Job Description

FAMILY LEGAL CARE

Mission: Family Legal Care’s mission is to increase access to justice in New York State Family Court. We combine legal guidance, easy-to-access technology, and compassionate support to help unrepresented parents and caregivers self-advocate on critical family law issues, while working on reform that improves the system for everyone.

THE OPPORTUNITY

Are you driven to ensure that underserved families have access to justice and committed to creating pathways for unrepresented litigants to navigate the complex Family Court system?

Do you have the entrepreneurial spirit and management skills to take a highly successful community-based legal support organization to the next level with confidence, optimism, and technological innovation?

Will you energetically enhance a fundraising strategy, growing diverse sources of income?

Will you celebrate and continue a strong, respectful, and collaborative culture?

Are you committed to being an advocate promoting reform of the Family Court system in New York State and beyond?

If so, we invite you to keep reading and think about the untapped opportunities for you to make a lasting difference in the lives of families.

ABOUT FAMILY LEGAL CARE

Family Legal Care was launched in 1996 when three lawyers had the simple but revolutionary idea of establishing “go-to” locations in New York City’s Family Courts that would provide on-site help and legal information for families struggling to make their way through the complex court system without a lawyer. Today, over half a million parents and caregivers come to Family Court in New York State each year, and over 80 percent come without a lawyer, leaving them to fend for themselves on high stakes issues of child support, custody and visitation, and domestic violence. This could mean a parent not having enough child support money to put food on the table or a safe place for their child to live.

Serving over 28,000 families a year, Family Legal Care combines legal guidance, easy-to-access technology, and compassionate support to help unrepresented parents and caregivers self-advocate on critical family law issues. Through its innovative, award-winning programs across New York State Family Courts and community, Family Legal Care promotes positive outcomes for families and children, and works on reform that improves the system for everyone.

Family Legal Care has an annual budget of approximately $4 million and a staff of 30. Family Legal Care maintains an office in downtown Manhattan, and the staff works both virtually and in office.

THE POSITION

The new CEO will serve as the leader, manager, principal fundraiser, and advocate for F amily Legal Care . Working with a committed B oard of D irectors and staff, the person in this position will maintain F amily Legal Care ’s current level of service excellence while simultaneously driving the organization forward.

The CEO is responsible for providing visionary leadership, strategic direction, and effective management to drive Family Legal Care’s mission, goals, and success. The CEO oversees all aspects of F amily Legal Care’ s programs, financial management, internal operations, and external relations. The CEO reports to the B oard of D irectors and collaborates closely with staff, volunteers, donors, Family Court professionals, government and elected officials, and community partners, to drive impact and sustainability.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Leadership

· Develop strategic priorities and long-term goals, serving as a thought partner with the Board.

· Drive innovative thinking to address challenges and opportunities.

· Cultivate expansion opportunities and create new pathways to justice for clients.

· Raise public awareness and increase interest in Family Legal Care, the Family Court system, and the challenges of our clients.

Organizational Management

· Recruit, retain, and develop a strong, talented, and diverse team.

· Ensure effective communication and coordination among team members to achieve organizational goals.

· Continue the positive and inclusive culture that values diversity, collaboration, and professional learning and growth.

· Evaluate program effectiveness using data and metrics to show outcomes and impact.

· Provide financial fiduciary oversight to ensure current stability, long term viability, and transparent and accurate financial reporting.

Board of Directors Relations

· Engage with the Board to continue to recruit and build a strong, effective, and diverse board.

· Inspire and support the Board in its fundraising responsibilities.

· Collaborate with the Board to ensure effective governance practices, including regular communications, reporting, and support for Board activities.

Fundraising and Stakeholder Engagement

· Serve as chief ambassador, fundraiser, and spokesperson.

· Diversify and expand donor base with a focus on increased major gifts, government funding, non-traditional revenue sources, and other new business initiatives.

· Expand relationships with the courts, community partners, corporate and law firm partners, government partners, and donors.

Advocacy and Community Relations

· Lead advocacy efforts to drive systemic reform in the family court system and in services for clients.

· Engage with policy makers, elected officials, and community leaders to influence relevant policies and initiatives.

· Implement community engagement strategies to foster positive relationships and collaborations.

IDEAL PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE AND INDIVIDUAL ATTRIBUTES

Professional experience

· A demonstrated commitment to improving the lives of marginalized and underserved populations.

· Ten or more years of senior executive leadership experience, with the nonprofit sector preferred.

· Exposure, experience and/or familiarity with Family Court, legal proceedings, and court systems.

· Knowledge of advocacy, public policy, and New York City/State government funding.

· Experience with client-facing services in a comparable social or legal service organization.

· Senior fundraising experience from both individual and institutional donors. A track record of raising resources from government agencies is a plus.

· Experience serving as a leader and fostering a culture where mutual respect, collegiality, and diversity are valued.

Individual attributes

· A passionate, compelling, optimistic, and forward-thinking advocate with the stature to energize others to action.

· A resourceful creative problem solver with an entrepreneurial spirit to bring to fruition new concepts, ideas, and strategies.

· High level of emotional intelligence to interface with diverse socioeconomic and multicultural communities.

· Proven capability to communicate clearly and passionately both in writing and verbally.

· Proven effectiveness in empowering staff and collaborating with a Board of Directors.

· Strong comfort level and proficiency with technology.

EDUCATION

Bachelor’s degree required; JD strongly preferred, other advanced degree a plus.

SALARY AND BENEFITS

The estimated annual salary (range) for the position of Chief Executive Officer is $215,000 . F amily Legal Care offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package.

Family Legal Care is an equal opportunity employer. F amily Legal Care does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, socioeconomic status, marital status, national or ethnic origin, age, religion or creed, disability, or political or sexual orientation. F amily Legal Care seeks a diverse pool of candidates as diversity is a celebrated value and strength at the organization.

Applications, including cover letters and resumes, and nominations should be sent to the attention of Paul Spivey at FLC@PhillipsOppenheim.com .

Family Legal Care

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