Program Manager or Associate Director: HIV Programs

Organizational Background:

Equality California is the nation’s largest statewide lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer+ (LGBTQ+) civil rights organization with over 900,000 members. Equality California brings the voices of LGBTQ+ people and allies to institutions of power in California and across the United States, striving to create a world that is healthy, just, and fully equal for all LGBTQ+ people. We advance civil rights and social justice by inspiring, advocating, and mobilizing through an inclusive movement that works tirelessly on behalf of those we serve. For more than 20 years, Equality California has been fighting for full, lived LGBTQ+ equality in a number of ways: electing pro-equality leaders up and down the ballot; passing pro-equality legislation in California, Nevada and Washington, DC; and fighting for LGBTQ+ civil rights and social justice in the courtroom.

Equality California Institute is a 501(c)(3) organization that has a parallel mission to Equality California, its 501(c)(4) counterpart. Equality California Institute works to achieve full, lived LGBTQ+ equality by reducing disparities in LGBTQ+ health and well-being, developing a pipeline of LGBTQ+ leaders and increasing civic participation within the LGBTQ+ community.

Silver State Equality is Nevada’s statewide LGBTQ+ civil rights organization, affiliated with and supported by Equality California.

Equality California’s affiliated political action committees work to elect pro-equality candidates running for federal, state and local elected office who have a proven track record of supporting civil rights and social justice for LGBTQ+ people and who are committed to advancing these goals in their capacity as elected officials.

Position Overview:

In 2016, Equality California was one of the founding partners of Californians for HIV Criminalization Reform (CHCR), which was a coalition of organizations and individuals dedicated to ending the criminalization of HIV in California. CHCR was developed in response to laws that were passed in California and around the country that criminalized otherwise legal behaviors or added penalties to existing crimes for people living with HIV. These laws are largely based on irrational fears about people living with HIV, our limited understanding of the routes and risks of HIV transmission, a limited number of prevention options, and the perception at that time of HIV being an incurable and inevitably fatal disease. CHCR sponsored the groundbreaking Senate Bill 239, which prohibited criminal penalties from being imposed based on a person’s HIV status unless the person acts with intent to harm another person. In 2017, Governor Jerry Brown signed Senate Bill 239 into law, transforming the legal landscape with respect to HIV criminalization in California.

In 2020, Equality California, in partnership with the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation, began its work to support the modernization of HIV laws in Nevada, Ohio, Georgia, Virginia, Tennessee, Florida, New Jersey, and Illinois. Equality California and Equality California Institute seek a full-time Program Manager or Associate Program Director to lead implementation of Equality California’s HIV programs, build key relationships with LGBTQ+ and allied organizations, support HIV coalitions, and execute grant objectives. Qualified candidates with senior-level experience will be considered for the Associate Program Director title.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all Equality California/Equality California Institute staff are working remotely. If and when it is safe to do so (in compliance with the state and local guidance), the Program Manager/Associate Program Director will be expected to work from the Equality California headquarters in Los Angeles.

The Program Manager/Associate Program Director will assist with other current Equality California/Equality California Institute programs and issues, including expanding healthcare access, immigration, transgender rights, safe and supportive schools, leadership development, tobacco control, passing pro-equality legislation and electing supportive candidates to office. Equality California’s expanded mission includes an intersectional approach to issues, as well as working with a wide range of institutions such as schools, businesses, unions, religious congregations, local governments, health clinics, and LGBTQ centers. This position would be based in Los Angeles and will be supervised by the Program Director.

Salary Range: $55,000 – $70,000 Annually (Program Manager); $70,000 – $82,000 Annually (Associate Director)

Responsibilities:

1. Manage all grant requirements and objectives. This work includes:

• Develop and manage all work plans and track progress.
• Manage all administrative responsibilities for the program including drafting and executing MOU’s, invoices, reporting, and budget management.
• Serve as the primary point of contact on the grant. Leading all correspondence with the funder and partner organizations.

2. Lead subgrantees and partner engagement. This work includes:

• Leading regular check-in meetings with state coalitions, partner organizations and outside consultants to track progress and provide strategic guidance.
• Work with subgrantees in eight states to develop their work plans and provide support in their efforts to modernize HIV laws.
• Troubleshoot program implementation challenges that subgrantees might experience with partners, coalitions, and meeting grant objectives.

3. Advise and lead all HIV policy activities. This work includes:

• Working alongside HIV advocates and policy leaders.
• Partnering with organizations in HIV policy and advocacy.
• Engage existing and forming HIV modernization coalitions.
• Inform strategy based on current research and studies.

4. Support all of Equality California/Equality California Institute program work, including:

• Assist with program implementation including presentations, partner engagement, event logistics and outreach, and drafting materials.
• Attend and participate in LGBTQ+ pride events across the state.
• Supporting Equality California/Equality California Institute’s advocacy, legislative and electoral work. Including phone/text banking in support of Equality California’s endorsed candidates.

5. Support other work of the organization on as-needed basis at the discretion of the Executive Director, Managing Director, and Program Director.

• When needed, all program department employees are expected to work across programs.
• Program department employees might be assigned and tasked with short and long-term additional programs.
• Program department employees might be assigned to different programs completely based on the needs of the organization.

Qualifications:

Applicants for this position should bring the following knowledge, abilities, and attitude:

• Over 5 years management experience working in any of the following fields: HIV education and advocacy, outreach, public education, and mobilization; as well as, working in social justice areas including: civil rights, progressive and/or social justice organizations, preferably in the LGBTQ+ movement, public policy, and public health. One year or more of people management experience is required.
• Experience working with grants.
• Detail-oriented and thorough work style.
• Experience working on HIV/AIDS programs and policy, with an advanced understanding of HIV policy and advocacy, and existing connections with leading HIV organizations.
• Knowledge, passion and commitment to addressing issues impacting the LGBTQ+ community as well as advancing equality and social justice generally.
• Strong public presentation skills, and experience in public speaking and/or training.
• Strong written communication skills including ability to assist in writing policy memos/documents, grant reports, and formal meeting documents.
• Commitment to working across lines of difference, including race, class, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, and age to achieve objectives.
• Ability and interest to work with a wide range of organizations and institutions including other LGBTQ+ groups, HIV/AIDS organizations, schools, unions, religious congregations, and other social justice and advocacy organizations. Demonstrated experience with at least some of these types of organizations required.
• Ability and experience in forming strong public relationships.
• HIV/AIDS advocacy knowledge and expertise, and/or a background in public policy preferred.
• Above all else, a positive attitude and willingness to work collaboratively and in support of the Equality California/Equality California Institute mission.
• A Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience is required; higher degree in public health or public policy preferred.

Salary will be based on experience and includes competitive benefits (healthcare, dental, vision, long/short term disability, life insurance and 401K). This full time position will be based out of Los Angeles and will require a flexible schedule including evening and weekend work time, as well as regular travel. Applicants will be reimbursed for mileage, but must have a reliable car.

Equality California is an equal employment opportunity employer. Equality California does not make employment decisions or discriminate based on protected characteristics including, but not limited to, race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, marital status, sex, gender (including gender identity and/or gender expression), sexual orientation, age, physical or mental handicaps, veteran status, or genetic information as prescribed by applicable local, state, and federal law. We strongly encourage diverse candidates to apply, including, but not limited to, women, people of color, people of diverse gender identities, and non-LGBTQ+ allies.

To apply:

Email resume (including names and contact of 3 references), cover letter and two writing samples to Robbie Rodriguez at jobs@eqca.org. Please be sure to put “HIV Program Manager” in the subject line of your email.