Job Listing
🔗Director of Advocacy

Website Los Angeles Conservancy
Our work is grounded in the belief that historic preservation empowers and nourishes communities by creating meaningful connections between people and places. We strive to preserve places that tell the full story and matter to all Angelenos. We are looking for someone who, in addition to having the skills above, loves historic places and values their role in contributing to our communities. Founded in 1978, the Los Angeles Conservancy is a nonprofit organization providing historic preservation advocacy and education throughout Greater Los Angeles. With approximately 5,000 member households, the Conservancy has the largest membership of any local historic preservation organization in the U.S. The Conservancy has a staff of sixteen and a budget of about $3 million.
The Los Angeles Conservancy is looking for a passionate and energetic individual to join and lead its advocacy team, advancing the organization’s strategic goals by formulating, developing, and implementing responses (both reactive and proactive) on key preservation issues affecting the architectural and cultural heritage of Los Angeles County (encompassing 4,751 miles and 88 cities). Politically savvy self-starters, creative and innovative thinkers, and those that are able to multi-task and collaborate are encouraged to apply.
Through the management of a team of three staff members (Community Outreach Manager, Neighborhood Outreach Coordinator, and Preservation Coordinator), the Director of Advocacy oversees multiple initiatives and ongoing issues, projects, and various campaigns to broaden awareness and support for the preservation and reuse of historic places. This position works closely with local governments, grassroots nonprofit partners, and elected officials to build support, leverage potential partnerships, and engage diverse constituent groups.
The Director of Advocacy helps develop effective public outreach campaigns, and has strong skills and experience in public speaking, media relations, and implementing preservation strategies. The position oversees an established conservation easement program that includes design review, regular monitoring, negotiating, and expanding the portfolio. Candidates for the position will already have or need to develop a strong understanding of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
The Director of Advocacy is a full time, exempt position. This position reports to the President and CEO and spends more than fifty percent of his/her time on discretionary, independent decision-making.
Primary Responsibilities:
· Manage a team that works with community advocates and partners to help save historic places.
· Set priorities, develop calls to action, and implement broad efforts to advocate on behalf of and preserve diverse historic places throughout greater Los Angeles.
· Represent the Conservancy at public hearings and meetings, providing statements and testimony.
· Track public policies and legislative issues relative to preservation and development at the local, state, and federal levels.
· Work with local governments, elected officials and staff to adopt and/or improve public policies, including preservation ordinances.
· Collaborate with the Conservancy’s Administrative, Communications, and Development departments, and work especially close with the Director of Education and team to coordinate, develop, and implement initiatives and programming that broadens the Conservancy’s reach and audience.
· Cultivate working relationships with community advocates, media, public agencies, and elected officials.
· Ensure advocacy interventions and decisions include a broad range of perspectives and experiences that reflect the vast diversity of Greater Los Angeles.
· Develop and shape innovative initiatives and identify new organizational partnerships to address new and emerging issues, and opportunities for neighborhood outreach and engagement within diverse communities.
· Monitor, evaluate, and prepare appropriate responses to Environmental Impact Reports (EIRs) and other environmental impacts through the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
· Apply the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation through project and design review, including the Conservancy’s conservation easement program.
· Generate written content on advocacy issues and initiatives for internal and external communications, including the Conservancy’s website, newsletter, and public comment letters.
· Identify, develop, and manage relevant grant projects, as appropriate.
· Provide staff support for the Conservancy’s Board Advocacy Committee.