Volunteer and Job Opportunities

Freedom to Marry is the gay and non-gay partnership working to win marriage equality nationwide. Headed by Evan Wolfson, one of America's leading civil rights advocates and lawyers, Freedom to Marry brings new resources and a renewed context of urgency and opportunity to this social justice movement. Freedom to Marry brings the work of its partner organizations into a larger whole, a shared civil rights campaign that fosters heightened outreach to non-gay allies.

Founder and Executive Director Evan Wolfson is the primary spokesperson, content/program director, and fundraiser for the organization. Wolfson was named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time Magazine, is a civil rights attorney and longtime leader of the movement for marriage equality.

Voices of Equality Program Manager

The new Voices of Equality Program Manager will assume the duties of daily operations of the Voices of Equality program.  The Voices of Equality program is a national high profile strategic speakers bureau and media ambassadors program that seeks to advance messages of marriage equality through prominent civic leaders to targeted populations.

The new Voices of Equality Program Manager will be charged with leading and managing the VOE team to realize the vision of Freedom to Marry and its Executive Director through the Voices of Equality program.  The Voices of Equality Program Manager will supervise a 2-person staff team that will include talent booking and media advocacy functions. Responsibilities of the team will include:

• Developing the Voices of Equality annual plan in conjunction with the annual organizational budget planning process.
• Determining key audience segments that should be influenced through the VOE program, drawing on expertise within the organization and from its partners and others.
• Identifying, recruiting, training and maintaining relationships with a team of prominent civic leaders to speak on behalf of marriage equality.
• Engaging Freedom to Marry Steering Committee Members as part of the VOE team of ambassadors.
• Developing and implementing effective speaker/ambassador training program.
• Developing key messages targeted for each audience for use by each VOE ambassadors.
• Proactively placing the Voice of Equality ambassadors in public venues and media opportunities.
• Cultivating potential venues and new opportunities for appearances of VOE ambassadors.

• Maximizing the impact of VOE ambassadors with target audiences through aggressive media placements and coverage.

• Coordinating public appearances and media coverage of Freedom to Marry’s Executive Director to maximize impact of his field travel in reaching targeted audiences.
• Coordinating with Freedom to Marry’s website team to maximize the impact of the VOE program.

The Voices of Equality Program Manager Position and Key Qualifications
Reporting to the Managing Director and in coordination with the Executive Director, the Voices of Equality Program Manager is generally responsible for the following:

• Providing leadership and management for the day-to-day operation of the Voices of Equality Program by management of VOE staff  and proactive interaction with VOE ambassadors
• Creating and implementing a VOE program that demonstrably improves the acceptance of the Freedom to Marry with the public while enhancing the reputation and public standing of VOE ambassadors
• Ensuring a high level of quality for the VOE program so that we deliver a valuable resource to Freedom to Marry and its partners
• Ensuring effective integration of the VOE program with other Freedom to Marry programs and priorities.
• Facilitating a strong working relationship with the Executive Director, Managing Director, other staff, Steering Committee, and volunteers.

Ideal candidates for this position will have personnel management acumen, thrive on being a team manager and consensus builder, excel at partnering with a strong visionary leader, and share a deep commitment to the organization’s core operating values and mission. The individual Freedom to Marry is seeking should have experience in management, program development/implementation and an understanding of talent management and media coverage/placement.
The candidate will bring a variety of experiences and attributes to the organization including, but not limited to the following: 

• Record of effectively managing high profile ambassador or speakers bureau program.
• Proven and confident leadership/management with experience in building a strong team and effectively leading staff and volunteers
• Record of developing and engaging strong, high profile civic and business leaders
• Dispute resolution and negotiation skills and the ability to facilitate creative and positive problem solving
• Demonstrated networking skills and the ability to sustain and build partnerships and collaborations with a wide variety of stakeholders
• Record of developing and implementing media campaigns using free media
• Demonstrated experience in lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender legal issues

• Strong analytical and planning skills
• Advanced written and oral communication skills
• Record of honesty and trustworthiness

Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree from accredited institution required; advanced degree in media, marketing, or communication. Three to five years of experience in media, talent management, speakers bureau management. 

The position is open to all qualified applicants regardless of race, ethnicity and national origin, age, gender, physical ability, sexual orientation, gender identity, HIV status, religious affiliation, etc.

Compensation will be competitive and commensurate with experience. Ideally, the new Voices of Equality Program Manager would be available to assume responsibilities for this full-time, New York City based, position as soon as possible.
Forward resumes and cover letters to:

            Scott Davenport
            Managing Director, Freedom to Marry
            116 W. 23rd St  Suite 500
            New York, NY  10011
            scott-[AT]-freedomtomarry.org

 

---

Media Relations Coordinator

The Voices of Equality program is a national high profile strategic speakers bureau and media ambassadors program that seeks to advance messages of marriage equality through prominent civic leaders to targeted populations.

Voices of Equality Program
The Voices of Equality Program will consist of a 3-person staff team that will include program management, talent booking, and media advocacy functions. Responsibilities of the team will include:

• Developing the Voices of Equality annual plan in conjunction with the annual organizational budget planning process.
• Determining key audience segments that should be influenced through the VOE program.
• Identifying, recruiting, training and maintaining relationships with a team of prominent civic leaders to speak on behalf of marriage equality.
• Engaging Freedom to Marry Steering Committee Members as part of the VOE team of ambassadors.
• Developing and implementing effective speaker/ambassador training program.
• Developing key messages targeted for each audience for use by each VOE ambassadors.
• Proactively placing the Voice of Equality ambassadors in public venues and media opportunities.
• Cultivating potential venues and new opportunities for appearances of VOE ambassadors.

• Maximizing the impact of VOE ambassadors with target audiences through aggressive media placements and coverage.

• Coordinating public appearances and media coverage of Freedom to Marry’s Executive Director to maximize impact of his field travel in reaching targeted audiences.
• Coordinating with Freedom to Marry’s website team to maximize the impact of the VOE program.

Media Relations Coordinator Position and Key Qualifications
Reporting to the Voices of Equality Program Manager and in coordination with the Executive Director, the Media Relations Coordinator is an integral part of the Voices of Equality team while also providing media management support for the entire Freedom to Marry organization.  The Media Relations Coordinator is generally responsible for the following:

• Maximizing the impact of VOE ambassadors with target audiences through aggressive media placements and coverage
• Assisting in preparation and placement of op-eds and other such pieces for VOE
• Securing and coordinating media coverage for Freedom to Marry’s Executive Director
• Securing and coordinating media coverage for Steering Committee members
• Tracking print, broadcast and online coverage and preparing reports for both VOE placements and for Freedom to Marry as a whole
• Maintaining media relations on behalf of Freedom to Marry and movement partners

Ideal candidates for this position will have significant media management and communications experience, thrive on being a team player, excel at partnering with a strong visionary leader, and share a deep commitment to the organization’s core operating values and mission. The individual Freedom to Marry is seeking should have experience in media management and channels, message development and audience targeting and an understanding of media coverage and placement.
The candidate will bring a variety of experiences and attributes to the organization including, but not limited to the following: 

• Record of effective involvement with a high profile ambassador or speakers bureau program.
• Proven ability to work well within structured and ad hoc teams
• Record of interacting well with  strong, high profile civic and business leaders
• Dispute resolution and negotiation skills and the ability to facilitate creative and positive problem solving
• Demonstrated networking skills and the ability to sustain and build partnerships and collaborations with a wide variety of stakeholders and members of the media
• Record of developing and implementing media campaigns using free media
• Demonstrated experience in lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender legal issues

• Strong analytical and planning skills
• Advanced written and oral communication skills
• Record of honesty and trustworthiness

Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree from accredited institution required; advanced degree in media, marketing, or communication. Three years of experience in media, talent management, speakers bureau management. 

The position is open to all qualified applicants regardless of race, ethnicity and national origin, age, gender, physical ability, sexual orientation, gender identity, HIV status, religious affiliation, etc.

Compensation will be competitive and commensurate with experience. Ideally, the new Voices of Equality Media Relations Coordinator would be available to assume responsibilities for this full-time, New York City based, position as soon as possible.
Forward resumes and cover letters to:

            Scott Davenport
            Managing Director, Freedom to Marry
            116 W. 23rd St  Suite 500
            New York, NY  10011
            scott-[AT]-freedomtomarry.org

 

---

 

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY: Freedom to Marry needs your help!

updated 1/02/2008
Whether you can help out with an extra hand for event mailings or envelope stuffings, or donate time for data entry, web assistance, or research, your assistance is invaluable. If you live in or near New York City, Please contact our Office Administrator, at info-[AT]-freedomtomarry.org or 212-851-8418 x5, with the days and hours you can be available, as well as your interests.

 

---