Position Description: The Operations and Finance Director (OFD) is a full-time staff member of the NLG National Office (NO). The position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement with the National Organization of Legal Service Workers, UAW Local 2320.
The OFD works closely with the Executive Director to oversee the full range of operations and finance systems, including leadership of our financial functions, administrative systems, human resources, organizational infrastructure and technology, and regulatory compliance. This position is an essential part of keeping our small, remote, and collaborative office running smoothly. The incoming OFD will have the opportunity to help guide and refine our internal systems to make them more efficient, resilient, and justice-oriented.
About the National Lawyers Guild: NLG is a human rights legal organization with a longstanding commitment to racial, economic, gender, disability, and queer liberation, incarcerated peoples’ rights, and prison and policing abolition. Our mission is to use law for the people; we unite lawyers, law students, legal workers, and jailhouse lawyers to function as an effective force in the service of the people by valuing human rights and the rights of ecosystems over property interests. This is achieved through the work of our members, and the NLG’s numerous organizational committees, caucuses, and projects, reflecting a wide spectrum of intersectional issues.
Location: Remote, with ability to occasionally commute to Ridgewood, Queens. Preference for candidates in the NYC metropolitan or tri-state area.
Salary and Benefits: The salary range is $70,000 – $80,000 for a 35-hour work week. Benefits include employer-paid medical and dental benefits; 401(k) plan with employer match; paid family leave, disability, and life insurance; three personal days, seven fixed holidays, four floating holidays, 18 sick days, and 20 regular vacation days annually. This is subject to revision during the contract bargaining process.
Qualifications (Required):
- Commitment to NLG principles (including, but not limited to, anti-racism, anti-imperialism, anti-capitalism, and anti-oppression);
- At least three years of operations experience in a professional or volunteer capacity;
- Familiarity with Adobe Acrobat, Quickbooks, and CRM systems;
- Ability to analyze and communicate financial data;
- Strong analytical skills and familiarity with GAAP;
- Strong attention to detail and ability to work on, and set priorities on, a variety of tasks and projects;
- Willingness to learn new systems;
- Availability during core office hours of 10:30 AM – 5:30 PM Eastern Time;
- Ability to conduct business in English.
Qualifications (Preferred):
- Operations experience in a smaller, mission-driven organization or group;
- Experience designing and implementing new organizational systems;
- Some development experience.
Operations Job Duties (65%):
- Draft and update office policies and procedures;
- Use data to drive improvements in systems and operations;
- Contract and negotiate with office vendors, service providers, and facilities;
- Maintain and organize official records and documents;
- Oversee the smooth operation of office facilities and assist with remote offices as needed;
- Collaborate with information technology vendors to ensure a fully functioning and secure technology infrastructure;
- Ensure office-wide compliance with health and safety laws and federal and state workplace regulations;
- Assist with travel and transportation logistics;
- Recruit and onboard new hires, in accordance with internal disability justice and accommodation principles;
- Maintain inventory of office equipment, supplies, printed materials, and merchandise;
- Provide operational and administrative support to staff as needed.
- Manage mailing, postal, and fulfillment operations for publications, programs, and fundraising
Finance Job Duties (45%):
- Lead participatory budgeting process;
- Ensure accurate and transparent tracking and reporting of income and expenses in collaboration with bookkeeper;
- Provide regular financial updates to staff and board;
- Bottomline annual financial audit or review;
- Receive, document, and route checks for NO and NLG Foundation;
- Process donations and other accounts receivable, including updating CiviCRM and sending invoices, receipts, and donor acknowledgements
Work Environment:
The work environment described here is representative of what an employee will encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with different abilities to perform the essential functions.
- Job largely takes place remotely, with virtual collaboration with other staff and members. Must be able to participate in online virtual communications including email and video conferencing used to facilitate virtual office culture and work sharing;
- Some work at off-site locations required (i.e., annual convention, National Executive Committee meetings) once it is safe to travel; the NLG aims for accessibility in any off-site location;
- This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, and webcams. Employees are regularly required to communicate effectively via computer, via phone, and in person.
How to Apply:
Candidates should submit a letter of interest, a resume, and three references in one PDF document to jobs@nlg.org, with “[Full Name] – Operations and Finance Director” as the subject of the email.
The letter of interest should describe your motivations for working with the NLG, any movement experience, details about your demonstrated experience in any of the job functions. Letters of interest will not be evaluated based on adherence to any specific cover letter conventions; we just want to know more about your personal, political, and/or professional interest in this role.
References will not be checked until the last round of interviews and candidates will be given an opportunity to notify their references in advance.
Applications will be evaluated on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Please apply early to ensure your application is considered.
The NLG National Office complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If an accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact jobs@nlg.org.
The NLG is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer. People of color, trans and LGBTQ people, women, disabled people, immigrants, formerly incarcerated people, and people who have lived in poverty are strongly encouraged to apply.
