financing opportunities to protect and expand access to Planned Parenthood health center services.
- Ensure seamless integration across state policy, organizing, advocacy, and litigation teams to build nimble, coordinated strategies that align with national policy objectives while meeting the distinct needs of states and regions.
- Provide strategic counsel to the President & CEO and collaborate across executive and senior leadership to support Planned Parenthood’s long-term political positioning and impact.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):
- 15+ years of progressive experience in political leadership, issue advocacy, organizing, and/or electoral campaign strategy, including team management, strategic planning, training, and conflict resolution through a racial equity lens required.
- 10+ years in senior leadership roles, ideally within national advocacy, political, or movement organizations, with a proven ability to lead cross-functional teams toward shared goals preferred.
- 10+ years experience of managing people and teams required.
- Deep understanding of federal and state legislative and administrative processes, substantive expertise in reproductive health policy—particularly abortion access and care–preferred.
- Extensive political relationships and trusted networks across government, advocacy, and movement ecosystems, with the ability to leverage them for influence and rapid mobilization.
- Demonstrated ability to build alignment across diverse stakeholders, including legal, organizing, communications, affiliates, and executive leadership to drive integrated campaign strategies.
- Exceptional communication and strategic influence skills, with experience advising executive leadership, representing the Office of the President, and engaging with high-level external partners.
- Strong systems thinker and adaptive leader, able to navigate complexity, lead through change, and respond effectively in dynamic, high-pressure environments.
- Working fluency in digital mobilization and data-informed political strategy, including leveraging online platforms, digital organizing, and real-time analytics to drive advocacy.
- Demonstrated success in setting clear priorities and driving a results-oriented agenda aligned with long-term organizational strategy.
- Thrives in fast-paced, high-pressure environments, with an agile and flexible leadership style.
- Available for rapid response and off-hours engagement during political escalations, crises, or moments of strategic opportunity.
Travel: 10-40% Domestic
$235,000 - $250,000/year
Planned Parenthood's cultural ethos, "In This Together", reflects our commitment to building a workplace culture that fosters belonging, promotes learning throughout the employee lifecycle, and recognizes individual contributions to our mission.
Planned Parenthood Federation of America participates in the E-Verify program. Planned Parenthood Federation of America is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to maintaining a non-discriminatory work environment, and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Planned Parenthood Federation of America is committed to creating a dynamic work environment that values diversity and inclusion, respect and integrity, customer focus, and innovation.