Executive Director

Job Description

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

National Committee for a Human Life Amendment (NCHLA)
Lead a National Catholic Voice for Human Life and Public Policy

Location: Washington, DC area/ Hybrid
Reports to: President and Board of Directors
Term: One-year term, elected by the Board of Directors, renewable
Status: Full-time

The Opportunity
The National Committee for a Human Life Amendment (NCHLA) seeks a visionary, mission-driven, and accomplished Executive Director to lead a national organization with a distinguished history of advancing grassroots Catholic engagement in public policy.
Founded in 1974, NCHLA has spent more than five decades building the capacity of citizens, dioceses, Catholic organizations, and grassroots leaders to advocate for public policies that protect human life. Through its Human Life Action initiative, NCHLA provides citizens with the information, tools, and opportunities they need to engage their elected representatives and participate effectively in the federal legislative process.
The next Executive Director will inherit an organization with a significant national legacy, established relationships throughout the Catholic community, and an important opportunity to build renewed momentum for the future.
This is an opportunity for an executive who can honor and build upon that legacy while bringing fresh strategic vision, organizational discipline, and entrepreneurial energy to NCHLA's next chapter.

About NCHLA
Founded in 1974 by the Catholic bishops of the United States, NCHLA is a national 501(c)(4) public-welfare organization dedicated to advancing legal and public-policy protections for human life and empowering citizens to participate actively in the democratic process.
Since its founding, NCHLA has:
• Enabled citizens to advocate at the federal level for pro-life legislation;
• Educated citizens about the need for a Human Life Amendment to the U.S. Constitution;
• Created and strengthened pro-life legislative networks serving dioceses, state Catholic Conferences, and Catholic lay organizations; and
• Worked closely with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) Secretariat for Pro-Life Activities in support of the bishops' national pro-life legislative agenda.
Through Human Life Action, NCHLA continues to equip citizens and Catholic organizations with legislative information, action alerts, educational resources, advocacy opportunities, and other tools for effective civic engagement.
NCHLA's work is grounded in the conviction that every human life possesses inherent dignity and that citizens have both the opportunity and responsibility to participate in shaping public policy.

The Role
The Executive Director serves as an officer and at-will employee of the corporation, elected by the Board of Directors.
The Executive Director is responsible for the overall leadership and day-to-day management of NCHLA and for translating the organization's mission and Board-approved priorities into effective programs, operations, and national engagement.
The Executive Director will work closely with the President and Board of Directors and will maintain a strong working relationship with the USCCB Secretariat for Pro-Life Activities.
The successful candidate will be expected to lead across a broad range of responsibilities, including:
Strategic Leadership
Develop and propose strategic plans, programs, and initiatives; implement Board-approved priorities; assess organizational opportunities and challenges; and position NCHLA for long-term effectiveness and growth.

National Advocacy & Catholic Engagement
Strengthen NCHLA's role as a national resource for grassroots legislative advocacy and deepen relationships with bishops, dioceses, state Catholic Conferences, Catholic organizations, lay leaders, and national partners.
USCCB Partnership
Maintain a close and effective liaison with the USCCB Secretariat for Pro-Life Activities and collaborate appropriately in support of national pro-life legislative priorities.
Fundraising & Financial Sustainability
Lead fundraising and donor-development efforts, oversee the organization's financial affairs, develop the annual budget, monitor financial performance, and ensure responsible stewardship of NCHLA's resources.
Program Leadership
Strengthen Human Life Action and NCHLA's educational and advocacy programs, including legislative action alerts, grassroots engagement, educational resources, and advocacy opportunities.
Staff & Organizational Leadership
Hire and lead employees and consultants, establish clear accountability, develop organizational capacity, and foster a professional, collaborative, and mission-focused culture.
Communications & Public Presence
Oversee NCHLA's websites, digital platforms, communications, and public-facing messaging, ensuring that the organization's national presence is current, effective, professional, and aligned with its mission.
Governance, Operations & Compliance
Work effectively with the President and Board; manage contracts and leases; oversee employee benefits, retirement plans, and insurance; and ensure compliance with applicable legal and regulatory requirements, including maintaining NCHLA's corporate status under Delaware law.

The Leader We Seek
NCHLA is seeking an Executive Director who combines mission commitment with executive capability.
The ideal candidate will be:
A Mission-Driven Leader
Deeply committed to the dignity and protection of human life and able to articulate NCHLA's mission with conviction, clarity, and authenticity.
A Strategic Thinker
Able to see beyond day-to-day operations, identify emerging opportunities, establish priorities, and develop a compelling vision for NCHLA's future.
A Relationship Builder
Comfortable building trust and productive relationships with bishops, Catholic leaders, dioceses, grassroots advocates, donors, policymakers, nonprofit leaders, staff, and national partners.
A Strong Nonprofit Executive
Experienced in organizational management, financial oversight, fundraising, personnel leadership, Board relations, and operational accountability.
An Effective Advocate
Knowledgeable about public policy, federal legislative advocacy, grassroots engagement, or coalition building, with the ability to translate complex issues into clear and compelling messages.
A Skilled Communicator
An excellent writer, speaker, listener, and representative of the organization who can communicate effectively with both highly sophisticated national stakeholders and grassroots citizens.
A Builder of People and Organizations
Able to attract, develop, and motivate talented staff and consultants while creating systems and structures that allow the organization to thrive.
A Leader of Integrity
Known for sound judgment, discretion, accountability, professionalism, and a commitment to stewardship of the organization's mission and resources.

Qualifications
The successful candidate will ideally possess:
• Significant senior leadership experience in a nonprofit, Catholic, faith-based, public-policy, advocacy, philanthropic, or other mission-driven organization;
• Demonstrated experience working with a nonprofit Board of Directors;
• Experience with nonprofit financial management, budgeting, fundraising, and donor relations;
• Experience leading staff and managing consultants or external service providers;
• Familiarity with federal legislative advocacy, grassroots organizing, public policy, and civic engagement;
• A bachelor's degree, and preferably a master's degree, in administration, Theology or a related field;
• Deep knowledge of Church teaching on the dignity of human life and a willingness to work with people of different philosophical principles or political ideologies;
• Strong relationship-building skills and experience working across institutional and organizational boundaries;
• Excellent written, verbal, interpersonal, and public-speaking skills;
• Experience overseeing communications, websites, digital platforms, or public-facing messaging;
• Strong organizational and administrative skills, with exceptional attention to detail;
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining strategic focus; and
• A clear commitment to NCHLA's mission and Catholic identity.
Experience working with dioceses, Catholic organizations, state Catholic Conferences, the USCCB, or national pro-life organizations is highly desirable.

Priorities for the Next Executive Director
The successful candidate will have the opportunity to help shape NCHLA's next chapter.
Renewing the Organization's Strategic Vision
Build on NCHLA's five-decade history while identifying new opportunities to expand its national influence and effectiveness.
Strengthening Grassroots Engagement
Expand the organization's capacity to educate, equip, and mobilize citizens and Catholic organizations for effective federal legislative advocacy.
Building Financial Sustainability
Strengthen fundraising, donor relationships, financial planning, and revenue development to support long-term organizational health.
Deepening National Partnerships
Build strong relationships with USCCB, bishops, dioceses, Catholic organizations, state Catholic Conferences, grassroots leaders, and other strategic partners.
Strengthening Organizational Capacity
Ensure that NCHLA has the staffing, systems, technology, communications, and operational infrastructure needed to fulfill its mission effectively.
Increasing National Visibility and Impact
Position NCHLA and Human Life Action for greater reach and influence through effective communications, digital engagement, educational programming, and grassroots advocacy.

Application
NCHLA invites nominations and applications from accomplished leaders who are inspired by its mission and prepared to lead the organization into its next chapter.
To apply, please submit:
• A cover letter describing your interest in NCHLA and the Executive Director position;

• A current resume or curriculum vitae; and
Applications should be submitted to Kathleen Domingo, NCHLA Board President, no later than Thursday, October 1, 2026. Please send information to kdomingo@cacatholic.org.
NCHLA is committed to conducting a thoughtful and confidential search and encourages qualified candidates from a range of professional and leadership backgrounds to apply.

About the Employer

The National Committee for a Human Life Amendment has the mission to secure protection in law for unborn children. It advocates for public policies that restrict abortion, assist mothers in need and promote respect for vulnerable human life. Its ultimate goal is a constitutional amendment that will protect unborn children to the maximum degree possible.
The immediate goal of NCHLA is to work with state Catholic conferences, Catholic dioceses, parishes, lay organizations and other civic groups to create programs that organize, educate and advocate on behalf of human life.