The ACLU of WA is expanding its staff and is looking for accomplished and dedicated individuals to join our team. The Program and Events Manager works as part of a five-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. In the past year in Washington state, we’ve won a lawsuit for a gay couple who was denied service by their local florist, a major victory for Latino voting rights in Yakima, and a ruling that stops the horrific 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; conduct post-event analyses. Manage ACLU-WA co-sponsorship of events organized by others. Help develop and implement strategies for advancing ACLU-WA projects, issue campaigns, and events.

Community Outreach. Manage arrangements, recruit and train volunteers, assemble materials, and coordinate logistics for ACLU presence at community events and Pride marches. Manage Speaker 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 expand and strengthen young adult-focused communications efforts.

Writing and Social Media. Draft occasional blog posts and other materials for the ACLU-WA website. Participate in social media team meetings.

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 writing skills for publication on our website and in promotional materials.
Strong interpersonal communications skills. Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with staff, vendors, and volunteers. Experience in supervising volunteers and working cooperatively with external groups.
Understanding of and experience in issue advocacy work.
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.
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.

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.”

How to apply

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. To apply, email a letter of application, resume and brief writing sample to Jobs@aclu-wa.org 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.