Executive Director

Executive Director Job Posting

About the Allen County Bar Association (“ACBA”) – Fort Wayne, Indiana

The ACBA has a long tradition of service to its members and the community. Organized in 1875 and incorporated in 1959, the ACBA has three purposes: to assist in the due administration of justice, to promote the continued education of lawyers and laypeople in the fields of law and legal procedure and to maintain the honor and integrity of the legal profession.

The ACBA is a voluntary membership organization with over 600 attorneys, judicial members and their professional staff. The Executive Director is the key management leader of the ACBA. The organization and its many programs and events provide a challenging management opportunity. The ACBA has a complex budget as the organization’s work includes members and community programs, events and services. The ACBA is a 501(c)(6) not-for‐profit organization and is governed by an Executive Board comprised of 12 voting members.

The ACBA is housed in a building owned by the organization in downtown Fort Wayne that includes meeting rooms, a large conference center room and staff offices. The ACBA has 16 sections that produce continuing legal education seminars as well as social and civic events. The sections provide members with extensive volunteer opportunities for community service and networking. The ACBA also has its own 501(c)(3) Foundation (the Allen County Bar Foundation or ACBF) that focuses on community education and helping citizens gain a better understanding of the judicial system.

Requirements and Duties

College Degree is required. Non profit management experience preferred.

Reporting directly to the Board President and the Executive Board.

Making recommendations to the Executive Board regarding preferred or alternative courses of action.

Assuring that the Executive Board is kept fully informed of the activities, operations and financial condition of the ACBA required for the efficient and orderly conduct of business.

Maintaining continuing communication with the Executive Board President so that necessary actions can be taken between meetings of the Executive Board Members.

Providing leadership to and overseeing the ACBA staff and volunteers to recruit new members, to retain existing members and to expand the current membership base and oversee activities related to maintaining effective member relations.

Motivating members to personally, professionally, and financially support the ACBA’s programs and events.

Overseeing the management of the committee meetings and related functions.

Maintaining an effective liaison and communications with President, Executive Board, sections and ACBA members.

Analyzing and interpreting the needs of members and recommending revisions in programs to improve service and assistance to make membership more valuable.

Working diligently to ensure that ACBA programs, services, and products assist members to become increasingly competitive and successful.

Overseeing and originating legal education seminars that are relevant and appealing to ACBA members.

Staff Management

Developing policies and guidelines for the supervision, management and administration of ACBA staff.

Exercising responsibility for hiring, supervising, reviewing and terminating ACBA staff.

Delegating ACBA activities to staff members to ensure that the office performs efficiently and that all employees work in compliance with the ACBA’s Employment Policies.

External Relationships

Maintaining meaningful relationships, communications and connections with local and state bar associations, ABA contacts, and utilizing those relationships to enhance the organization’s objectives

Promoting and fostering a positive, collegial and professional atmosphere amongst and between the staff and members of the ACBA

Serving as an ambassador of the ACBA at ACBA, affinity voluntary bar and public events

Developing and maintaining a good working relationship with the judiciary, court administration, local government and the Clerk of Court’s office.

Fiscal Management.

Responsible for the preparation and presentation of the annual budget as adopted by the ACBA Executive Board to ensure that all funds are appropriately safeguarded and managed.

Execute and review contracts on behalf of the ACBA.

Oversee the management of the ACBA Foundation and section accounts.

Maintain the ACBF’s investment accounts and recommend, when necessary, the reallocation of resources to the ACBF’s Executive Board to ensure the successful implementation of programs and activities.

Ensure timely filings of all ACBA and ACBA Foundation tax returns, including the 990 and 990‐T tax returns in coordination with the ACBA’s external CPA auditing/review firm.

Ensure timely distribution of annual membership dues statements and process for collection of payments.

Provide financial oversight by preparing, reviewing and presenting monthly financial reports and key performance indicator reports to the Executive Board.

Explore new opportunities for non‐dues revenue, revenue growth from existing programs and services and expense management.

Infrastructure

Oversee the development, enhancement and maintenance of the ACBA’s technology systems to support management functions and to increase the value provided to members; must be technology savvy.

Oversee the maintenance of the ACBA building for the implementation of programs and meetings and to preserve the value and efficiency of the building.

Ensure that the building and its contents are adequately maintained and insured.

Additional Duties

Attend the majority of ACBA events.

Oversee the Lawyer Referral and Information Service; stay abreast of changes in technology and ensure that this service stays relevant to its members and the public.

Work closely with and advise the President and President‐Elect on the prospective appointments of section members and their leadership.

Assist in raising funds for the ACBA through the Foundation via events and programs.

Investigate, negotiate and recommend employee benefits and administer employee benefits program.

Work with the President and President-Elect in securing speakers for membership luncheons. Plan and coordinate these membership meetings.

Write podium notes, presentations and scripts for the President and other officers for membership luncheons, community events, and meetings, as requested

Maintain and distribute official minutes of the Executive Board meetings, maintain custody and provide security of all official ACBA and ACBA Foundation documents, records and files, legal and historic documents, membership and mailing lists

Administer the ACBA's nomination and election process, prepare and disseminate appropriate materials, notices and ballots as well as the elections for the various sections.

Oversee and plan, when required, judicial retirement events.

Coordinate with Court Administration staff and the President to handle attendance, announcements and gifts for all investitures and judicial retirement events.

Oversee the maintenance of the master calendar of the ACBA.

Supervise, contribute to and monitor all social media postings and account management for the ACBA including section and committee pages and groups.

Ensure information is up to date on ACBA’s website with assistance from staff.

Work with staff to distribute electronic newsletters to the membership about upcoming events and news.

Serve as a liaison to the Indiana State Bar Association and other bar associations in Indiana.

Oversee and plan memorials and handle memorial resolutions of deceased ACBA members.

Preferred Skills Sets, Knowledge and Abilities

Leadership (possess and demonstrate leadership qualities including presence, vision, leading and managing staff and volunteers).

Membership development (has a track record of membership recruitment, retention, and growth).

Executive Board management (has experience of working collaboratively with a volunteer Executive Board).

Volunteer organization experience (appreciates the value of voluntary organization structure and operating techniques; proven ability to motivate and utilize staff and volunteers).

Management experience (has staff oversight and general management experience; strong human resource development skills).

Planning (has experience in developing and implementing operational, financial, and strategic plans).

Communication (is an effective communicator with internal and external constituents including members, Executive Board, government entities, staff, the media, and the public; has exceptional writing, speaking, and presentation skills).

Fiscal management (has demonstrated the ability to manage the financial affairs of an organization, i.e., develop revenue sources and control expenditures to preserve financial stability).

Entrepreneurial (has experience with perceiving and capitalizing on available business opportunities).

Marketing orientation (ability to market and promote the organization).

Desired Personal Characteristics

Leadership (is able to achieve results for the ACBA by giving priority to and listening to the needs of its members; proactive in leading the Executive Board and members while being deferential to them and the ACBA’s mission and goals; offers a vision and the means to get there; a good steward of resources; can manage, motivate, and challenge the Staff to serve and meet the needs of the membership).

Participative management style (involves members and staff in decision‐making; provides basic direction and allows staff to execute while being held accountable; a mentor for staff).

Collaborative (sees value in working with others to achieve positive results; demonstrates a willingness and ability to work with and through others;).

Conceptual (thinks beyond day‐to‐day realities; can see beyond the ACBA’s current service offerings and focus on long term operating goals.)

Strategic and creative thinker (a visionary thinker; can plan and bring “outside the box” ideas; able to see “the big picture” beyond daily operations and lead an organization toward strategic goals).

Genuine and personable (relates well to people; builds relationships; authentic; transparent; possesses warmth and personal humor).

Energetic and Dedicated (enthusiastic; strong personal work ethic; self‐starter with a “roll up the sleeves” attitude; displays a passion for “getting the job done”).

Executive Presence (credible; polished in demeanor and appearance; self‐confident; will enjoy respect of Executive Board, members, and staff).

Integrity (possesses unimpeachable moral character and high ethics).

Visibility (highly visible to staff, members, and other key constituents).

Organizational skills (results oriented; able to juggle multiple projects at one time; meets established goals and objectives).

Challenges and Opportunities

The projected first year accomplishments for the new Executive Director of the ACBA include:

Establish a presence as Executive Director and become completely familiar with all operating aspects of the organization including staff, finances, programs, and Executive Board members.

Initiate formal and informal introductions and connections with the ACBA membership through various communications and in‐person gatherings and meetings to develop strong relationships with key constituencies.

In concert with the Executive Board and staff, evaluate the strategic direction of and future opportunities for the ACBA through a review of current programs and personnel; develop strategic, operational, and budgetary plans.

Build and maintain collaborative relationships with other voluntary bars and professional associations to secure the best and most cost-effective services and programs for members.

Evaluate and develop responses to important organizational challenges and operational goals such as:

-Increase the products and services available to the ACBA members.

-Increase the percentage of Northeast Indiana lawyers who belong to the ACBA.

-Assure sustained financial stability through an increase in dues‐paying member base, along with dues and non‐dues income enhancements.

For more information about the ACBA, we invite you to visit:

https://www.allencountybar.org/

Salary and Benefits

The compensation package includes fourteen federal holidays, generous PTO, 401(k) or Roth IRA with 3% employer match. Salary will be offered commensurate with qualifications and experience and will range from $50,000 to $75,000.

Application Instructions

Interested applicants should email a cover letter expressing your interest in this position along with your resume/CV and the name, title, street address, telephone number and email address of three (3) non‐family member, professional references who may speak to your qualifications and experience. Please include your salary requirements. Please direct this information and any questions to the ACBA Executive Director Search Committee at: acba@allencountybar.org or 924 South Calhoun Street, Fort Wayne IN 46802.

Application Deadline - March 28, 2025

The ACBA is an equal opportunity employer. We prohibit unlawful discrimination based on age, ancestry, color, gender identity, HIV status, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, military status, or any other non-job-related factor or consideration made unlawful by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to every aspect of employment. The ACBA selects volunteers and provides program services to clients and members according to the same equality standards as those used for employment. The ACBA complies with all applicable laws providing equal employment opportunities.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $50,000.00 - $75,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Flexible schedule
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

Ability to Relocate:

• Fort Wayne, IN 46802: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $50,000 - $75,000