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Executive Director

Description: 

Founded in 1973, LACLJ has been providing legal services and advocacy to low-income, primarily immigrant and Latinx populations, for almost 50 years. In its early days, the organization played a historic role on a range of social justice issues related to racial discrimination, police brutality, school desegregation, and the illegal, involuntary sterilization of Latina women. Over time, the agency added additional direct support services and, beginning in the late 1990’s, greatly honed and expanded its legal work on behalf of survivors of domestic violence.

 

In recent years, the organization has sharpened its focus even further to providing legal and social services to survivors of sexual violence, domestic abuse and, most recently, human trafficking. In addition to its free services, LACLJ is an active advocate on criminal and civil justice issues (such as housing, education, and employment) and is a respected voice for family law in the appellate court system.

 

LACLJ has a current staff of about 40 people (inclusive of a 25-person legal team), and an annual operating budget over $4 million. Roughly 85% of LACLJ’s funding comes from public grants and contracts. The organization is overseen by a 27-person Board of Directors, and additionally supported by a 32-person, volunteer Leadership Council. The new Executive Director will step into an organization with a tight-knit professional staff, a reputation for delivering on behalf of its clients, and solid relationships with funding agencies. It is also an organization eager to develop and implement a new strategic plan, elevate its brand and visibility, and significantly increase private funding. It is an ideal opportunity for an experienced executive leader with personal passion and connection to LACLJ’s mission and a vision for sustainable growth and expansion.

Requirements: 

The Executive Director will assume primary operating and oversight responsibility for LACLJ and will work closely with Board, Staff, and community partners to advance the organization’s work and mission. They will have ultimate responsibility for strategic, operational, administrative, and financial stewardship, in concert with the Board of Directors, and will actively engage internal and external stakeholders in creating a shared vision for the future.

This executive leader will provide motivational leadership to LACLJ with a focus on the following organizational priorities:

 

  • Work with Board, Staff, and Stakeholders to develop and implement a new, multi-year strategic plan
  • Ensure ongoing financial sustainability through growth and diversification of fundraising programs, capacity, and results
  • Steward the organization on a path of strategic growth, aligning programs, services, and staffing to revenue and community need 
  • Lead efforts to raise visibility, awareness, and understanding of LACLJ’s work and accomplishments with key audiences
  • Strengthen and improve internal systems and structures that support people, programs, and organizational growth

 

The Executive Director will also function as a primary representative of LACLJ, its mission, and the communities it serves at public events, in the media, with policy makers, and in coalition with other allied community organizations and leaders.

 

Required Skills and Experience:

  • Minimum of 8 to 10 years of senior management experience that includes executive leadership (CEO, Executive Director, Deputy Director, or similar); preferably in a nonprofit organization that provides direct services and support to marginalized individuals and communities;
  • History of achieving organizational growth and improvement in the context of a stated mission and strategic objectives;
  • Track record of success and innovation in fundraising, revenue development, and diversifying funding sources to ensure financial sustainability;
  • Excellent people and team management skills with proven ability to positively coach and mentor staff, provide opportunities for professional development, and ensure accountability for results and outcomes;
  • Financial oversight and budget management experience in an organization of comparable size and complexity (and with similar funding sources);
  • Outstanding public speaking, writing, and communication skills, and experience acting as the authentic voice and face of an organization and the people it serves;
  • Personal history of bringing a trauma-informed approach to leadership, and to sustaining a supportive, wellness-centered organizational culture for staff and clients;
  • Ability to cultivate strategic and authentic relationships with other nonprofits, community organizations, public officials, and impacted communities.

 

Desired Skills and Experience

  • Previous leadership experience in a legal, immigration, sexual assault/domestic violence, youth & family services, or similar direct service organization;
  • Content expertise and/or program experience in one or more of the legal or social services areas LACLJ provides; 
  • Understanding of/previous participation in setting human resource practices, policies, and employee relations;
  • Training, education, or experience in marketing, branding, public relations, and external communications;
  • Undergraduate degree plus Master’s degree in Nonprofit Management, Business Administration, Social Work, or related field (or equivalent lived and professional experience) is preferred;      
  • While not required, a J.D. and/or professional legal experience may provide an additional benefit.

 

Personal Characteristics

  • Strong personal connection to and passion for the work and mission of LACLJ;
  • Demonstrated understanding and commitment to the people and communities LACLJ serves;
  • Strong interpersonal skills and high level of emotional intelligence;
  • Effective communication and active listening abilities;
  • Humility and self-awareness and a genuine desire to empower and uplift others;
  • Comfortable and effective with distributed leadership and collaborative decision making;
  • Creativity and flexibility in creating an inclusive vision for an organization and its constituents;
  • Transparent leadership style with the ability to manage across groups of varying identities, backgrounds, socio-economic positions, and lived/professional experience;
  • Accessible, relatable, authentic, and personable;
  • Values and champions a culture of professionalism, shared leadership, and accountability.

 

To Apply: 

Inquiries, nominations, or applications (including a resume and cover letter framing interest and fit with this Recruitment Profile) can be sent in confidence, to search@kevinchasesearch.com. We are pleased to answer any questions or supply further information.

Information

Submission Deadline: 
January 1, 2023
Organization Information: 
Los Angeles Center for Law and Justice Los Angeles, CA
United States