Description

ABOUT EQUAL JUSTICE WORKS

Equal Justice Works is the nation’s largest facilitator of opportunities in public interest law. We achieve this through creating Fellowship programs for lawyers and community organizers, hosting the largest national public interest law career fair, advocating for Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and supporting law students pursuing public interest law careers.

We bring together an extensive community of law schools, law students, lawyers, community organizers, legal services organizations, and supporters to promote a lifelong commitment to public service and equal justice. Following their Fellowships, more than 85% of our Fellows remain in public service positions, continuing to pursue equal justice for under-resourced communities across the country.

POSITION OVERVIEW
The Senior Director of Fellowships works closely with the Vice President of Fellowships and plays a critical role in executing the organization’s strategic framework, including identifying and securing financial support. As a unit leader and member of the cross-functional leadership team, the Senior Director advises the Vice President and oversees activities advancing the work of the fellowship programs, building on a successful 40-year organizational legacy and reputational excellence, while putting forward fresh ideas and approaches. The Senior Director ensures that the unit fulfills its obligations program-wide. The position holder will also be adept at thinking strategically, supervising an array of complex projects, as well as identifying and mitigating risks attendant to the work to ensure a reliably consistent and high standard of satisfaction with Equal Justice Works by our stakeholders. 

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES

• Maintain an eye on continuous improvement of program operations to reduce administrative burden and improve unit operational cohesion.  
• Develop and maintain program performance indicators and operating procedures that instill efficiency and excellent data practices and reporting that inform business intelligence and management decision-making.  
• Keep a keen overview of internal and external trends, opportunities, and risks of significance to inform and advise Vice President.  
• Assist Vice President, unit directors, and team in establishing goals aligned to the strategic vision, setting annual unit budgets, and developing operational plans to ensure cohesion. Support Vice President in overall unit resource management and goal achievement.  
• Assist Vice President with supporting change management efforts, including but not limited to transition management; collaborative implementation and communication of major initiatives; risk assessment; and culture change.
• Effectively communicate and engage with internal and external stakeholders to promote the program’s success: such as potential sponsors and donors, legal aid organizations, and others, where appropriate.
• Collaborate with the Senior Vice President of Institutional Advancement to strategize and implement funding strategies to support fellowship programs.  
• Oversee development and execution of annual Leadership Development Training.   
• Other duties as assigned. 

Qualifications

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE  

• JD degree with at least ten years of senior staff and project management experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience

• A minimum of seven years’ experience working as a lawyer in a nonprofit organization, General Counsel’s office, law firm, or governmental agency, with preference for prior law firm experience

• Demonstrated successful fundraising experience, including foundation grants, major donors, and corporate contributions

• Knowledge and experience in financial management, including full cycle budget processes

• Experience in outcomes-based performance management and program evaluation

• Agile with an ability to think creatively, strategically, and analytically with a multilevel perspective, from detailed, ground level insights to high level strategic overviews

• Skilled in integrating diverse perspectives to make informed decisions or recommend comprehensive solution(s) that may address immediate needs and long-term objectives

• Skilled communicator with an ability to navigate complex situations with diplomacy and tact

• Positive attitude with an ability to inspire and motivate team, skilled in developing talent and providing opportunities for growth

• Adept at building a culture of innovation, open communication, adaptability, and resilience, with a good sense of humor and grace

• Proven ability to effectively manage multiple projects and priorities to achieve results

• High degree of self-motivation and determination balanced with poise and political savvy

• Strong understanding of and passion for social justice and legal justice issues

• Commitment to upholding Equal Justice Works’ mission, vision, values, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) principles 

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

The salary range for the Senior Director, Fellowships position is $144,100-$179,300, based on experience. EJW offers a comprehensive suite of benefits designed to support your total health and wellbeing, including unlimited PTO (Paid Time Off); additional paid holiday leave the week between Christmas and the New Year; sixteen weeks of paid parental leave for those with EJW for six months or more; excellent medical and dental insurance with Equal Justice Works paying 100% for employee premiums and 75% for dependent premiums; student loan repayment assistance; a $1000 professional development stipend per year; and access to free self-paced training programs. 

LOCATION

Daily activities are conducted in a typical office environment. EJW adheres to a hybrid work model whereby employees who live within a reasonable commuting distance within the Washington, DC metropolitan area must be in person in-office two times per week. 

TRAVEL

Regular travel is expected to be 20-25%.

BACKGROUND AND REFERENCE CHECKS

Finalists for this position must satisfactorily complete a pre-employment background and reference check as a condition of employment.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Equal Justice Works is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. This employee is regularly required to sit, stand, bend, stretch and kneel for extended periods of time; frequently required to talk, hear, and use repetitive hand motions; and should possess the ability to push, pull, and lift to thirty pounds unassisted.

As a condition of this position, which is required to work at the Equal Justice Works office, and as a part of our continued efforts to maintain a safe workplace for employees and visitors, EJW is requiring all employees that work in the EJW office to receive an FDA-authorized and/or approved COVID-19 vaccination.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Equal Justice Works is committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspective, and skills and encourage people of diverse ages, sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions, disabilities, religions, races, ethnicities, socioeconomic statuses, work, and life experiences to apply.

Salary : $144,100 - $179,300