EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR for Neighborhood Legal Services (NLS)

Neighborhood Legal Services (NLS) seeks a respected, experienced, innovative and dynamic leader who is passionate about and has a demonstrated commitment to promoting social justice and advocacy for low-income people. The new Executive Director will work closely with a dedicated and hard-working Board of Directors, an outstanding, creative and committed staff, and a regional partner legal services program, as well as a broader community of advocates, private lawyers, client groups, social service organizations and donors. The Executive Director is the primary spokesperson for NLS, oversees its legal, legislative advocacy and administrative staff, and is responsible for strategic planning, fundraising, and managing daily operations.

NLS is an innovative high quality non-profit legal services organization with offices in Lynn and Lawrence, Massachusetts. Incorporated in 1967, NLS has a long history of providing free civil legal assistance to the low-income and elderly residents of Essex County. NLS is a founder of the new Legal Aid Alliance of Northeastern Massachusetts, which also serves North Middlesex County. NLS is a national leader in community lawyering. NLS receives no LSC funding.

NLS' staff of thirty provides assistance with legal issues involving eviction defense, housing discrimination, housing conditions, access to public assistance, employment rights, elder law, domestic violence and family law, economic development, housing preservation, and access to healthcare. NLS also works with low income community groups and individuals to create housing and job opportunities in our communities. We assist elders facing all of these problems and, in addition, help them with issues of financial exploitation, consumer fraud, and coping with costs and other issues related to nursing homes. We also have special programs to assist individuals with HIV and AIDS, provide immigration assistance to immigrant victims of domestic abuse, and help clients with consumer debt issues. Last year, NLS and its panels of volunteer private attorneys provided assistance to more than 3500 households.

Roles and Responsibilities:

• Provide the vision, leadership, and management required to ensure that NLS implements its strategic plans by professional management of the program's legal work, including oversight and supervision of the quality and quantity of legal work performed by the staff.
• Provide advice to the Board of Directors on the establishment, development and implementation of policy and perform such other duties as may be reasonably required by the Board of Directors.
• Co-lead the regional Legal Aid Alliance of Northeastern Massachusetts, in which NLS is a partner with Merrimack Valley - North Shore Legal Services and the Children's Law Center of Massachusetts.
• Manage human resources, including recruitment, hiring, and salary recommendations and arrange for training, evaluation and supervision of all staff.
• Manage fiscal operations, including overall responsibility for all budgets and audits, records of property and accounts, including general ledger, payroll register, accounts payable, receivables, fixed assets, bank accounts and other funds.
• Maintain current grants – entitlement-based as well as other grants; identify new grant possibilities appropriate to support the work and mission of NLS; oversee campaigns, events, and recruitment of financial supporters.
• Provide information to the board and staff about the activities of the Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation, state and local bar associations and similar groups affecting the work of NLS.
• Maintain NLS' positive relationships with courts, government offices, social service agencies, diverse community groups, bar associations, private attorneys, client groups and funding sources.
• Act as spokesperson for the NLS program.
• Develop a public relations campaign.
• Supervise NLS information management systems.
• Coordinate organizational development, including the proposal and implementation of work plans, budgets, and program policies, under the guidance of the Board of Directors.

Qualifications:

• At least 10 years legal experience and admission to practice in Massachusetts. If admitted in another jurisdiction, agreement to take timely action to become admitted in Massachusetts.
• Experience in impact civil litigation.
• Demonstrated successful experience in grant development, management and fundraising.
• Skilled in personnel and financial management, program planning, development and administration.
• Preference shall be given to candidates with at least 3 years of legal services management experience or comparable experience with another legal advocacy organization serving the low-income population.

Compensation:

Competitive, based on experience. Excellent benefits.

Application:

Applications should include a cover letter expressing in detail why the candidate is interested in the position of Executive Director of NLS as well as what the candidate believes he/she can contribute to the future of the organization and its client community, a resume and names and contact information for three references.

Applications including an email address should be received by Professor Kathleen Hirbour, Chair, NLS Search Committee, North Shore Community College, 1 Ferncroft Road, Danvers, MA 01923, by June 2, 2006. Applications by email should be sent to khirbour@northshore.edu

Neighborhood Legal Services is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.

Women, persons of color and disabled persons are encouraged to apply.