Position: Director
Reports to: Board of Directors

About the organization
Equality Maryland is the state’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) rights organization. Comprised of three entities, Equality Maryland works to advance legal rights for LGBT Marylanders as well as engage in public education and initiatives to advance full lived equality for the LGBT community. The Equality Maryland Foundation works to eliminate prejudice and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity through outreach, education, research, community organizing, training and coalition building; Equality Maryland Inc. lobbies in Annapolis and across the state to create equal protection under the law for LGBT Marylanders and their families; and the Political Action Committee (PAC) works to elect fair-minded candidates.

Equality Maryland has led the fights to achieve marriage equality and a transgender-inclusive state anti-discrimination law, and remains the leading advocate for LGBT Marylanders across the state. The organization has also engaged in key coalition work to address issues at the intersections of LGBT and other identities, including racial and economic justice measures.

The organization is at a critical juncture, and the Director will play a key role in shaping the future.

Role and Responsibilities
Equality Maryland seeks a visionary leader to serve as the organization’s next Director. This is an exciting opportunity to build on previous successes to advocate for legal equality, work with the Board to develop and articulate an inspiring vision for achieving true equality and reducing prejudice and discrimination, and secure the sustainable funding to continue the organization. Specific responsibilities include:

• Work with Board of Directors to shape, articulate and implement vision for organization’s legislative and programmatic agendas
• Build fundraising program to secure financial resources to support organization’s continued efforts, including from foundations, small and major donors, corporations and events
• Develop messaging and serve as main spokesperson with media to advance organizational priorities and continue Equality Maryland’s role as a thought leader on LGBT issues
• Develop and lead trainings, educational programs, panels and other appearances to educate diverse audiences about LGBT issues and combating discrimination
• Serve as chief lobbyist with state and local lawmakers, agency staff and other officials to advance legislation promoting LGBT equality and issues important to LGBT people including economic, racial and gender equality
• Manage online communication and engagement of supporter list numbering in the tens of thousands and social media accounts
• Strengthen and maintain relationships with community allies and stakeholders, including LGBT community leaders and national, state and local partner organizations
• Recruit and manage volunteers to assist in programs, events, and fundraising
• Represent Equality Maryland in coalitions, currently including those focused on the needs of transgender communities, LGBT youth, economic policies such as earned sick leave, police reform and accountability, and more
• Manage administrative and operational systems including finances, donor and supporter database, yearly tax filings, and those necessary to sustain C3/C4/PAC operations

Qualifications
The ideal candidate must be a self-starter who is equally capable of articulating a vision of full LGBT equality and social justice, and managing the details to sustain the organization’s work to achieve it. Specific qualifications for the ideal candidate include:

• Deep commitment to LGBT justice and understanding of the intersections of homophobia, transphobia, racism, sexism and other prejudices
• Demonstrated success leading an organization or department, including setting direction and implementing plans to achieve results
• Demonstrated track record of fundraising from diverse sources
• Record of successful advocacy as a lobbyist, political advocate, legislative staff or comparable experience
• Skilled relationship-builder capable of establishing partnerships with varied audiences, from individual community members to legislators to major donors and foundation staff
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with experience in media relations, fundraising appeals, and developing full communications campaigns
• Experience managing fundamental operational systems
• Strong work ethic and self-motivation capable of working remotely
• Experience working for or understanding of joint C3/C4/PAC organizations a plus

Location: The location is flexible within Maryland, and the Director should be comfortable working remotely. Access to a vehicle is required for occasional travel across the state.

Salary: Dependent on experience.

How to apply: Qualified candidates should send a cover letter, resume, and writing sample to board@equalitymaryland.org. Equality Maryland is committed to representing the full community, and encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.

Due to expected high volume of applicants, we can only respond to those selected for interviews. No phone calls, please.