Job Details

POSITION TITLE: Senior Policy Counsel

LOCATION: Washington, DC (preferred)

TRAVEL: Moderate

POSITION SUMMARY

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization for equal rights, seeks a Senior Policy Counsel to manage a portfolio of voting rights, judicial nominations and the United States Department of Justice, internal policy guidance, and content development within the NAACP. The ideal candidate will have proficiency in legislative advocacy, nomination tracking, policy outreach to elected officials and staff, and a wide network of advocates and coalitions working in social and racial justice.

This role will help craft strategies and educational and messaging materials to enable NAACP units, state conferences, and members overcome challenges to full political participation. The Senior Policy Counsel will help represent the NAACP in coalitions such as the Multiracial Democracy Project and ensure organizational awareness of opportunities and developments to promote long-term democracy reform through a racial justice lens.

Internally, the role will help develop, identify and shape potential funding proposals for voting work which emphasize organizational strengths and capacity to meet the challenges of elections.

This role will help craft compelling and strategic policy communications that advance the NAACP's advocacy priorities. The Senior Policy Counsel will serve as a liaison between the Communications and Policy & Advocacy teams, ensuring alignment in messaging and effective public engagement on key policy issues.

The ideal candidate is an exceptional analyst and writer with a deep understanding of public policy, advocacy, and racial and social justice issues. They will be responsible for developing clear, persuasive, and impactful content that communicates the NAACP's policy positions to a variety of audiences, including media, policymakers, partners, and the public.

RESPONSIBILITIES/DUTIES

Under the direction of the Chief, Policy and Legislative Affairs, the Senior Policy Counsel will perform the following duties, to include, but not limited to:

• Liaison with Policy, Communications, and Field Teams
  • Collaborate closely with internal teams to ensure communications align with legislative calendars, policy priorities and goals, and internal calendars.
  • Monitor policy developments and emerging issues to proactively shape NAACP's public communications on policy and legislative strategy.
  • Collaborate on rapid-response messaging to address timely policy issues.
• Content Development
  • Draft, edit, and refine speeches, op-eds, policy briefs, press statements, talking points, and other strategic communications that articulate NAACP's policy positions.
  • Translate complex policy issues into accessible and engaging content for diverse audiences.
  • Develop messaging frameworks and narratives to advance NAACP's advocacy initiatives.
• Strategic Communications
  • Provide strategic writing support for major NAACP campaigns, reports, and public statements.
  • Support the development of advocacy toolkits, digital content, and social media messaging in coordination with digital and press teams.
  • Ensure accuracy and consistency in tone, voice, and messaging across policy communications.
• Public Engagement
  • Draft op-eds, editorials, and public statements for leadership and subject matter experts.
  • Support NAACP engagement efforts by providing thought leadership in racial and social justice coalitions.
  • Assist in preparing NAACP leaders for interviews, testimonies, and public speaking engagements.
• Perform any other duties as assigned by the Chief, Policy and Legislative Affairs or other designee.

• Minimum 15+ years of experience in policy advocacy, law, public affairs, or a related field.
• Familiarity with thought leader influence in advocacy and policy press, Capitol Hill press, and think tanks.
• Deep knowledge of voting rights, judicial nominations, racial justice, civil rights, and public policy issues.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling skills with the ability to craft compelling narratives.
• Experience working in racial and social justice, government, or nonprofit advocacy.
• Strong ability to synthesize complex policy information into clear, accessible language.
• Proven experience in drafting high-impact content, opinion pieces, and policy communications.
• Ability to thrive in a challenging environment and manage multiple projects with tight deadlines.
• Collaborative mindset with strong people skills and a commitment to NAACP's mission.