Chief Operating Officer

WHO WE ARE

Immigrant Defenders Law Center (“ImmDef”) is a next-generation, social justice law firm that provides high-quality representation, advocacy and legal services to immigrants in Southern California and beyond. ImmDef was founded on the belief that no immigrant should be forced to face an unjust immigration system alone. Learn more about us at www.immdef.org.  

THE ROLE

ImmDef seeks a Chief Operating Officer (“COO”) with a strong commitment to social justice and the skills and experience to help lead our mission-driven non-profit organization. As a key member of ImmDef’s executive leadership team reporting directly to the President and Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”), the COO will ensure that our administrative and operational functions run smoothly, enabling us to advance ImmDef’s mission, goals, and objectives.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Leadership:

• • Partner with members of ImmDef’s executive leadership team to provide visionary thought leadership and strategic guidance, ensuring that ImmDef continues to operate as a dynamic and forward-thinking organization.
  • Provide oversight of administrative functions that will empower ImmDef to work cohesively and effectively, turning our vision of fearlessly stepping towards justice into reality.
  • Provide oversight for several administrative departments, including providing direct supervision to the heads of the Human Resources (“HR”), Operations (“Ops”), and Information Technology (“IT”) departments.
  • Take on additional responsibilities as ImmDef evolves, adapting to new challenges and initiatives, and as assigned by the CEO to support the overall growth and success of the organization.

Administrative Management:

• • Oversee ImmDef’s day-to-day administrative operations, promoting interdepartmental communication and collaboration to improve efficiency and effectiveness.
  • Develop, implement, and monitor organizational policies to ensure compliance with all relevant non-profit regulations, labor laws, and industry standards.
  • Oversee risk management initiatives, including reviewing and managing liability insurance, addressing legal matters, and ensuring organizational readiness for audits.
  • Inspire the development of robust plans that elevate recruitment, performance management, benefits administration, compensation, and professional development initiatives.
  • Ensure IT systems are secure, efficient, and scalable, including providing leadership on technology strategy and infrastructure.
  • Develop procedures and initiatives designed to ensure seamless policy implementation across departments, accommodate growth and ensure that operations are programmatically and fiscally aligned.

Contract Compliance & Interdepartmental Collaboration:

• • Work closely with members of the Development and Finance departments to implement new grants and contracts. Work closely with leadership of Development and Finance departments to implement internal procedures and policies to ensure compliance with contractual obligations.
  • Work collaboratively with Director of Finance to ensure that ImmDef is maximizing resources and maintaining the organization in a positive financial position.

External Relations:

• • Participate in and facilitate funder, donor and other stakeholder meetings as assigned by the CEO.
  • Attend all Board of Director meetings and provide reports and updates on staff activities as well as all current work, project timelines, and organizational progress towards goals.
  • Negotiate and liaise with government agencies, professional associations, vendors and consultants relevant to operations.
  • Lead efforts to manage ImmDef’s employee union relations and contract negotiations.
  • Serve as a proxy for the CEO when necessary.
  • Minimum 10 years recent experience as a COO or in a related role at a similar sized non-profit, government agency, law firm or corporation.
  • A bachelor’s degree is required.
  • An advanced degree in non-profit management or a related field. JD, MBA, or MPA strongly preferred.
  • Expansive knowledge of and experience ensuring adherence to laws, regulations, compliance requirements, and nonprofit industry practices and standards.
  • Ideal candidate has experience working in non-profit legal services or in a law firm environment counseling non-profit organizations.
  • Knowledge of California labor laws and significant experience analyzing employer compliance and making risk assessments.
  • Demonstrated high-level proficiency in office software and technology, including familiarity with systems management, data security, and software solutions necessary to support organizational growth and efficiency.
  • Ability to execute organizational growth, adapt swiftly to changes, analyze complex situations, and make sound decisions under pressure.
  • Passionate about defending immigrant’s rights.
  • Starting salary range for this position is $160,000 - $180,000 DOE.
  • The COO will be based primarily in ImmDef’s Los Angeles office, but occasional travel to other Southern California offices will be required.

Schedule: 

• • As a member of ImmDef’s management team, you are expected to schedule your hours and on-site attendance to maximize your availability to your team, serving as a role model for effective work habits and professional conduct.
  • ImmDef’s business hours are Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., but our office reception hours are 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. As an exempt employee you will be expected to work a minimum of 35 hours per week, or 70 hours per pay period. You will be required to work from an ImmDef worksite during business hours at least 3-days per week, and 2-days per week you will have the flexibility work from home or take a day off in accordance with ImmDef’s Flexible Work Schedule policies, subject to supervisor approval. 

Professional Memberships:

• • ImmDef provides attorneys and other licensed professionals with $150 towards the professional association of their choice, and opportunities to attend conferences, trainings and seminars/webinars hosted internally and by partner organizations. 
  • ImmDef covers California Bar Dues (or equivalent in another jurisdiction) for all attorneys.

Holidays and Paid Time Off:

• • 13 paid holidays
  • 1-Week paid winter break between Christmas and New Years
  • 15 vacation days per year
  • 15 Sick Days per year

Health, Dental and Vision Insurance:

• • ImmDef offers health coverage on the first of the month following 30 days on the job.
  • We cover 100% of premiums for our base dental and vision plans for our staff members and 75% of base plan dental and vision premiums for their dependents. ImmDef also covers 89% of the base plan medical premiums for our staff and 69% of the base plan medical premiums for their dependents.

FSA and Dependent Care FSA: 

• • ImmDef offers FSA plans to help offset the costs of eligible health care expenses for you, your spouse, and your eligible dependents using pre-tax dollars.
  • We also offer Dependent Care FSA to pay for eligible dependent care services, such as preschool, summer day camp, before or after school programs, and child or adult daycare.
  • Upon meeting eligibility, we offer Parental Leave which includes six (6) weeks of ImmDef Paid Parental leave.

401(k) Retirement Savings Plan & Employer Matching: 

• • ImmDef staff are eligible to enroll in our 401(k) plans immediately upon hire, contributing pre-tax dollars towards their retirement goals.
  • After six months of employment, ImmDef will match 100% of contributions up to 3% of the employee’s salary.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness: 

• • As a 501(c)3, full-time ImmDef staff with qualifying student loans are eligible for the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness.

Parking and Public Transportation Stipends:

• • Staff members assigned to an office without free on-site parking are eligible to receive a parking stipend of up to $105 per month in actual accrued parking or transportation costs. 
  • Staff in all offices are eligible to receive a public transportation stipend of up to $100 per month in actual accrued public transportation costs. 
  • Funds are paid directly into a pre-tax Commuter Benefits Account.

Cell Phone Stipends:

• • ImmDef provides a $15 monthly cell phone stipend to staff members whose job duties require them to consistently work at sites outside of ImmDef offices, or travel between ImmDef worksites, and whose jobs require use of their personal cell phones or communications that cannot be accomplished with ImmDef-issued equipment.

Join Team ImmDef!

We encourage all qualified applicants to apply for a position fighting for our immigrant communities!

Immigrant Defenders Law Center is an Equal Employment Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer.

We value diversity in the workplace and strongly encourage applications from all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, gender, gender identity or expression, genetic information, sex, age, religion, or creed, national origin, ancestry, ethnic group identification, citizenship, marital or familial status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy (including childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical condition, reproductive health decision-making, military and veteran status, arrest or conviction record, or any other protected characteristic.