Communications Director
Location: New York City
Summary: The Empire State Pride Agenda is New York’s statewide lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights and advocacy organization. Our mission is to win equality and justice for LGBT New Yorkers and our families. Through our education, organizing and advocacy programs, we work toward creating a broadly diverse alliance of LGBT people and our allies in government, communities of faith, labor, all sectors of the workforce and other social justice movements to achieve equality for LGBT New Yorkers and the broader goals of social, racial and economic justice.
Position Summary: The Communications Director directs the external communications strategies for the Empire State Pride Agenda and the Empire State Pride Agenda Foundation (both referred to hereafter as the “Pride Agenda”). Responsible for the development and implementation of marketing and communications strategies consistent with Pride Agenda goals, the Communications Director should also have a strong understanding of government, politics and public policy. The Communications Director is also a member of the Pride Agenda’s senior management team, which is responsible for shaping the overall programs, policies and goals of the organization. The Communications Director manages the Deputy Communications Director and reports to the Executive Director.
Principal Duties:
- Designs communications plans and programs that leverage the Pride Agenda’s image, message, mission, priorities and accomplishments to achieve the organization’s goals.
- Provides input and guidance and is directly involved, where necessary, in areas and activities (i.e., publications, the website, program and fundraising events) that communicate the organization’s image, message, mission, priorities and accomplishments.
- Directly responsible for planning and executing the Pride Agenda’s advertising, media and messaging activities, which includes:
- Writing and promoting press releases, letters, editorials, opinion pieces and articles;
- Maintaining and building new relationships with key political and LGBT reporters across New York State (and the country where applicable) with the objective of achieving visibility for the Pride Agenda in key media environments and with target audiences in order to influence and move opinion on the organization’s goals. This includes building reporter interest in Pride Agenda issues and serving as a source of information, interpretation and analysis;
- Maintaining and building new relationships with newspaper editorial boards across New York State to advocate in support of Pride Agenda issues;
Using traditional media formats (i.e., print, television, radio, outdoor, direct mail) to communicate the Pride Agenda’s positions and initiatives in an efficient and effective manner;
- Overseeing and guiding strategic use of all web-based communications tools, including: organizational website (www.prideagenda.org), email blast/action alert and other e-advocacy systems, and new and social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, blog);
- Managing and negotiating the Pride Agenda’s relationship with media sponsors;
- Managing and negotiating advertising initiatives;
- Supplementing the Executive Director as public spokesperson, when needed, for the Pride Agenda and providing media training and advice to staff and Board members;
- Promoting and marketing Pride Agenda events, including fundraising events;
- Preparing talking points, speeches and statements on an as-needed basis to senior staff and Board members;
- Overseeing concept development and production of all Pride Agenda videos;
Monitoring media on a consistent basis for issues of importance and identifying trends in coverage.
- Assesses and evaluates overall communications program as well as specific initiatives to determine effectiveness; implements changes when required.
- Oversees OffSprung, the Pride Agenda’s program for engaging the next generation of LGBT leaders and allies.
- Works with Communications Directors of ally/partner organizations to fulfill strategic objectives and campaign goals as needed.
- Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned by the Executive Director.
Qualifications:
- B.A. degree or higher, preferably in a communications, political science or related field.
- Three to five years of demonstrated success in the communications field or in a comparable environment that draws upon skills related to the Pride Agenda’s work and objectives.
- Excellent written and verbal communications skills.
- Strong strategic thinker.
- Demonstrated ability to create and execute actionable plans that accomplish organizational objectives.
- Knowledge of legislative advocacy, the electoral process and public policy issues.
- Commitment to the LGBT community and/or broader social change movements.
- Ability to sustain multiple projects and work under pressure.
Compensation: Salary is commensurate with experience and nonprofit sector. Excellent employer-paid benefits package including vacation, medical, dental, life and long and short term disability insurance.
Applications: E-mail cover letter and resume to jobs@prideagenda.org or mail to Communications Director Search, Empire State Pride Agenda, 16 West 22nd Street, New York, NY 10010. No phone calls please.
The Pride Agenda is an Equal Opportunity employer. Women, people of color and transgender people are encouraged to apply.
Special Events Coordinator
Description:
The Empire State Pride Agenda is New York's statewide civil rights group committed to winning equality and justice for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) New Yorkers and our families. The Development Department of the Pride Agenda is seeking a full-time Special Events Coordinator in its New York City office. Reporting to the Director of Development, the Special Events Coordinator Organize all aspects of a successful fundraising event program with particular emphasis on successful and creative planning and execution of our major annual fundraising events.
Specific Responsibilities:
1. Coordinates all activity for five major annual events, including the Spring and Fall Dinners, Winter Heat women’s event, Hamptons Tea Dance, and Equality@Work Awards Luncheon, as well three to five cultivation events throughout the year across New York State.
2. Coordinates with Event Co-Chairs and the Director of Development, the formation of volunteer Event Committees, with special focus on developing and diversifying event leadership and motivating the Event Committees. Helps facilitate weekly or bi-weekly committee meetings as required and provides timely reports to Event Committees on event milestones, meeting minutes and income reports.
3. Recruits and manages all vendor relationships for all events. Researches and solicits venues and vendors (catering, bartenders, DJs, sound, lighting, printers, etc.) and manages bid process for each event, including Major Donor Receptions and other cultivation events. Creates RFPs for major event production and manages all aspects of RFP process including soliciting vendor applicants, reviewing proposals, and providing recommendations.
4. Manages all vendor relationships at events as on-site liaison and conducts post-event review of each vendor.
5. Creates and maintains event planning timelines and day-of schematics for each event. Also, coordinates with other Pride Agenda staff to help staff each event, as needed.
6. Maintains appropriate documentation and recordkeeping of all event expenses, including draft budgets, contract bids, check requests and billing. Maintains excellent and accurate communication with Finance Department to keep expenses at or under budget.
7. Assists Director of Development in creation and implementation all event materials, including event invitations, sponsorship solicitation packages, event donor acknowledgments, journal solicitations and acknowledgments.
8. Oversees bidding process, printing and mailing of all event materials with printing vendors or in-house.
9. Supports Director of Development and Director of Major Gifts to solicit and sustain relationships with existing and new event sponsors and donors, including in-kind donations, to meet income goals.
10. Inputs all event-related gift pledges, prepares invoices and coordinates payment schedules in a timely manner.
11. Assists with entry of all appropriate event information into the Pride Agenda’s central database system (the Raiser’s Edge), including event income, committee contacts, guest names, etc.
12. Coordinates on-site event registration with Development Assistant.
13. Works with Communications Department to publicize events, coordinate event photography and prepare text for event journals and scripts, as appropriate. Also works with Communications Department and webmaster to update event information online.
14. Works with Volunteer Coordinator to secure on-site volunteers for events.
Qualifications:
- Two to five years special events experience;
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills and superior attention to detail;
- Ability to perform multiple and complex tasks, which can include technical and confidential information;
- Superior computer and database management skills, including proficiency in Word and Excel and experience with fundraising databases;
- Self-starter, extremely well-organized and energetic;
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience required;
- Ability to work in a team environment;
- Experience working with volunteer committees; and
- Commitment to the mission of the Empire State Pride Agenda.
Compensation: Salary is commensurate with experience and nonprofit sector. Excellent employer-paid benefits package including vacation, medical, dental, life and long and short term disability insurance.
Applications: The position is available immediately. E-mail cover letter and resume to jobs@prideagenda.org with subject: Special Events Coordinator Search or mail to Special Events Coordinator Search, Empire State Pride Agenda, 16 West 22nd Street, New York, NY 10010. No phone calls please.
The Pride Agenda is an Equal Opportunity employer. Women, people of color and transgender people are encouraged to apply.