Executive Director

Pro Bono Partnership provides business and transactional legal services to nonprofit organizations serving the disadvantaged or enhancing the quality of life in neighborhoods in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. Substantially leveraging the impact of its in-house legal staff, the Partnership annually recruits and mobilizes hundreds of attorneys from major corporations and law firms to donate their time and expertise on behalf of its nonprofit clients, enhancing their ability to improve conditions in their communities. Since its founding in 1997, the Partnership has assisted more than 4,000 nonprofit organizations on thousands of legal matters, enabling them to more effectively feed the hungry, house the homeless, promote the arts, protect the environment and provide essential programs to children, immigrants, the elderly, the disabled and the unemployed.

The Position

The Executive Director will advance Pro Bono Partnership’s mission to provide free business and transactional legal services to nonprofit organizations serving the disadvantaged or enhancing the quality of life in neighborhoods in Connecticut, New Jersey, and New York.

The Role

The Executive Director role is both a broad and vital one, which carries the responsibility for the day-to-day management of Pro Bono Partnership and for creating a strategic vision for the organization which will ensure a robust future. The Executive Director will be a polished professional, preferably with experience in practicing pro bono law, who can passionately express the mission and purpose of PBP to all key stakeholders including the legal community, the non-profit community, current and potential donors and supporters, members of the board of directors and employees.

Detailed responsibilities

Administration: The Executive Director provides overall leadership for strategy, operations, financial oversight and fundraising. The Executive Director will focus on these target areas:

• Assure that PBP has a long-range strategy to achieve its mission and remain financially sound.
• Work with leadership in developing and implementing policy, program, organizational, and financial plans with the Board and staff.
• Engage the Board of Directors in the work of and vision for PBP, including setting priorities and developing strategies to enhance its ability to carry out its mission.
• Oversee staff in planning, implementing, and evaluating programs, grants, events, and activities.
• Ensure compliance with Federal, State, and local regulations.
• Maintain a working knowledge of significant developments and trends in the field of not-for-profit and tax-exempt organizations.
• Oversee the Legal programs.

Board Development: The Executive Director will work closely with the Nominating Committee, Chair of the Board of Directors and the Board at large, to recruit, acclimate, and maintain a strong, diverse Board of Directors. The Executive Director also promotes and supports the Board’s engagement in critical thinking, strategic planning, resource/financial development, membership development and overall organizational wellness.

Fiscal Management. Pro Bono Partnership’s Executive Director ensures that the organization is fiscally sound, works with staff and the Board of Directors to prepare Pro Bono Partnership’s budgets, oversees the investments and accounts and cash flow, ensures timely submission of all federal and state filings, and makes financial and operational decisions based on plans and policies developed in collaboration with the Board.

Fundraising and Marketing. The Executive Director helps develop and sustain a diverse funding base capitalizing on existing events, such as the annual gala, and exploring other avenues of fund development. Emphasis will be on corporate/law firm and foundation giving and developing an individual donor base. The ideal candidate will serve as the face of the organization and raise the visibility of the organization through the development and implementation of a sustainable marketing campaign geared to Pro Bono Partnership’s various constituencies and the public. The Executive Director solicits signature sponsors for Pro Bono Partnership’s annual gala in conjunction with Development staff and the Board of Directors.

Human Resources Management. The Executive Director recruits, manages, motivates and empowers a strong staff, and develops and implements appropriate human resource policies and procedures, including training, career development, hiring and dismissals, succession planning, and performance management.

The Person

This challenging role demands an aspirational and well-grounded individual with real energy, an entrepreneurial mind-set, strong communication skills and knowledge of the inner workings of in-house corporate counsel, particularly regarding their policies and procedures for pro bono work. Prior experience leading a nonprofit organization will be considered advantageous; a law degree is required.

QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPETENCIES

Pro Bono Partnership’s Executive Director must possess:

• Significant and proven leadership and management skills developed through several years in senior management positions.
• The ability to foster a healthy organizational culture, to encourage teamwork and collaboration; strong interpersonal and communication skills that include the ability to inspire and motivate; effective at conflict management.
• Success at fund development, including knowledge of and success in attracting foundation and corporate grants, event sponsors, and to develop relationships with individual donors.
• Experience recruiting, developing, and working with and developing an effective Board of Directors.
• Experience in the practice of law. A tax-exempt law background or managing a pro bono program a plus.
• Understanding of not-for-profits and experience working with boards of directors and volunteers.
• Experience managing budgets and able to interpret financial reports.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral; strong presentation skills.
• Multi-cultural sensitivity.
• High energy, an entrepreneurial spirit, and vision.
• Ability to learn and use new technologies.

EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE

Law degree required, nonprofit leadership experience strongly desired.

COMPENSATION

$170,000-200,000, depending on experience. Excellent benefits include medical, dental and voluntary benefits, paid vacation, paid holidays, sick and personal days, and 403(b) plan.

TO APPLY

Please send your resume and a thoughtful cover letter outlining how your skills and experience meet the qualifications of the position. Applications may be submitted via email to employment@probonopartner.org with “Executive Director Search” in the subject line. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

Pro Bono Partnership is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on protected characteristics as required under applicable law

Excellent benefits include medical, dental and voluntary benefits, paid vacation, paid holidays, sick and personal days, and 403(b) plan.