Make a difference with us! At Alliance Defending Freedom, we believe God has brought you here for His purpose—to stand for truth and defend the God-given right to live and speak it. Together, we protect religious freedom, free speech, the sanctity of life, marriage and family, and parental rights. Review our Statement of Faith to ensure we’re a fit for you.

Location: Lansdowne, VA

Team Overview

The Vice President of Events will translate ADF's organizational priorities into an audience-centered event strategy and ensure that every element of the event works together to produce the intended mission outcome. This role serves as the event's primary owner and final integrator—aligning executive leadership, Subject Matter Experts, event producers, creative partners, speakers, and vendors around one cohesive experience. The VP of Events will provide strategic oversight of ADF's entire event portfolio and hands-on executive-producer accountability for ADF's flagship events, serving as the final decision-maker for the audience experience.

Key Responsibilities

Event Strategy

Oversee ADF's complete portfolio of events as one strategic investment, defining the event's purpose, priority audience, desired outcomes and measures of success.
Partner with executive leadership to prioritize events based on mission impact, audience need, investment and organizational capacity, recommending when events should be launched, redesigned, consolidated, scaled or discontinued, and assigning each event an appropriate tier, governance model and level of support.

Team Leadership

Establish the structure, roles, and decision rights of the Events Team, and recruit, develop, and retain top producers and specialists.
For ADF’s major events, serve as executive producer — the final decision-maker for the audience experience, leading the onsite event structure, and protecting the approved strategy from unnecessary late-stage changes, and making timely decisions when programming, speaker, production, or operational issues arise.

Programming, Creative, and Production Leadership

Own the overall agenda, story arc, session sequence and audience journey, show order, transitions, and pacing.
Evaluate programming, creative, and production recommendations collectively to ensure the full experience supports the approved event strategy.
Direct the Creative Director, Event Producer and production partners toward one event vision.

Subject Matter Expert Integration

Serve as the senior liaison between Events, executive leadership, business units, development, communications, legal, security and external partners, ensuring stakeholders contribute expertise without assuming operational or programming authority.

Event Standards and Systems

Establish the ADF event-planning methodology and ensure it is used consistently, including standard processes, tools and timelines for strategy, budgeting, procurement, speaker management, site visits, production and onsite execution.

Financial Stewardship

Oversee event portfolio budgets, staffing and resource allocation, partnering with the Event Producer/Event Manager to establish the budget and investment priorities.
Evaluate event investment in relation to mission impact and measurable outcomes, including where increased investment will materially improve mission impact.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree from an accredited university
12+ years of event management experience
Experience in overseeing live AV production.
Demonstrated experience supervising and developing teams, with a track record of building and retaining high-performing staff.
Hands-on experience with event technology platforms (e.g., registration, AV/production, or analytics tools) and Microsoft Office Suite.
Demonstrated ability and willingness to travel frequently for events, including periodic international travel.

Preferred Qualifications

Demonstrated experience in executive-level decision-making authority, with specific examples of high-stakes judgment calls made under time pressure.
Experience owning event strategy and audience-experience design for large-scale events (500+ attendees), from concept through execution.
Experience programming keynote-level content, story arcs, or show flow for a senior/executive audience.
Experience owning a departmental or event-portfolio budget of $1M+, including forecasting and vendor negotiation.
Direct experience directing creative and production teams toward a unified vision.

Pay & Benefits

At Alliance Defending Freedom, we offer competitive compensation and a comprehensive benefits package to support your well-being and growth. Our benefits include 100% covered medical and dental insurance, medical and dependent care reimbursement, paid disability, long-term care, life insurance, and a 401(k) plan with a 4% company match. We prioritize work-life balance with paid time off and 12 paid holidays each year.

Want to Know More About ADF?

This salary range is reflective of a position based in Lansdowne, VA. This range is a good-faith estimate, and the actual salary may vary based on the candidate’s experience, skills, qualifications, and office location.

Virginia Salary Range

$166,300—$250,800 USD

Virginia Salary Range 166300 - 250800 USD

About the company

ADF International works to protect fundamental freedoms and the dignity of every person through legal advocacy and training worldwide. It engages in policy work and court cases at international institutions, builds legal briefs, and supports local partners with training and funding. Its ability to operate with formal accreditation and ongoing dialogue with bodies like the UN, EU, and OSCE, plus partnerships at national levels, sets it apart from others. The goal is to defend human rights and dignity globally by using legal action, policy influence, and capacity-building.

Company Size

51-200

Company Stage

N/A

Total Funding

N/A

Headquarters

Vienna, Austria

Founded

2010

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Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

The ECtHR communicated 20 Türkiye cases on February 5, 2026, validating its pipeline.
ADF-backed wins in Scotland and Nigeria in 2026 demonstrate courtroom traction and media reach.
Its 2026 briefs in Greece, Finland, and the UK widen issue coverage beyond Türkiye.

What critics are saying

An adverse ECtHR ruling in Wiest v. Türkiye weakens its core Europe strategy.
Governments can label ADF clients extremists, constraining access and slowing future cases.
Its brand stays tightly tied to Christian-rights culture-war fights, limiting employer appeal.

What makes ADF International unique

ADF International runs a transnational litigation shop spanning ECtHR, OSCE, and national courts.
It specializes in religious-liberty cases, especially Christians facing bans, prosecutions, and censorship.
Its 2026 Türkiye campaign shows coordinated legal advocacy plus public pressure across Europe.

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Benefits

Health Insurance
Dental Insurance
Life Insurance
Disability Insurance
Long-term Care Insurance
401(k) Retirement Plan
401(k) Company Match
Paid Holidays
Paid Time Off
Medical and Dependent Care Reimbursement
Health Savings Account/Flexible Spending Account

Company News

Cardinal and Cream

Sep 17th, 2026

Union University projected to open nation's first religious Charter School beginning august 2027.

Union University projected to open nation's first religious Charter School beginning august 2027. On April 28, 2026, the Jackson-Madison County School Board unanimously approved Union University's application to open the nation's first religious charter school, Union Academy, in Jackson, Tenn. Union Academy would set national precedent if successful. While other organizations have attempted to form religious charter schools, they have yet to succeed, positioning Union Academy to be the first of its kind. On Sept. 15, 2025, Jackson-Madison County School System (JMCSS) Superintendent Marlon King approached Union University President Samuel "Dub" Oliver about his idea for charter schools in Jackson. "The idea grew out of a simple goal: to create a space where families wouldn't have to worry about navigating transition after transition. Among all the options we already provide, this would be a unique one - a one-stop pathway for families who want that continuity. Union Academy could be that option for them," King said. JMCSS is also partnering with Gestalt Community Schools to create other charter schools in Jackson, evidencing an increase in the movement locally. Oliver agreed to the idea, believing that the effort would align with Union University's mission, so long as the school is a Christian institution. Given this, Union Academy would fulfill the university's mission by reimagining how to "advance this idea of the flourishing of all members of society," Oliver said. "One of the key drivers of flourishing is education, and we've demonstrated that we can do that at very high levels [in undergraduate and graduate programs], and so it's a chance for us to do that now [in] K-12 as well." Union Academy will begin as a K-5 school and will eventually include grades K-12. In addition to JMCSS, Union University is also partnering with the legal advocacy nonprofit Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) to open Union Academy. "Alliance Defending Freedom wholeheartedly supports Union Academy in its endeavor to become the nation's first religious charter school, opening up educational options and freedom for more Tennessee families. Tennessee parents and children are better off with more educational choices, not fewer," ADF Senior Counsel Mark Lippelmann said in a press release published on May 4. ADF shares Oliver's desire to provide more options to local families. "The Jackson-Madison County School System Board was right to approve Union Academy's request to operate as a charter school and should be commended for refusing to engage in unconstitutional discrimination based upon the school's religious character," Lippelmann said. Lippelmann notes here the tension regarding the constitutionality of a religious charter school. This tension centers on the interpretation of the First Amendment. The First Amendment includes both a Free Exercise Clause and an Establishment Clause. The Free Exercise Clause says that the state may not inhibit the free exercise of religion. The Establishment Clause says that the state may not establish a religion of its own. Given this, proponents of religious charter schools base their position on the Free Exercise Clause, arguing that the state would inhibit their free exercise of religion if they withheld public funds from their organization. To withhold state funds from a public institution because of its religion is discriminatory, they say. Alternatively, dissenters base their position on the Establishment Clause, arguing that a school which accepts public funds qualifies as a state-established religion. Using taxpayer dollars to sponsor a religious organization is to unconstitutionally favor one religion in the public square, as the argument goes. In essence, one side is concerned about discrimination and the other about overstepping church-state relations. Union Academy occupies the intersection between this national conflict and the local opportunity previously mentioned. This elicits support and hesitation, both of which Oliver is acutely aware of. He recounted how dissenters approached the JMCSS Board with their misgivings. Hesitation is not confined to Jackson but reaches even to the national level. Dr. Richard Land, former president of the Southern Baptist Convention's public policy arm, the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC), published an op-ed on May 5, voicing his concern about a similar project. He speaks in reference to an attempt to open a Catholic charter school in Oklahoma in spring 2025 in the case known as Oklahoma Statewide Charter School Board v. Drummond. This case largely parallels Union Academy, except for the denominational difference. "I believe it is very possible that if the Supreme Court upholds St. Isidore as constitutional, it could very well devastate traditional public schools, private religious schools and the homeschool movement," Land said. Unlike Oliver, Land is concerned that the addition of a religious charter school to the national educational landscape would prove harmful. "I want desperately to reform our public education system and to return it to educating, not indoctrinating," Land said. "I also want desperately to maintain the wisdom of our Establishment Clause and to protect religion from public money which will lead inevitably to government interference with religion." Oliver shares Land's concern for the quality of public school education but is more optimistic that providing a Christian alternative will improve the overall educational landscape in Jackson.

Baptist State Convention of North Carolina

Aug 5th, 2026

Federal court rules Georgia school district must reinstate Christian ministry.

Federal court rules Georgia school district must reinstate Christian ministry. STATESBORO, Ga. - A federal court has ruled that Vidalia City Schools must reinstate a Christian released-time education program while a lawsuit against the district continues, according to Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF). The ruling, issued July 30 by the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Georgia, came in the case Sweet Onion Christian Learning Center v. Vidalia City Schools. ADF attorneys represent Sweet Onion Christian Learning Center and Gady Youmans, the center's executive director and lead pastor of Word of Life Baptist Church in Vidalia. ADF filed the lawsuit in May, alleging Vidalia City Schools ended its relationship with Sweet Onion after Youmans criticized a proposed property tax increase on his personal Facebook page. For more than a decade, Sweet Onion provided optional, free, off-campus religious instruction to students at Vidalia High School. Released-time education programs allow public school students, with parental permission, to leave campus during the school day for religious instruction. ADF said the program operated without problems until Youmans posted criticism of the proposed tax increase. The organization said the district then canceled the released-time program, violating Youmans' First Amendment rights. "Every American has the right to publicly criticize the government - that's what makes the First Amendment guarantee of free speech so special and the envy of the world," said ADF Legal Counsel Mercer Martin, who argued before the court on Youmans' behalf Thursday. "Vidalia City Schools can't punish Rev. Youmans - or his ministry providing high school students with free religious education - for simply sharing his opinion of a proposed tax hike. We're pleased the court has reinstated Sweet Onion's released-time program and restored Rev. Youmans' constitutionally protected freedoms while his lawsuit proceeds." According to ADF, after learning about Youmans' Facebook posts, the superintendent investigated Sweet Onion and found that six years earlier, a parent from another school had removed her child from a Sweet Onion course after learning the ministry did not exclusively use the parent's preferred version of the Bible. ADF said the superintendent later reported to the board that, in addition to concerns about Youmans' Facebook posts, his instruction "reflected a particular interpretation of the Bible" that was not presented in a "neutral or well-balanced manner." ADF argues that the First Amendment protects both Youmans' right to criticize the proposed tax increase and his right to teach the Bible from his religious perspective. The court's ruling requires the district to reinstate the program while the lawsuit proceeds, according to ADF. (EDITOR'S NOTE - Henry Durand is managing editor of The Christian Index. This article originally appeared in The Christian Index.)

Christian Care Ministry

Aug 3rd, 2026

Mark Tjernagel named CFO of Christian Care Ministry.

Mark Tjernagel named CFO of Christian Care Ministry. Posted by Debbie Ryan on August 3, 2026 Christian Care Ministry, the nonprofit organization that administers the Medi-Share healthcare sharing program, has appointed Mark Tjernagel as chief financial officer, adding a veteran Christian nonprofit executive to oversee its financial strategy as the ministry continues supporting one of the nation's largest faith-based healthcare sharing programs. Tjernagel joins the executive leadership team with more than three decades of financial and operational leadership experience across major Christian organizations. In his new role, he will lead Christian Care Ministry's financial strategy, support long-term organizational growth and oversee the stewardship of resources as the ministry continues serving members through the Medi-Share healthcare sharing program. The appointment comes as faith-based healthcare sharing organizations navigate increasing demand for alternatives to traditional health insurance while managing growing operational and financial complexity. Christian Care Ministry said Tjernagel will serve as a strategic partner to executive leadership, helping position the organization to respond to opportunities across healthcare and financial services. "Mark brings an extraordinary combination of financial expertise, operational leadership, strategic forecasting and Christ-centered stewardship that will strengthen Christian Care Ministry for years to come," said Joe Turner, chairman of the board of Christian Care Ministry. "His proven ability to guide complex organizations while remaining firmly grounded in mission makes him an exceptional fit for CCM as we look toward the future. He truly understands the fiduciary responsibility to always act in the members' best interest." Before joining Christian Care Ministry, Tjernagel served as executive vice president of operations at Alliance Defending Freedom, where he oversaw finance, human resources, information technology, facilities, security and risk management. Earlier, he spent more than 30 years with Cru, formerly Campus Crusade for Christ, including nearly 20 years as chief financial officer. During his tenure, he led the finance organization for one of the world's largest evangelical nonprofits while advising senior leadership and governing boards on strategic financial, operational and organizational matters. Throughout his career, Tjernagel has led initiatives involving strategic planning, financial systems modernization, risk management, budgeting, retirement programs, insurance, real estate and organizational transformation. His experience reflects a growing emphasis among nonprofit organizations on integrating financial leadership with broader operational strategy to support long-term sustainability. "I am honored to join Christian Care Ministry and become part of a team dedicated to sharing one another's burdens through a mission rooted in biblical principles," Tjernagel said. "Throughout my career, I have been passionate about helping ministries steward their resources wisely so they can maximize their Kingdom impact. I look forward to partnering with CCM's leadership team to support its mission, serve its members, and help position the ministry for continued strength and sustainability in the years ahead." Beyond his executive leadership roles, Tjernagel has remained active in the broader Christian nonprofit community, serving as chairman of the board of the Christian Leadership Alliance and on boards supporting ministry leaders and children in foster care. ### For more than 30 years, Christian Care Ministry has administered Medi-Share, an accredited Christian healthcare sharing program that enables members to share eligible medical expenses according to member-approved guidelines. Since its launch in 1993, the organization has facilitated the sharing of eligible medical bills among participants and now reports that more than $50 million in medical expenses are shared each month, making Medi-Share one of the largest healthcare sharing ministries in the United States.

Yle

Mar 26th, 2026

This is how the Christian conservative organization that supported Päivi Räsänen reacted to the court's verdict.

This is how the Christian conservative organization that supported Päivi Räsänen reacted to the court's verdict. The Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) has considered Räsänen's trial as an example of the narrowing of freedom of speech and religion. Member of Parliament Päivi Räsänen's (Christian Democrats) verdict from the Supreme Court has aroused indignation in the international Christian conservative organization that supports her. The verdict came from a pamphlet written by Räsänen and published in printed form in 2004: 'He created them male and female. Homosexual relationships challenge the Christian view of humanity.' The court found that Räsänen was guilty of incitement against an ethnic group when she republished the pamphlet on her own Facebook page in 2019. The international Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) has considered Räsänen's trial as an example of the narrowing of freedom of speech and religion. The organization issued a press release on Thursday after the court's decision. Alliance Defending Freedom is an extreme conservative Christian organization known for opposing abortion and the rights of sexual minorities. According to Executive Director Paul Coleman, the verdict creates a threat to freedom of speech. In turn, the organization's CEO Kristen Waggoner stated in the press release that 'punishing peaceful expression, especially when it is based on deeply held religious convictions, undermines the foundation of free societies'. Räsänen told the media on Thursday that she needs to take a time-out to review the decision and its justifications. However, she said she is seriously considering filing an appeal to the European Court of Human Rights. Räsänen spoke as a witness in early February at the U.S. House of Representatives Judiciary Committee in Washington. She described her legal process in Finland during the hearing. The chairman of the media self-regulation body, the Council for Mass Media, Eero Hyvönen, commented at the time that he felt the Member of Parliament was used as a pawn. Räsänen said she received an invitation to the hearing from the chairman of the Judiciary Committee, Republican Jim Jordan. Jordan introduced Räsänen at the hearing, calling her a 'victim of European censorship'. ADF was founded in the United States in the 1990s and later expanded its operations to Europe. According to the British newspaper The Guardian, in the United States, the organization has been involved in high-profile cases concerning conservative Christian issues, such as the rights of sexual minorities and abortion rights. In Germany, for example, ADF has supported groups that hold demonstrations outside abortion clinics. The news is being updated.

ADF International

Oct 13th, 2025

Türkiye Labels Christians as 'National Security Threats' to Justify Mass Expulsions

Türkiye labels Christians as 'national security threats' to justify mass expulsions. * ADF International Lawyer Addresses OSCE Warsaw Human Dimension Conference * European Court to Rule on Landmark Case Testing Religious Freedom in Türkiye Warsaw (13 October 2025) - Speaking today at the OSCE Warsaw Human Dimension Conference, Lidia Rieder, Legal Officer for ADF International warned that the government of Türkiye is systematically targeting Christians under the guise of "national security," expelling hundreds of foreign believers and leaving local congregations without spiritual leadership. "Türkiye's labeling of peaceful Christian residents as 'security threats' is a clear misuse of law and an attack on freedom of religion or belief." - Lidia Rieder, Legal Officer for ADF International "Türkiye's labeling of peaceful Christian residents as 'security threats' is a clear misuse of law and an attack on freedom of religion or belief," said Rieder, referencing the landmark case Wiest v. Türkiye currently before the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR). "When governments manipulate administrative or immigration systems to exclude people based solely on their faith, it undermines both the rule of law and the very principles of tolerance and peaceful coexistence that the OSCE was founded to protect." Christians Expelled Under 'Security' Codes Since 2020, more than 200 foreign Christian workers and their families - affecting roughly 350 individuals - have been expelled from Türkiye, many of whom had lived there for decades. The Ministry of Interior has assigned these individuals so-called "security codes" such as N-82 and G-87, effectively banning their re-entry and classifying them as national security threats. Between December 2024 and January 2025 alone, at least 35 new codes were reportedly issued against foreign Christians. These actions have deprived many Protestant congregations of pastoral leadership and disrupted religious life across the country. ADF International is currently supporting over 30 legal cases on behalf of Christians challenging the arbitrary bans before the European Court of Human Rights and the Turkish courts. While Türkiye's Constitution enshrines freedom of religion and conscience, government practice tells a different story. Entry bans and deportations have increasingly been used as tools to silence foreign Christian workers, while theological training remains heavily restricted - the historic Halki Seminary remains closed, and Protestant seminaries continue to be denied legal status. At the same time, Bible education is prohibited even as Islamic theological courses are freely permitted under state oversight. Church properties also face unjust restrictions, with congregations such as the Bursa Protestant community being forced out of long-standing places of worship. Taken together, these practices reveal a pattern of systemic discrimination against Christians in clear violation of Articles 9 and 14 of the European Convention on Human Rights and Türkiye's own constitutional guarantees. The forthcoming Wiest v. Türkiye judgment is expected to set a crucial precedent for the protection of religious freedom in Europe and beyond. Mr. Wiest, a U.S. citizen who had resided legally in Türkiye for over 30 years, was banned from returning without evidence of wrongdoing. His case represents the growing number of believers punished for peacefully practicing their faith. "Freedom of religion cannot exist if believers live under threat of expulsion for practicing their faith," added Rieder. "The OSCE and its participating States have pledged to promote tolerance and non-discrimination. These commitments must be upheld not only in word, but in action." In her speech on behalf of ADF International, Rieder urged participating States to take concrete steps to uphold their commitments to freedom of religion and belief. This includes ensuring the full implementation of OSCE and international obligations on religious tolerance, preventing the misuse of administrative and security systems to marginalize or expel religious minorities, and guaranteeing accountability as well as effective legal remedies for victims of discrimination. The organization also calls for the immediate lifting of discriminatory bans and security codes that target individuals solely on the basis of their Christian faith, emphasizing that genuine tolerance requires not only words of commitment but measurable action to protect the rights of all believers. Despite constitutional guarantees of religious freedom, Türkiye's growing religious nationalism has led to systematic restrictions on minority religious communities. Christians face barriers to worship, education, and leadership, as well as ongoing state surveillance and deportation campaigns. ADF International continues to advocate for the rights of Christians in Türkiye and worldwide, defending the principle that freedom of religion is the foundation of every free society.