Program Director

The Equality Community Center (ECC) serves as a community hub and gathering place for folks within the LGBTQ+ and allied communities who are seeking support and connection. The Center, located at 15 Casco Street in downtown Portland, strives to provide a safe space that is purposefully multicultural, accessible, and welcoming. It is an exciting time in our growth as we will soon be opening our affordable senior housing living community for LGBTQ+ older adults and their allies.

The Program Director is a new position that will provide leadership for developing and implementing our social and educational programming efforts to best meet the needs of our diverse community in a holistic, wellness-centered approach. Based on findings in our recent strategic planning process, priority focus communities within Maine’s LGBTQ+ community include: youth, older adults and residents of Equality Commons, immigrants and asylum seekers, Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC), and people living with disabilities.

They will work in cooperation with Center staff, board and volunteers to ensure program effectiveness, cohesiveness and growth, while also developing collaborative relationships with ECC tenant organizations and other community partners to maximize the impact and reach of all Center programming. The Program Director will also represent the ECC when invited to support programming initiatives led by other organizations.

Additionally, the Program Director will develop support services for Center patrons who are experiencing crisis and/or encountering barriers to accessing community resources. By building and maintaining relationships with community service providers and agencies, the Director will assess needs, provide referrals, and when possible facilitate warm transfers to appropriate services in the community.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Program Development, Delivery, and Evaluation

• Assess current and future community needs, solicit input from stakeholders, and recommend population-specific and culturally relevant programs for development and implementation in alignment with the Center’s mission and strategic priorities
• Develop and implement aging-positive and intergenerational programming for LGBTQ+ older adults, including residents of Equality Commons
• Develop and implement an after-school drop-in program for LGBTQ+ youth
• Ensure programmatic excellence by establishing benchmarks, timelines, and the resources needed to achieve strategic goals; set standards for accountability and measurements of success; analyze programmatic trends, identify issues, and proactively recommend changes or ending of programs as appropriate
• Develop and implement awareness and marketing strategies to expand program participation and authentic engagement with targeted populations
• Recruit, engage and support volunteers in any programming areas where involvement is possible, including the library and art gallery
• Explore collaborative partnerships with ECC tenant organizations and other community agencies whenever possible
• Coordinate community requests to partner with or use the Center for programming aligned with our mission and values
• Explore the creation of a LGBTQ+ cultural competency training for public agencies, business organizations, educational and healthcare institutions, and other nonprofit

Program Operations and Knowledge Management

• Work with the Executive Director to set an annual calendar of programs, services, and program events
• Maintain and build upon the systems and processes for recording program activities including facilitating data collection and analysis, sharing of knowledge, and collecting narrative success stories that demonstrate progress toward strategic program goals
• Seek opportunities for and draft program-based grant proposals in coordination with the development staff
• Draft program budgets and maintain fiscal controls within the scope of the Center’s approved annual budget in coordination with the Operations Manager including oversight and management of scope of work for grant funded programs
• Ensure program compliance with all laws, regulations, organizational policies, and funding guidelines
• Assist in the collection of satisfaction data and valuation of volunteer hours and donated materials that support programs
• Develop and maintain programming specific policies, procedures, and training protocols
• Develop a vision and plan for the future programs and services offered at the Center, including anticipation of changes in funding streams, client and staffing needs

Community of Care

• Foster a community of care that prioritizes the needs of the most marginalized within our community
• Provide support for the health and wellness needs of at-risk Center patrons that may be in crisis by assessing a situation and making the most appropriate referral
• Develop relationships with community partners and agencies that provide direct services and resources for the communities we serve
• Develop a regular wellness program for ECC tenant and partner organizations
• Recruit, train, manage, and support volunteers
• Explore creation of an intern program with local colleges and/or local mental health service agencies

Relationship Management

• Help to ensure that the ECC maintains a strong presence in the communities we are working to serve, always seeking opportunities for engagement, both internally and externally.
• Work with the staff, board and volunteers to explore new and innovative ways to create greater awareness of the Equality Community Center
• Coordinate our participation in any community outreach opportunities, including Pride and other community events
• Facilitate opportunities for community members, partner agencies, donors and businesses to meaningfully engage with the Center and support our work and mission
• Represent the ECC when invited to participate in community initiatives that are connected to our mission and work on behalf of the LGBTQ+ community
• Speak on behalf of the organization as needed, including media interviews and public forums

Organizational Support

• Assist with staffing the building outside of normal business hours, as needed
• Provide information and reports as needed to ECC board and committees
• Attend weekly staff and supervision meetings
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Executive Director
• Attend professional development workshops, webinars and conferences to support your knowledge and growth

Qualifications

Education and Experience

• Undergraduate or master’s degree in social work, mental health, human services, education, organizational development, or other relevant field; 6 years directly relevant experience may be substituted for educational background
• At least 4 years non-profit, higher education or public service work experience with a management role
• At least 3 years program management experience
• At least 2 years staff and volunteer management/supervision experience
• Working with diverse populations, specifically queer youth, LGBTQ+ older adults, transgender individuals and queer people of color, immigrants or other non-native English speakers, people experiencing homelessness, people living with HIV/AIDS, neurodivergent folks, people living with disabilities, and people in recovery, having modeled a client-centered approach is critical
• Experience working to address issues that impact our diverse community, including but not limited to: discrimination and bullying, housing and food security, substance use disorder, sexual health, interpersonal violence, racism, ableism, immigration and asylum processes

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrated capacity to develop and manage grant funded programs in alignment with a strategic plan
• Knowledge of how to conduct and interpret a community needs assessment
• Program budget creation and management
• Grant writing and reporting
• Desire to learn from others, research best practices, partner with other organizations, and implement evidence-based program models

Personal Skills:

• Passion for the Center’s mission and work to create a welcoming, safe and inclusive work and gathering space for LGBTQ+ and other marginalized communities, and a commitment to follow all policies and procedures of the organization
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills; public speaking, facilitation, and coalition building capabilities to balance interests, negotiate, and work with a variety of internal and external stakeholders
• Empathy and ability to support someone in crisis, including triage and de-escalation
• Project and time management skills, including prioritization, self-direction and multi-tasking

Computer Skills:

• Google Suite including Gmail, Drive, Sheets, Docs, etc.
• Microsoft Office Suite including Word, Excel, PowerPoint
• Social media tools
• Graphic design - ie. Canva
• Project management - ie. Asana

Other:

• The person in this position may be required to sit or stand for extended periods, maneuver tight storage space, move objects up to 50 pounds, set up tables and chairs and move furniture for events, ascend/descend stairs, operate office equipment, interact with visitors.
• Reliable transportation and an ability to travel on a limited basis with some evening and weekend hours are required
• Flexibility to work evenings and weekends as required.

NOTE: Offers of employment may be contingent on satisfactory results of a criminal history background

check.

Salary and Benefits

• Full-time, exempt
• Salary will be commensurate with experience with a range of $60,000-$70,000/year
• 12 Paid Holidays annually including one week off in July after Pride month
• Paid Time Off (PTO) accrual system
• Full coverage -health insurance, including dental and vision coverage
• Parking
• Professional development resources

Job Location and Schedule

The Coordinator is expected to work on-site in the Center, located in Portland, ME. Parking is provided. A flexible schedule including evenings, weekends and weekdays will be required as needed according to our programming schedule. Ability to prioritize multiple projects and manage frequent interruptions is essential to succeeding in this environment.

To Apply

Please submit a cover letter and resume addressed to Christopher O’Connor, Executive Director, by email to chris@eccmaine.org (PDF attachments only); subject line: Program Director.

Applications will be accepted until March 16, 2026 or until the position is filled. Applications without a cover letter will not be considered.

About the Organization:

The Equality Community Center is a collaborative workplace for LGBTQ+ and allied social justice seeking non-profit organizations.

We strive to provide a safer and more inclusive gathering space with social and educational programming for all, while supporting the most marginalized in our communities.

Equal Opportunity

The Equality Community Center is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer. People of color, women, persons with disabilities, and persons who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or intersex are encouraged to apply. The Center maintains a policy of non-discrimination with respect to employees and applicants for employment. No aspect of employment will be influenced in any matter by race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, marital status, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, physical disability (including HIV or AIDS), medical/mental condition, perceived physical disability or veteran status, or any other basis prohibited by statute.

• Full-time, exempt
• Salary will be commensurate with experience with a range of $60,000-$70,000/year
• 12 Paid Holidays annually including one week off in July after Pride month
• Paid Time Off (PTO) accrual system
• Full coverage -health insurance, including dental and vision coverage
• Parking
• Professional development resources