Leadership & Volunteer Programs Manager

Lambda Legal•New York, NY

2d•$85,000 - $110,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Leadership & Volunteer Programs Manager (LVPM) plays a critical role in advancing national fundraising efforts at Lambda Legal by strengthening the infrastructure that supports volunteer leadership engagement. This position enables senior leadership to focus on high-value relationship building and strategy by owning and optimizing the systems, processes, and coordination required to effectively cultivate volunteer leadership pipelines and steward key national leadership groups – including the Board, National Leadership Council, Emeritus Board, and the forthcoming Plaintiff’s Council. The LVPM reports to the Director of Leadership Programs (DLP) and regularly supports Executive and Development leadership, requiring a high degree of discretion, independent judgment, and the ability to handle sensitive and confidential information, while ensuring leaders have the structure, tools, and insights needed to drive engagement and fundraising outcomes. This role also oversees and manages the internship lifecycle for the Office of the CEO at national headquarters (HDQ). This is a highly execution-oriented role with opportunities to shape and strengthen volunteer engagement strategies, translating relationship-driven goals into clear, actionable plans that advance Lambda Legal’s mission.

Requirements

3+ years of experience in nonprofit development, volunteer engagement, or program management.
Experience planning and staffing events and activations, including vendor coordination, timeline management, and on-site logistics.
Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and multiple projects simultaneously across multiple workstreams without losing sight of long-term goals.
Comfort with providing administrative leverage, including selective scheduling, agenda creation, documentation, and follow-up.
Proven ability to work independently, take initiative, anticipate needs, and follow through on assignments without constant supervision and limited direction.
Skilled at upward management by providing targeted, timely updates, surfacing key decisions needed, and asking clarifying questions proactively.
Excellent written and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to produce polished materials — from event collateral to program reports — independently and under tight deadlines.
High proficiency in Microsoft Office and familiarity with CRM or volunteer management platforms.

Nice To Haves

Experience managing a donor portfolio or conducting direct solicitations.
Prior experience with nonprofit governance or board administration.
Demonstrated success designing, implementing, and managing volunteer engagement or cultivation programs, with measurable outcomes tied to donor or leadership pipeline growth.
Experience recruiting, onboarding, and supervising interns in a structured program context.
Successful candidates will welcome the opportunity to work in a racially- and gender-diverse environment and to contribute to a positive and inclusive atmosphere. Working at Lambda Legal requires a demonstrated awareness of and commitment to the concerns of the breadth of the communities that Lambda Legal serves. Prior work on behalf of the LGBTQ+ community and/or people living with HIV is highly desirable. Experience working with other historically marginalized communities (in a professional or volunteer capacity) is also desirable.

Responsibilities

Develop and implement a national volunteer engagement strategy to build a pipeline of volunteers who can be activated into Liberty Circle, major donors, and national sponsors.
Design and scale volunteer fundraising programs that ensure consistent, high-quality engagement opportunities across regions.
Maintain and continuously refine Lambda Legal’s Volunteer Playbook to support standardized practices and scalable growth.
Track and analyze volunteer participation, engagement, and conversion to inform strategy and improve donor pipeline outcomes.
Identify high-potential volunteers for leadership opportunities and connect them to the applicable stakeholders.
Support HDQ-based volunteer councils (e.g. Emerging Leaders), in collaboration with the HDQ Regional Director and Major Gifts team.
Own and manage the organization's Board management platform (OnBoard), driving continuous improvement in systems, processes, and user experience.
Maintain official Board records, including minutes, resolutions, committee rosters, and any other materials required for the annual audit.
Coordinate the program logistics of a 40-person Board, committee calendars, and quarterly meetings.
Support program administration including scheduling meetings, tracking recruitment pipelines, and maintaining member records and communications.
Coordinate engagement initiatives for long-tenured former Board members, including organizing convenings, managing outreach, and supporting events and meeting logistics.
Develop and operationalize a Plaintiff's Council from the ground up, including supporting the development of program infrastructure, coordinating inaugural meetings, and managing ongoing engagement and logistics.
Manage the intern life cycle for the Office of the CEO, including recruitment, onboarding, and offboarding in alignment with People & Culture’s standards and procedures.
Ensure interns receive structured onboarding, mentorship, and performance feedback aligned with organizational goals.
Maintain consistency and quality across internship experiences.
Support local fundraising events by developing project timelines; negotiating vendor contracts; organizing site visits; coordinating volunteers; designing and producing promotional materials (invitations, social media and other collateral);
Assist with ticketing, seating, and on-site event execution.
Coordinate Pride activations and other donor outreach efforts across the Northeast region with a focus on engaging BIPOC and TGNC communities.

Benefits

Medical benefits that begin on your start date
Dental, Vision, and Life insurance (effective 30 days from your start date)
Short & Long-Term Disability plans (effective 30 days from your start date)
403(b) Retirement Plan (employer contribution and matching program begins after 90 days of employment)
Paid Vacation (15 Days)
Sick Leave (12 Days)
Personal Leave (3 Days)
Religious Observance Leave (3 Days)
Bereavement and Bereavement Anniversary Leave
Floating Holiday (1 Day)
12 paid holidays and 5 early office closures
Flexible Spending Account (FSA/DC FSA) and Commuter Benefits
Health Reimbursement Account
$50 monthly mobile phone reimbursement
Annual professional development fund
Summer Fridays from Memorial Day to Labor Day
Premium subscription to the Calm App
Paid sabbatical after 7 years of service at Lambda Legal (4 weeks for non-exempt positions and 8 weeks for exempt positions)