Executive Director
We are a ten-year-old, small, statewide non-profit that relies on pro bono attorneys, contract attorneys, law students, and volunteers, in addition to our staff, to accomplish our mission.
We launch new programs and identify new clients primarily through legal clinics, as well as through cooperating with court administrators to bundle and fast-track cases, like our ReEntry Docket Program, where we just reached the over $1M mark of court debt eliminated in Orleans Municipal Court. Much of our work is done through collaborative models with government entities and non-profit partners, whether we are providing legal services or engaging in advocacy work. JAC facilitates several statewide coalitions, including the Louisiana Stop Solitary Coalition and three different policy coalitions focusing on driver’s license suspensions, expungements, and criminal fines & fees. These coalitions have changed the law on solitary confinement for the first time in 150 years in Louisiana, as well as advanced expungement law changes that have expanded eligibility to thousands of people with criminal records in our state.
Our organizational leadership includes the Executive Director and three Directors:
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Advocacy which encompasses JAC's legislative and policy work, community education initiatives and participation in the legislative process, and client representation associated with ensuring compliance with or advancing priority legislation.
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Outreach and Community Engagement, which encompasses JAC's social media presence to inform the public of our work and upcoming events, managing Outreach Specialists who present JAC Know Your Rights sessions, and engaging with and coordinating JAC community coalitions, including the New Endings and Opportunities (NEO) Coalition and the Louisiana Stop Solitary Coalition.
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Legal Director who oversees all legal staff and coordinates JAC's legal clinics and events (both expungement and reentry) and legal representation and litigation around priorities to meet grant deliverables in the areas of expungements, child support, background checks, and public records.
The JAC team currently has a hybrid work model, and we anticipate the new Executive Director will be located in New Orleans or Baton Rouge.
Key responsibilities include-
Resource Development
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Provide immediate leadership and oversight for all fundraising efforts, including the creation (or implementation) of an annual fundraising plan, writing/submitting grant proposals, and developing additional strategic fundraising activities
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Represent the organization with government agencies, major donors, the media, professional and civic organizations, and the general public.
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Meet or exceed annual budget goals through grants, donations, and campaigns.
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Identify new grant funding opportunities and build relationships with donors.
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Scale up individual donor contributions and identify and cultivate major individual donors.
Board Development and Management
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Advise, inform and provide data to the Board of Directors regarding the needs and operations of the organization as appropriate to ensure the Board can meet its fiduciary responsibilities.
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Serve as the primary communicator between the Board and the other staff.
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Implement the policies, procedures, and guidelines approved by the Board of Directors.
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In coordination with the Board Chair, ensure the timely preparation and distribution of regular board meeting agendas, materials, and financial statements.
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Advise and participate with the Board of Directors in the preparation of short and long-term strategic plans.
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Attend Board meetings and other meetings as required.
Organizational leadership
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Facilitate the development of current and long-range objectives, strategic plans, and policies subject to the approval of the Board of Directors.
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Grant deliverables management.
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Collaborate with the leadership team to strengthen team culture and work processes.
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Manage the leadership team, including coaching, mentoring, and training of supervisors and ensuring the strategic and successful management of subordinate staff.
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Establish and maintain an effective system of communication throughout the organization.
Professional Qualifications The following qualifications are essential to success in the executive director role.
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Minimum of 5 years of experience in the social justice or legal sector (5 years of legal experience in one of JAC’s core legal areas strongly preferred)
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Knowledge of and demonstrated commitment to the mission, goals, and priorities of JAC, including a deep understanding of and commitment to criminal justice reform.
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Experienced fundraising abilities with a proven track record of partnership development and relationship-building in the nonprofit and/or public sector.
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Experience in nonprofit governance; comfort in working closely with the Board of Directors.
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Commitment to anti-racist work, education, and growth.
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Excellent written and oral communication skills; comfort communicating in public forums and across a broad group of stakeholders.
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Strength in managing a small team to create a significant impact.
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Ability and willingness to work flexible hours outside a 9-5 schedule.
Additionally, these qualifications are not essential but preferable:
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An attorney with five years of practice experience, civil and/or criminal, Louisiana preferred, currently licensed preferred.
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Policy, advocacy, and organizing experience.
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Familiarity with the New Orleans or Baton Rouge community.
Please email info@jaclouisiana.org the following:
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Cover Letter
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Resume
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A writing sample fully of your own creation. Preferably a grant proposal, brief, or policy paper.
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Four professional references with contact information. - At least one reference should come from a recent or current supervisor and another should be someone you have directly managed.
Include in the subject line: Executive Director Search [Last Name].
The priority deadline for applying is January 27, 2023. Early submission is encouraged. Applications received after the deadline will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
If your experience doesn’t match the exact qualifications listed above, but you believe you would shine, we would invite you to apply and share why you would be a good fit.
We strongly encourage Black, Brown, Indigenous, Latinx, formerly incarcerated, systems-impacted people, and applicants from other minority communities to apply.