Executive Director

Upper Seven Law is a Montana-based nonprofit law firm dedicated to holding the powerful accountable.

We believe that creativity and innovation in law are essential to advancing social justice and public interest objectives. This firm takes smart risks and invests the time necessary to build foundations for long-term accountability work.

Position: Executive Director

Upper Seven Law seeks a creative and experienced leader to serve as our incoming Executive Director. In this role, you will serve as strategist, fundraiser, and the public face of Upper Seven Law. You will serve as the organization’s chief executive while collaborating with the Operations and Litigation Directors to lead our team and ensure the organization's financial sustainability and continued impact.

Ideal candidates have significant litigation experience, strong legal writing skills, experience in nonprofit fundraising and development, and the ability to cultivate strategic partnerships with donors, funders, tribal nations, and community organizations. A generalist or constitutional background is particularly welcome but not required. Essential qualities include exceptional fundraising ability, strong collaborative leadership skills, the ability to think strategically about organizational growth, and excellent communication skills for engaging diverse stakeholders.

The position is based in Helena, Montana, and reports to the Board of Directors. The Executive Team works in partnership to achieve the organization’s mission, with each member bringing specialized expertise, toward the common goals laid out in our culture documents, handbook, and strategic plan. While the Executive Director holds ultimate decision-making authority, success in this role depends on effective collaboration and partnership with the existing Executive Team.

Responsibilities & Opportunities

Fundraising & Development:

• Serve as the primary fundraiser and lead contact for major national foundations and institutional funders
• Build, manage, and grow relationships with major donors and individual contributors to maintain and expand the annual operating budget
• Develop and execute strategic fundraising plans, including securing multi-year funding commitments
• Oversee grant application logistics and reporting in coordination with the Director of Philanthropy
• Cultivate new funding sources and diversify revenue streams
• Organize targeted events for relationship-building with potential funders and stakeholders

Legal Strategy & Organizational Leadership:

• Provide strategic oversight for active litigation and legal matters in partnership with the Litigation Director
• Maintain high-level relationships with co-counsel, legal partners, and tribal nations
• Ensure the firm continues to deliver high-quality legal work that aligns with our mission of holding the powerful accountable
• Collaborate with the Executive Team to ensure our litigation work aligns with the organizational mission, serves the public interest, and meets community needs

External Communications & Stakeholder Relations:

• Oversee the Montana Constitution Roadshow, ensuring its continued success and strategic evolution
• Act as the final reviewer for all public-facing communications and social media content
• Represent the organization in the media and at public-facing events
• Serve as the public face of Upper Seven Law to diverse audiences including the public, partners, funders, and major donors
• Cultivate strategic partnerships with other organizations, community groups, and legal experts

Organizational Culture:

• Foster our organizational culture grounded in Upper Seven Law's core principles: mission-driven decision-making, collaborative culture, candor with kindness, directness, excellence and accuracy, and balanced work ethic
• Make final decisions with clarity after open input, ensuring the team moves together once direction is set
• Provide guidance and support to ensure the highest quality work and professional growth across the organization

Strategic Planning & Governance:

• Execute and refine the organization's strategic plan in collaboration with the Board of Directors and leadership team
• Ensure operational efficiency and organizational capacity to support sustained growth
• Maintain financial health including adequate operating reserves
• Provide timely and accurate reporting to the Board of Directors
• Oversee compliance with all legal, regulatory, and policy requirements

Experience & Qualifications:

• JD from an accredited law school; active and in good standing membership with the Montana bar or the ability to be admitted in Montana
• Exceptional writing ability and strong public speaking skills
• Significant litigation experience, 5-10 years, with a demonstrated track record of effective advocacy in court proceedings
• Proven fundraising success, including the ability to secure major grants and cultivate individual donor relationships
• Excellent collaborative leadership abilities, including experience working in partnership with other leaders and managing teams in a nonprofit or legal environment
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex legal and organizational concepts to diverse audiences
• Entrepreneurial mindset with a passion for social justice and accountability
• Strategic thinking, versatility while balancing multiple priorities including fundraising, litigation oversight, program management, and organizational leadership

Preferred:

• Established relationships with foundations and major donors
• Track record of building and sustaining organizational culture through collaborative leadership
• Experience with tribal law or partnerships with tribal nations
• Background in state constitutional law or impact litigation

Success Metrics (Year One)

Fundraising & Financial Health:

• Secure at least two multi-year funding commitments
• Grow individual giving revenue
• Submit all grant reports on time
• Maintain adequate operating reserves

Relationships:

• Meet top donors, funders, and key partners within 120 days
• Establish credibility and trust with key stakeholders

Programs & Legal:

• Familiar with all ongoing casework
• Zero missed court or grant deadlines
• Ensure smooth organizational transitions
• Deliver monthly Montana Constitution Roadshow programming

People & Culture:

• Visibly model Upper Seven Law's culture and communication principles
• Build strong working partnerships with Operations Director and Litigation Director
• Foster team cohesion and accountability

Governance:

• Provide timely and accurate reporting to the Board
• Make clear decisions using a collaborative process
• Maintain transparent communication with Board leadership

Logistics:

• Location: Helena, MT
• Compensation: Competitive salary commensurate with experience $140,000-$155,000, plus health benefits including health insurance, short-term and long-term disability insurance, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), and 3% retirement match.
• Generous paid time off including vacation leave, sick leave, federal holidays, and quarterly days off
• Timeline: Priority Deadline: May 1, 2026
• Upper Seven Law is an equal opportunity employer. We recognize the value and strength of a diverse staff and prioritize diversity, kindness, and competency.
• Upper Seven Law is committed to mentorship, professional growth, and providing opportunities for advancement and skill development.

Application Instructions

Please submit your application materials as a single document, including your resume, cover letter, writing sample, law school transcript, and contact information for three references. If applicable, include hyperlinks to published writing. In your cover email, let us know how you became aware of this position.

Submit by email to contact@uppersevenlaw.com with "[Your Last Name] – Executive Director application" in the subject line.

Applications will be considered on a rolling basis. No unscheduled phone calls, please.

Cover Letter Directions

In your cover letter, please address the following:

1. Your fundraising experience and approach to building donor relationships
2. Your litigation background and philosophy on public interest law
3. How you would approach the first 90 days in this role
4. Why Upper Seven Law's mission and culture resonate with you

Health benefits: Include health insurance, short-term and long-term disability insurance, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), and 3% retirement match.

Generous paid time off including vacation leave, sick leave, federal holidays, and quarterly days off