Executive Director - National Lawyers Guild

POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

National Lawyers Guild (NLG) National Office

Position Remote; Office Located in New York, NY

About the Executive Director Position

The National Lawyers Guild (NLG / Guild) National Office is seeking a dynamic Executive Director (ED), preferably with prior experience with the NLG. The NLG ED will take the helm of the National Office to help the board and staff address systems and capacity, build relationships, fundraise, and provide political leadership. Successful candidates will be collaborative; capable of building and supporting an engaged staff, board, and membership; and skilled at raising funds and developing strong relationships. Specific expertise in law and social justice movements are a plus.

The NLG 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, finances, and leadership needs. On a day to day basis, the 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 U.S. 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

• FUNDRAISING & DEVELOPMENT (25%): Create the conditions for fundraising success within the organization. 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 and other funding.
• POLITICAL LEADERSHIP (20%): Work with the National Executive Committee, staff, and key NLG leaders to identify and implement political priorities 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; Attend coalition meetings on behalf of NLG National.
• BOARD DEVELOPMENT (20%): 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; Oversee annual governance process and national elections.
• STAFF DEVELOPMENT & SUPERVISION (20%): Support NLG National Office union staff. 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 finance, and mass defense (protest support).
• FINANCIAL PLANNING & MANAGEMENT (15%): 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, including supporting the annual collective budgeting process, and long term asset management. Work with operations staff and board to maintain best practices for a healthy 501c4 non-profit, including risk-reduction, litigation tracking, compliance, and HR.

Desired Qualifications

• Five (5) or more years of nonprofit or organizational management and leadership experience. Experience with union contracts is a plus.
• Proven track record of successful development and fundraising work.
• 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.
• Law degree and/or expertise in legal organizing for social movements.

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, board meetings, staff retreats); 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 2026. 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] - NLG 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 reviewed starting April 15, 2026. To ensure your application is considered in the first round of interviews, please apply by that date. We are anticipating two rounds of interviews for the role, taking place in the month of May. There is a possibility that the process extends into three rounds. The position will begin no earlier than June 1, 2026.

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.

Learn more about the NLG at nlg.org

Salary and Benefits

The salary range is $100,000 - $110,000. Desired start date is Spring 2026. 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.

Work Environment

Must be able to conduct business in English; however, fluency in languages other than English is a plus.