Position Description: Executive Director

APPLICATIONS WILL BE REVIEWED ON A ROLLING BASIS; POSITION OPEN UNTIL FILLED

The Chesapeake Legal Alliance

The Chesapeake Legal Alliance is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to use the law to protect and restore the Chesapeake Bay. We carry out that mission primarily through a network of volunteer attorneys who provide pro bono legal assistance to individuals, communities and organizations that are working towards protection and restoration of the Bay and its watershed but who cannot afford an attorney.

The legal services provided by these volunteers are not limited to cases involving environmental law, but extend to any legal services that may facilitate the work of our clients and partner organizations. These range from lawsuits under the Clean Water Act to challenging land use decisions; from providing tax advice to other nonprofits to advising on mergers between partner organizations; and from drafting and preparing testimony on legislation to commenting on proposed regulations or draft permits. Our work covers the entire Chesapeake Bay watershed which includes parts of Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Delaware, New York, and the District of Columbia. CLA staff work closely with grass roots organizations, coalitions, and environmental/conservation/health organizations, as well as municipalities and local, state, and federal agencies.

CLA has a staff of five employees, supplemented throughout the year by legal interns and students from environmental law clinics and public policy studies programs from around the country. CLA is supported in its work by an active 21-person Board of Directors composed of attorneys and consultants with extensive experience as leaders in government agencies, law makers, and partners in the nation’s top law firms. The 2018 operating budget is approximately $400,000 raised from individual donors, foundations and corporations.

The Executive Director

The Executive Director is the leader of the organization and is the person primarily
responsible for its operations, funding, and management. The ED’s principal roles
include:

• Collaborating with the Board of Directors in developing and implementing the organization’s strategy;
• Developing and carrying out plans for raising the operating funds necessary for CLA to carry out its mission;
• Coordinating and continuing to expand our network of volunteer attorneys and CLA programs;
• Building and nurturing relationships with clients and collaborative partners in the Chesapeake Bay environmental community; and
• Leading and supervising the staff.

The ED’s office is in CLA’s headquarters in the historic district of Annapolis. The ED’s duties require occasional travel and attendance at some evening and weekend events.

Duties

The duties of Executive Director include:

FUNDRAISING/FINANCES

• Managing the organization’s administrative and financial affairs: including preparing the annual budget, assuring the preparation of regular financial reports, negotiating leases, reviewing contracts, and supervising outside contractors.
• Raising funds from foundations, corporations, law firms and individuals to support CLA’s short- and long-term sustainability goals; serve as liaison to foundations and cultivate donor relationships.

PROGRAM MANAGEMENT

• Managing the organization to ensure that it provides effective pro bono counsel on matters associated with the protection and restoration of the Chesapeake Bay and its watershed.
• Identifying emerging issues and new legal strategies and tools.
• Managing staff attorneys in:
• • Evaluating legal matters, identifying legal issues and research that may be needed, and placing matters with qualified lawyers.
  • Developing training materials and information for citizen groups, other organizations, and volunteer attorneys on issues and procedures relevant to work in which CLA is involved regularly, such as the Clean Water Act and zoning/land use.
  • Preparing press releases, e-blasts, website content, news articles and articles for legal publications.
  • Developing marketing materials to reach new clients, volunteers and donors.
  • Developing fundraising campaigns and events and recognition and outreach events with support of Outreach Coordinator.
  • Identifying metrics to measure and report on the organization’s progress.
  • Maintaining databases used to track matters, volunteer attorneys, clients, and donors.

LIASON TO BOARD OF DIRECTORS

• Working with the Board of Directors and its standing committees on periodic review of CLA’s strategic plan, recruitment of Board members, development of budgets, review of Board policies, and identification of emerging legal issues and opportunities.
• Developing agendas, materials, and presentations for meetings of the Board, standing committees, and Board retreats.

OUTREACH

• Engaging in community outreach and networking, including attendance at conferences and social events.
• Establishing and expanding partnerships with community groups, other nonprofits, and state and federal agencies, elected officials, and universities and law schools.
• Promoting CLA’s visibility and public image through its website, press releases, newspaper and radio interviews, and other communications with allies and the media.
• Growing and cultivating CLA’s networks of volunteer legal professionals, clients, and potential clients.

Many of the preceding activities are shared with the Staff Attorneys and other CLA office personnel, as appropriate.

Skills and Experience

The successful candidate will have:

• Demonstrated leadership experience.
• Demonstrated ability to raise funds for not-for-profit organizations.
• A passion for protecting the environment, particularly the Chesapeake Bay and its watershed.
• Energy, creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit driven by the challenges of a small, but growing, organization.
• The ability to motivate, manage, and work harmoniously with a small team of professionals and a wide network of volunteer attorneys and partner organizations.
• Excellent communications skills, both written and oral.
• Strong organizational skills.
• An outgoing personality comfortable with networking with volunteers, clients, donors, and other members of the environmental community.
• A good sense of humor.

The following are desired, but not mandatory:

• A law degree and membership in one or more state bars.
• At least 5 years of law or policy experience in environmental law, land use, and water quality issues. Regulatory and/or legislative experience are a plus.
• Experience with database management and social media.

Salary and Benefits

• Salary – $80,000
• Health Insurance
• Four Weeks Paid Vacation, one week sick/personal leave

To Apply:
Please email the following to the search committee at :
1. Cover letter explaining your interest and qualifications for the position of Executive Director.
2. Resume that outlines your skills and experience.
3. Three professional references.

Please include the words “CLA Executive Director Position” in the subject line of
your email.

Questions: Email any questions to .

(NOTE: Please do not call about the status of your application.)