Programs and Events Manager

Unpublished

The Program and Events Manager works as part of the four-person Communications Team to promote public understanding of civil liberties and the ACLU-WA’s work in safeguarding and advancing rights and freedom. The position manages a variety of events, co-sponsorships, outreach activities, and public speakers. This position reports to the Communications Director and works collaboratively with staff members in other departments. It is a “go-to” position, and requires someone with a “can-do” attitude. 

Overview

The ACLU of Washington is a leader among state affiliates of the American Civil Liberties Union, the country's premier guardian of liberty. We work in courts, legislatures, and communities to protect and extend American rights to freedom, fairness and equality. The ACLU is both nonprofit and nonpartisan. 

Whether it’s ending mass incarceration and police brutality, achieving full equality for LGBT people, protecting privacy in the digital age, preserving the right to vote, or ensuring reproductive freedom, the ACLU is willing to take on tough civil liberties cases and issues to defend all people from government abuse and overreach. And we’re successful. Recently in Washington state, we’ve won a lawsuit for a gay couple who was denied service by their local florist, major victories for Latino voting rights in Yakima and Pasco, a ruling that stops the appalling practice of warehousing mentally ill persons in jails without mental health treatment, and much more. The ACLU stands for the principle that every individual’s rights must be protected equally under the law, regardless of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability or national origin. 

The ACLU-WA’s staff of 30+ employees and numerous volunteers work in a fast-paced, friendly and professional office in downtown Seattle. We are supported by more than 50,000 members, activists, and donors.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Project Management. Organize and manage ACLU-WA events, which include public forums and CLEs, a high school student conference, and periodic one-time events: oversee the design, production, and mailing of invitations and materials, arrange for speakers and volunteers, handle facilities arrangements, logistics, budget, and all the details of successful events; and conduct post-event analyses.  Manage ACLU-WA co-sponsorship of events organized by others. Help develop and implement strategies for advancing ACLU-WA projects and issue campaigns.

Community Outreach. Manage arrangements, recruit and train volunteers, assemble materials, and coordinate logistics for ACLU presence at community events and Pride marches. Manage the Speaker’s Bureau: coordinate arrangements for speaking engagements at school and community groups, organize trainings, and assist in planning and evaluation; market ACLU-WA speakers to community groups.  Help develop plans to increase public visibility for the ACLU, and help expand and strengthen young adult-focused communications efforts.  

Writing and Social Media. Draft event postings, occasional blog posts, and other materials for the ACLU-WA website. Draft text for social media promotion of projects and events. 

Student Education. Coordinate outreach programs to teachers, maintain a database of educators, and manage a distribution list for teachers. Develop content for Student Conference.  Serve as liaison with ACLU-WA student clubs. 

Other responsibilities.  Handle other projects related to advancing public understanding of civil liberties as assigned.  Attend ACLU-WA events and occasional community functions. Help ensure smooth and effective office operations.  Assist the Communications Director as needed, and work as a supportive team member on Communications Department projects.  Help maintain a positive, respectful, welcoming, and professional work environment for employees and volunteers. 

QUALIFICATIONS 

  • Experience in successful event management and in handling multiple projects simultaneously.  Ability to manage details with a minimum of direct supervision.
  • Strong interpersonal communications skills.  Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with staff, vendors, and volunteers. Experience in supervising volunteers and working cooperatively with external groups.
  • Strong support of the ACLU and familiarity with civil rights and civil liberties issues.
  • Demonstrated administrative skills and problem-solving abilities.  A history of reliability, conscientiousness, and timeliness.
  • Proven experience in juggling multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment with frequent and concurrent deadlines. Flexibility and willingness to take on new tasks as responsibilities evolve.
  • Solid writing skills for promotional materials. 
  • Knowledge of Adobe InDesign or Illustrator is a plus.
  • A confident, professional, and outgoing presentation. Ability to represent the ACLU effectively before the general public.
  • A commitment to diversity; a personal approach that values the individual and respects differences of race, ethnicity, age, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ability  and socio-economic circumstance.
  • Ability to work occasional overtime or irregular hours.
  • Driver’s license and car for occasional use.
  • B.A. or equivalent and minimum three years of relevant, professional-level work experience.

This job description provides a general but not comprehensive list of the essential responsibilities and qualifications required. It does not represent a contract of employment. The ACLU reserves the right to change the description and/or posting at any time without advance notice. This position is “exempt” under the Fair Labor Standards Act.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Salary is based on experience and qualifications.  Benefits include three weeks of vacation to start, medical and disability insurance, a retirement plan, and an ORCA card. 

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. To apply, email a letter of application, resume and brief writing sample to [email protected] and include in the subject line of the email:  your last name and Programs and Events Manager.  In your letter, please indicate where you learned of the posting. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled, at which time the job announcement will be removed from our website at www.ACLU-WA.org/AboutUs/Jobs.

 

The ACLU is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and encourages qualified individuals of every race, creed, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, and gender identity and expression to apply.

The ACLU of Washington comprises two separate corporate entities, the American Civil Liberties Union of Washington, Inc. and the American Civil Liberties Union of Washington Foundation. The two corporations share the same overall mission, office space, and employees. This job posting refers collectively to the two organizations under the name “ACLU of Washington.”