About the Interim Executive Director
Are you a National Lawyers Guild member with strong managerial and interpersonal skills, and a commitment to guiding the Guild toward a strong future? The National Lawyers Guild (NLG / Guild) National Office seeks a dynamic Interim Executive Director (Interim ED) for a two-year term. We are looking for someone who already knows the NLG well. The Interim ED will take the helm of the National Office to help the board and staff address systems and capacity issues, build relationships, develop and support staff, and lead the organization into its next chapter, ultimately laying the groundwork for a permanent leader’s success. Successful candidates will be collaborative; capable of building and supporting an engaged staff, board, and membership; and skilled at developing strong relationships. Specific expertise in law and social justice movements are a plus.
The Interim ED will work closely with the Executive Council (EC), the larger NLG board (National Executive Committee / NEC), and National Office staff to help clarify the organization’s vision and future leadership needs, and to mentor the new ED once hired. On a day to day basis, the Interim ED is responsible for the fiscal, administrative, and legal oversight of the NLG National Office (NO) in accordance with its mission, values, and governing documents.
About the National Lawyers Guild
The National Lawyers Guild is the nation’s oldest and largest progressive bar association and was the first one in the US to be racially integrated. The Guild’s mission is to use law for the people, uniting lawyers, law students, legal workers, and jailhouse lawyers to function as an effective force, valuing human rights and the rights of ecosystems over property interests, in support of peoples’ struggles for liberation.
This is achieved through the work of our staff, members, and the Guild’s numerous organizational committees, caucuses, and projects, reflecting a wide spectrum of interrelated issues. Guild members effectively network and hone their legal skills in order to help create change at the local, regional, national, and international levels. The NLG is a member-supported and member-funded organization. The Guild is committed to working in partnership with allies and in coalition with broader social justice movements, and we strive to be accountable to grassroots movement leaders.
Key Responsibilities
- BOARD DEVELOPMENT (25%): Cultivate, develop, and nurture the NEC into a strong board and an effective force for good governance. Co-lead bi-weekly EC meetings and quarterly NEC meetings; Work with NEC to meet urgent organizational oversight needs; Communicate NO concerns and updates; Participate in priority board level committees.
- MEMBERSHIP DEVELOPMENT & SUPPORT (25%): Guide strategic membership engagement projects and chapter development, working closely with the Director of Membership. Collaborate with staff, EC and consultants to establish processes to resolve issues and conflicts among members, chapters, and committees, using best practices that reflect the principles of the Guild.
- STAFF DEVELOPMENT & MANAGEMENT (20%): Ensure that the organization is in a good position to welcome a permanent leader. Provide leadership and oversight of National Office staff; Nurture and foster staff capacity, growth, and development to best serve the Guild’s programs and mission; Supervise consultants and full-time staff working on communications, membership, research and educational programming, operations, and mass defense (protest support).
- STRATEGIC PLANNING (10%): Work with the National Executive Committee, staff, and key NLG leaders to develop and implement strategic plans at various levels of the organization. Plan the direction and leadership of key programs, relationships, and strategic partnerships to amplify the mission, vision, and impact of the organization.
- FINANCIAL PLANNING & MANAGEMENT (10%): Support a business model that produces exceptional mission impact and sustained financial health. Work with the Treasurer, Finance Committee, and operations staff to develop and implement financial policies and oversee financial management of the organization.
- FUNDRAISING & DEVELOPMENT (10%): Create the conditions for fundraising success within the organization. Work with staff to cultivate relationships with members and donors and solicit major donors to increase financial support; Represent the organization at fundraising and public relations events; Serve on the board of the NLG Foundation, the 501(c)3 arm of the Guild; Write and submit grant applications and reports for foundation funding.
Desired Qualifications
- Five (5) or more years of nonprofit or organizational management and leadership experience;
- Demonstrated success leading and stewarding organizations or programs through periods of change or growth; comfort with multi-tasking, delegating, and prioritizing among competing priorities.
- Experience leading or collaborating with a Board of Directors.
- Proven ability to nurture and sustain relationships with mission-aligned stakeholders.
- Superb written and oral communication skills, with experience communicating diplomatically, clearly, concisely, and effectively one-on-one and in large groups.
- A collaborative leadership style that fosters both effective teamwork and shared accountability. Experience managing virtual teams is a plus.
- Strong relationship-building and conflict resolution skills and the ability to authentically listen, engender trust, and act with intentionality.
Required Qualification
- An unwavering commitment to Guild principles (including, but not limited to, anti-racism, anti-imperialism, anti-capitalism, and anti-oppression), with an ability to serve as an exemplar for the organization’s values and to foster an inclusive and respectful workplace.
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.
- This position is full-time and exempt. This position requires availability during core office hours of 10:30am – 5:30pm Eastern Time. Work on evenings and weekends as needed.
- Must be able to conduct business in English; however, fluency in languages other than English is a plus.
- Some work at off-site locations required (i.e., annual convention, National Executive Committee meetings, staff retreats) 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.
- Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States.
Salary and Benefits
The salary range is $100,000 – $110,000. Desired start date is Spring 2023. 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.
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] – Interim ED” as the subject of the email.
The letter of interest should describe your motivations for working with the NLG, any relevant leadership and/or 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.
We are anticipating two rounds of interviews for this role, taking place in the month of March. There is a possibility that the process extends into three rounds.
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.
