Chief Operating Officer (& General Counsel)

The Urban Justice Center (UJC) seeks a Chief Operating Officer (COO) who, if qualified, will also serve as General Counsel. The COO will work closely with the Executive Director and will be responsible for providing leadership in developing and executing operational strategy in support of UJC’s mission. The COO will oversee the day to day operations of UJC.

UJC provides a platform for dynamic advocates to fuel social change, leading the way for a just, fair, and decent society. Seven Projects and the Social Justice Accelerator make up the UJC community, each tackling a social justice issue through legal and holistic services and advocacy for the most vulnerable and marginalized members of our community. UJC defends individual rights, builds inclusive community, and fuels social change. UJC’s Operations provides a robust platform to support the thriving UJC community.

Summary of Role:

The COO will oversee all of UJC’s operations, including Human Resources, Information Technology, and Office Services, and will partner with the Controller to manage the Central Fiscal team. The COO further will partner with the Project Directors and our Social Justice Accelerator Projects to support and resolve their operational needs and challenges. The COO also will work closely with the Development team to strengthen its engagement across the agency and to help it achieve its strategic plan. They must be able to adapt to a continually evolving environment and be successful at building consensus to meet goals in a deadline- oriented workplace.

A qualified candidate may also serve as the General Counsel, providing legal counsel on all matters affecting UJC and the Projects and liaising with outside counsel, particularly labor counsel.

Qualifications:

• A minimum of a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent is required. JD preferred, with potential to serve as the General Counsel as well as COO.
• Strong experience with employee relations, talent management, and employment law. Experience overseeing benefits and payroll a plus.
• 7+ years of experience of progressive management or similar, preferable in non-profits.
• Proven management leadership skills, while taking a “hands on” implementation approach when needed.
• Mature, proactive, and pragmatic, with a proven track record of collaborating with senior management to successfully execute strategic initiatives and to meet their day-to-day management needs.
• Sound judgement with the ability to proactively anticipate industry and organizational needs.
• An effective communicator at all levels in the organization, with strong oral and written skills and a willingness to share information.
• Experience with legal agencies and/or unionized environments preferred.
• Must have a sense of humor, patience, and an outgoing personality.

Responsibilities:

Strategy

• Work directly with the ED to develop and oversee tools and systems to provide critical operational information and make actionable recommendations on both strategy and operations.
• Guide senior management to ensure best practices are being implemented to support and sustain organizational growth and legal compliance.
• Support the vision of the ED and ensure ongoing alignment between financial, operational, and programmatic objectives.
• Build a management culture based on teamwork, open communication, prudent risk taking, innovation, mentoring, and accountability.

Operational Management

• Provide guidance to Projects on a human resource strategy that meets the agency objectives for recruiting, talent and performance management, diversity, equity, and inclusion, training and development, compensation, and morale. Provide guidance on all employee relations and labor relations.
• Develop and execute strategy to support day-to-day operations of the agency. Ensure the effective, efficient, and secure operation of all processes and systems. Works in a consultative fashion with key individuals across the organization as an advisor of operating and technology policies and procedures that may improve their efficiency and effectiveness. Support drafting, reviewing, and implementing new policies and procedures.
• Collaborate with Project Directors (the senior leadership team) to ensure successful execution of their goals.
• Take a leadership role in labor relations within UJC and administering labor relations polices as needed.
• Serve as Fiduciary for 401(k) plan.
• Oversee UJC’s health and welfare benefits plans.

Team Management & Collaboration

• Promotes a culture of customer service excellence throughout all functional areas by mentoring and developing a positive team dynamic.
• Supervise, directly and indirectly, a central operations team of eleven. Six Project Directors and the Director of Development also have a “dotted line” reporting to the COO for day to day management. Regular engagement with and oversight of UJC’s staff of approximately 110, including attorneys, advocates/case handlers, social workers, and organizers.

Reports to:

This individual will report directly to the Executive Director. The COO will attend the UJC quarterly Board Meetings and lead the bi-weekly senior leadership team meetings. This is a full time, non-union, management position.

Compensation & Benefits:

Salary commensurate with experience, plus very generous UJC benefits including 401(k) match, exceptional medical and dental insurance, 20 paid vacation days, 5 paid personal days, 12 paid sick days, 11 paid holidays, and additional paid week off between Christmas and New Year’s Day.

To Apply:

Please send a cover letter detailing qualifications, a resume, a brief writing sample, and references via email to humanresources@urbanjustice.org. Please write “COO” in the subject heading. We will contact those applicants who we wish to interview. The deadline to apply is February 19, 2021.

The Urban Justice Center is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be afforded equal employment opportunities without discrimination because of race, religion/creed, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, military status, predisposing genetic characteristics, victim of domestic violence status, or marital status. People of color, LGBTIQ individuals, people with disabilities or chronic illnesses, migrants, and individuals who have personal experiences with poverty are encouraged to apply.