Executive Speechwriter

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.

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 is 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 tracked 470 anti-LGBTQ+ bills that have been introduced at the state level, 190 of which target the trans community. Despite early landmark victories in Michigan, LGBTQ+ people are facing record numbers of 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 themselves 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 a renewed sense of vigor and purpose to fight for change at every level—and for every single one of us.

Position Summary

This Executive Speechwriter works within the Executive Office and directly with the President to craft the story of the organization, the urgency of the moment and the inspiration calls to action to engage a diverse set of stakeholders. This role works with the Communications Department to research, draft, write and edit a variety of speeches, opinion pieces, talking points, press statements, web content, news releases and other materials. The Executive Speechwriter reports directly to the Senior Vice President of Communications & Brand and works with senior members of the organization and its volunteers on specific assignments.

Position Responsibilities

• Drive the overall narrative arc and messaging for the President of the organization.
• Draft inspirational narratives, public crisis messaging, historical storytelling and personal pieces and, at times, weaving all of them together in one piece.
• Ensure a consistent messaging strategy and brand identity is included in every piece.
• Create major speeches 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.
• Draft, edit and review scripts for video statements.
• Develop and coordinate messages and talking points with the Communications team to drive organizational messaging priorities.
• Ensure that messaging created has a lens of diversity, equity and intersectionality.
• 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 6 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.

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.

Tier Description:

The HRC Staff Tier Structure is available on the HRC Staff Intranet.

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