Executive Director

The Florida Bar Foundation, located in Maitland, Florida, is soliciting applications for the position of Executive Director to succeed its current executive director, who has announced his upcoming retirement.

Chartered in 1956 by The Florida Bar Board of Governors and the Supreme Court of Florida, The Florida Bar Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote greater access to justice. Through strategic grant-making, the Foundation funds civil legal aid and projects to improve the administration of justice and increase the effectiveness and efficiency of the civil legal aid delivery system. In addition, the Foundation engages in catalytic philanthropy by investing in training, technology, technical assistance, assessment and capacity building for the civil legal aid delivery system and works to develop and expand innovative pro bono initiatives. Principal support for the Foundation’s charitable activities comes from Florida’s Interest on Trust Accounts (IOTA) program, which was the nation’s first interest on trust account program. Additional support for the Foundation comes from gifts from Florida attorneys, law firms, corporations, foundations and cy pres awards.

The Executive Director is appointed by and reports to the Board of Directors of the Foundation and serves as the chief executive officer of the Foundation. In conjunction with the Foundation’s Board of Directors, the Executive Director sets a vision for organizational development, oversees systems, structures and internal policies and leads the Foundation in its mission of providing strategic support and funding for civil legal services. The Executive Director is the chief spokesperson for the Foundation, representing the Foundation to internal and external audiences, conveying the vision of the Foundation and motivating staff and all stakeholders to work collaboratively to achieve the strategic goals of the Foundation.

FOUNDATION HISTORY
Chartered in 1956 by The Florida Bar Board of Governors and the Supreme Court of Florida, The Florida Bar Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote greater access to justice. Through strategic grantmaking, the Foundation funds civil legal aid and projects to improve the administration of justice and increase the effectiveness and efficiency of the civil legal aid delivery system. In addition to providing funds directly to Florida civil legal aid organizations, the Foundation engages in catalytic philanthropy by investing in training, technology, technical assistance, assessment and capacity building for the civil legal aid delivery system and works to develop and expand innovative pro bono initiatives. Principal support for the Foundation’s charitable activities comes from Florida’s Interest on Trust Accounts (IOTA) program, which was the nation’s first interest on trust account program. Additional support for the Foundation comes from gifts from Florida attorneys, law firms, corporations, foundations and others.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
The Executive Director is appointed by and reports to the Board of Directors of the Foundation and serves as the chief executive officer of the Foundation. In conjunction with the Foundation’s Board of Directors, the Executive Director sets a vision for organizational development, oversees systems, structures and internal policies and leads the Foundation in its mission of providing strategic support and funding for civil legal services.

AS THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF FOUNDATION, DUTIES INCLUDE:

• Direct the Foundation’s operations and manage Foundation staff;
• Work with the Foundation staff to create and oversee a large annual budget (currently approximately $15 million) and maintain the organization’s commitment to financial stability through sound fiscal controls and leadership; monitoring revenue and expenses;
• Work with Foundation staff, board, grantees and other interested stakeholders to increase the funding and resources devoted to improving civil justice throughout Florida; including working with Foundation staff, board and others to increase financial support from current funders and donors and actively identifying and cultivating new revenue sources; participate in fundraising and donor stewardship activities of the Foundation;
• Negotiate, execute and ensure compliance with contracts and legal documents relating to Foundation operations as authorized by the Board of Directors;
• Work with Foundation staff to oversee all regulatory reporting, contractual obligations and donor restrictions;
• Act as chief spokesperson for the Foundation,
  
  • representing the Foundation within the access to justice community as well as with representatives of The Florida Bar, the Supreme Court of Florida, grantee organizations, the Florida Legislature, Florida’s Congressional delegation, other elected officials, governmental agencies, social service organizations, voluntary bar associations, present and potential funders, present and potential partners and the public at large (“Constituencies”);
  • Coordinating and leading advocacy efforts of the Foundation, its grantees and the access to justice community to advance public awareness of the importance of civil justice in society at large;
  • Working with Foundation staff, board, grantees and other interested stakeholders to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of Florida’s civil legal aid network.
  • Conveying a vision of the Foundation’s strategic future and motivate staff, board members, donors, partners and key constituents to work collaboratively to achieve the strategic goals of the Foundation;
     
• Foster and strengthen the Foundation’s relationship with all its Constituencies and proactively create strategic partnerships with individuals, governmental entities, organizations, corporations, law firms, and foundations whose goals are consistent with the Foundation’s mission;
• Identify, cultivate and recruit new board members in partnership with the Board’s appointing authorities -- the Foundation Board, the Supreme Court of Florida and the Board of Governors of The Florida Bar.