Executive Director

Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights of the San Francisco Bay Area (“LCCRSF”) is pleased to invite nominations and applications for its next Executive Director. As one of the oldest civil rights institutions on the West Coast, LCCRSF works to dismantle systems of oppression and racism and to build an equitable and just society. Formed in 1968 to bridge the legal community and the Civil Rights Movement, we’re known for advancing the rights of people of color, immigrants, refugees, and low-income individuals. We also invest in legal fellows and support a network of over 1,000 active pro bono attorneys who work in solidarity with us.

The Executive Director (ED)--with the support of a high impact staff, engaged Board of Directors, and a dynamic network of skilled pro bono legal professionals and community partners--works on many of the most compelling civil rights issues of our time, with issues and campaigns squarely focused on historically marginalized communities. LCCRSF’s work is expansive and includes but is not limited to decriminalizing poverty, disrupting and dismantling institutionalized racism in our criminal justice system, advancing just immigration policies, and providing equitable educational access to students, regardless of their immigration status or the community they are from. LCCRSF works in proximity and partnership with community and movement leaders to identify the most urgent issues and conceive solutions, while leveraging a broad legal network to advocate on behalf of clients. LCCRSF addresses and mitigates harm and builds systems and structures designed to sustain lasting change. LCCRSF’s program model uses litigation, policy, media, research advocacy, and movement building to meet the ever-evolving needs of the moment across three issue areas: Economic Justice, Racial Justice, and Immigrant Justice.

While our external impact and results are critical, so are our staff. The incoming ED will continue to support and drive efforts that make the work sustainable, reflect the care that LCCRSF staff has for each other and their communities, and strategically prioritize rest so that staff can continue to be fierce in the face of power.

The Executive Director will be an experienced and progressive visionary that balances leading a results-driven organization while ensuring the work is organizationally and individually sustainable. This talented leader will work closely with staff, senior leaders, and the Board of Directors in designing and implementing strategies that leverage LCCRSF’s institutional resources to drive policy and systems change. The ideal candidate will be a strategic thinker, experienced in working closely with movement and community, pro bono and law firm volunteers, and brings a track record in leading organizations that balance results with a healthy people centered organizational culture. They will be comfortable working across lines of difference and forging productive relationships with community leaders, pro bono partners, donors, supporters, the Board, and staff.

The Executive Director will report to an engaged Board of Directors that is made up of notable and committed leaders in legal, corporate, academic, and advocacy communities across the Bay Area. The ED will lead a dedicated team of 31 attorneys and staff, including four senior-team level direct reports.

Success in this role will require someone who is:

• A visionary strategic leader who can articulate and communicate a clear and compelling vision for LCCRSF work, in a way that continues to inspire, mobilize, and galvanize staff, partners, community leaders, and pro bono legal practitioners, and to ensure the long-term impact and sustainability of this vibrant enterprise;
• An adept relationship builder, increasing rapport, trust, and transparency across a diverse and growing community of passionate and talented stakeholders, including staff, pro-bono partners, funders, supporters, and nonprofit partners;
• A strong listener, public communicator, and storyteller who can articulate and amplify the values, lived experiences and lessons that demonstrate the potential and impact of the work LCCRSF does in meeting communities where they are; and
• A committed and thoughtful leader who will partner with the communities most impacted by LCCRSF’s work to elevate their voices, make space for collaborative impact, and work towards a shared vision.

OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES FACING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

The Executive Director will join an extraordinary team of individuals that include a committed group of staff, a thriving community of pro-bono attorneys, and movement partners committed to racial, economic, and immigrant justice and impact in their communities. The Executive Director will:

Co-Create and Evolve Strong Organizational Strategy that Inspires and Clarifies Impact

The Executive Director will adeptly work across the organization to foster clarity and inspire confidence in the face of challenges. The Executive Director will bring a strong, results driven orientation, while deeply valuing and affirming leadership and organizational development that is informed by the needs of its people to ensure this critical work is done sustainably and effectively. They will develop robust, trustful relationships with both existing and new stakeholders and will cultivate opportunities for staff, partners, supporters, and movement leaders to build together towards a new era of equitable systemic change. The Executive Director will oversee all operations to advance LCCRSF’s mission and will guide LCCRSF in addressing gaps internally and in the sector and ideate innovative solutions that lead to impact.

• In collaboration with the staff and Board of Directors, refine and execute LCCRSF’s strategic direction and growth while ensuring that the budget, staff, and priorities are aligned with LCCRSF’s core mission.
• Build upon decision making processes that both deeply respect and value LCCRSF’s inclusive, organizational culture while simultaneously ensuring that critical decisions are made in a thoughtful yet expedient manner.
• Support a capable senior leadership team that will serve as a valuable partner in overseeing all administrative, operational, engagement, and programmatic functions of the organization.

Strong People Leader Committed to Impact and Co-Creating Systems That Are People Centered

• The Executive Director will support and lead a high impact team. They will be responsible for articulating and driving a healthy organizational culture across LCCRSF’s teams. The Executive Director will be focused on driving results and reframing challenges as opportunities for organizational growth. They will model organizational values and will support and design systems that meet LCCRSF’s goals and maintain a healthy, supportive, and collaborative work culture. Ensure relevant leaders have the skills, tools, support, input, and feedback they need to effective lead high performing and high impact teams.
• In partnership with leadership, ensure the availability, alignment, and good stewardship of LCCRSF’s resources in the long and short-term, setting priorities, and designing structures that optimizes impact while making the work sustainable for staff.
• In partnership with leadership, respond to organizational crises and work to adequately protect the organization while living our values.
• In partnership with the COO, regularly review organizational financial documents and identify areas of concerns and opportunities.
• Recruit, hire, assess, and supervise organizational leaders (both program and non-program).
• Supervise staff and lead teams during gaps in program leadership positions, as needed.

Represent LCCRSF and Manage Effective Relationships

The Executive Director must have a strong desire and interest to work and develop organizational strategies that center racial, economic, and immigrant justice. They will be deeply committed to racial equity within the organization and will work to maintain, build, and extend partnerships in the service of LCCRSF’s work and its commitment to its core issues and campaigns.

Additionally, the Executive Director will:

• Grow strategic relationships with external partners within the movement, political ecosystem, think tanks, funders, or other spheres to further position LCCRSF as a leading resource for impact litigation, policy advocacy, and ideas that advance an ambitious and progressive agenda.
• Work closely with the Development team to set strategy and expand LCCRSF funding base to ensure the long-term viability of the organization. As the senior representative at LCCRSF the ED will make asks and build relationships with foundations and donors.
• Provide thought leadership in the field and be an organizational spokesperson for media and events that raise visibility of LCCRSF’s organizational brand and work.
• Partner with the Board to ensure the organization’s commitment to its core mission and values and facilitate strong Board and staff alignment around policy and strategic planning, maintaining, modifying, and adapting organizational structure, and developing annual and long-range programmatic and financial goals.

QUALIFICATIONS

The ideal candidate will have a true passion for working with passionate civil rights advocates and a personal and professional commitment to racial, immigrant, and economic justice. The Executive Director will have experience building consensus and working collaboratively with various partners, funders, elected officials, and community members to create systemic change. While no one candidate will embody all the qualifications enumerated below, the ideal candidate will possess many of the following professional and personal abilities, attributes, and experiences:

Strategic Leadership and Core Knowledge of the Field

• Passionate, accomplished leader with practical and substantive experience in community-based, grassroots movements; knowledge and expertise regarding the movements for economic, racial, and social justice in California and beyond.
• Ideal candidates will be familiar with local, state, and federal governance, politics, policy-making, and legal services, have a working knowledge of organizing, and have meaningful relationships with local and regional leaders.
• Ability to think across systems, sectors, and movements to identify opportunities for collaboration and shared outcomes.
• Demonstrated ability to align vision, strategy, and execution.
• Demonstrated passion for and investment in advancing justice and equity. Highly developed critical consciousness and a combination of professional and lived experience aligned with LCCRSF’s mission and values.
• An optimistic outlook and the humor, integrity, kindness, and patience necessary to work within a transformative environment.

Systems and Management

• Commitment to creating a strong and healthy workplace that reflects internally the values LCCRSF advocates for externally and that centers diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
• Ability to develop agile organizational structures and strategies that can be both responsive in a dynamic context and strategic in anticipating future needs and opportunities.
• Demonstrated skills in organizational design and management; a willingness to rethink or improve upon established systems and processes.
• Experience mentoring, developing, and providing leadership to high-performing, multi-disciplinary teams and partners that engages staff, members, and pro-bono staff to achieve project/program goals.
• A leader who prioritizes a relational work environment that builds trust and seeks to foster a culture of transparency, accountability, and integrity.
• Experience working in partnership with a board of directors and leveraging a board’s resources.

Relationship Stewardship and Cultivation

• Superb communication and external relations skills and demonstrated success in building an organization’s profile and reputation in local, regional, national, and professional communities.
• Demonstrated ability to have authentic dialogue around sensitive issues including funder expectations, grantee priorities, and community and movement concerns; highly developed emotional intelligence and active listening skills, and the ability to use interpersonal skills in collaborative, diplomatic ways.
• A proven track record of substantial and diverse fund development and experience with foundation and individual giving. Direct experience cultivating and asking for major gifts would be ideal.
• Demonstrated ability to serve as public spokesperson for the organization at high-level functions and across media platforms that lift up the work of LCCRSF.

COMPENSATION, BENEFITS, & WORK LOCATION

This position is full-time, exempt, and reports to the Board of Directors. The salary range is $200,000 - $250,000. Full benefits package includes 100% paid medical + 80% for dependents and more. Time off: 3 weeks’ vacation, 12 sick days, 12+ holidays, plus Summer Short Fridays and one week Winter Break. 

Our office is located on the Embarcadero in downtown San Francisco, close to many transit options. We’re currently remote with our office available for optional use. We do not yet have a target date for return to the office, but we expect to offer a hybrid model upon return. Employees must be fully vaccinated for in-person work.

General working hours are 9:00am – 5:00pm, Monday - Friday. LCCRSF is both woman and minority-led, with about 30 team members. We are flexible and family-friendly and value health, wellness, and balance. We will encourage and support you to take care of yourself! We follow ADA guidelines - reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with different abilities to perform the essential functions.

TO APPLY

More information about LCCRSF may be found at: lccrsf.org

This search is being led by Julian Jackson and Danielle Higa of NPAG. The priority application deadline is January 30, 2023. We encourage applicants to submit materials as soon as possible as applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Candidates may submit their cover letter, outlining their interest and qualifications, along with their resume via NPAG’s website.

In your letter of interest, please describe your interest in the position, provide a detailed statement of purpose highlighting relevant qualifications in the areas outlined above, and respond to the following question:  What in your background and experience has prepared you to work for an organization dedicated to advancing racial equity and social justice in this moment? Feel free to think broadly about your response, applying professional or personal experiences.

Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights of the San Francisco Bay Area thrives as an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer. BIPOC, LGBTQ+ candidates, people of all gender identities, persons with disabilities and individuals over 55 are encouraged to apply.