Executive Director

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Job location
117 North Garth Avenue
Columbia, MO 65203
United States
Organization information
Organization name: 
Mid-Missouri Legal Services
Street address: 
117 North Garth Avenue
City: 
Columbia
State: 
Missouri
ZIP: 
65203
Job type: 
Legal - Civil
Position Description: 

Mid-Missouri Legal Services is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit legal aid program that serves low-income people and survivors of domestic and/or sexual violence who have civil legal problems. For nearly 45 years MMLS has promoted equal access to justice under law to vulnerable and underserved populations. It provides legal advice and representation, advocacy, education and outreach throughout its 11-county service area in Central Missouri to protect basic human needs and legal rights.

About the Position: The next Executive Director of Mid-Missouri Legal Services (MMLS) will lead a 16-member staff in its offices located in Columbia and Jefferson City.

The Executive Director (“ED”) must possess and demonstrate passion for the vision and mission of MMLS, along with significant legal and administrative experience. To succeed, the ED will need leadership skills to motivate and guide others to complete MMLS’s mission, as well as strategic leadership to keep MMLS poised and positioned to continue delivering services well into the future.

Along with executive leadership skills, the ED must demonstrate and possess a high proficiency in administrative tasks, grant writing and grant monitoring. A significant portion of the ED’s time will be dedicated to grant writing and management. Critical ED functions are fiscal stewardship and compliance monitoring.

This position is based in the Columbia, Missouri office of MMLS.

Responsibilities:

• Administers all MMLS programs and manages all operations.
• Serves as the public face of MMLS; provides leadership in local, state and national
civil legal aid forums; participates in administrative and private forums; engages with local courts, community leaders and the private bar.
• Develops and maintains effective relationships with the Legal Services Corporation and other important national, state and local funders; increases and diversifies financial support through private fundraising initiatives; maintains and strengthens governmental funding and provides strong financial stewardship.
• Develops and cultivates relationships with individual and corporate donors, as well as grantors.
• Leads the MMLS advocacy program and promotes teamwork among all projects, staff and services; and ensures that MMLS is a supportive workplace committed to maintaining diversity, equity and inclusion, that provides professional development opportunities and promotes work/life balance for its staff.
• Leads and promotes collaboration with other civil legal services providers and human services organizations in the region and throughout the state; thinks creatively about gaps in civil legal services and works with talented staff to close those gaps.
• Serves as the liaison to the MMLS Board of Directors; keeps the Board apprised of all aspects of the organization’s work; and develops knowledge needed for effective stewardship of MMLS.
• Mentors and builds other leaders within the organization; actively promotes supervisory training, improved communication, and the development of skills to address personnel and resource allocation issues.
• Hires and retains top-quality staff.

Desirable Skills and Characteristics:

• An understanding of the critical legal needs of low-income and vulnerable individuals.
• Ability to serve as a spokesperson to the media, legal community and other stakeholder audiences.
• Excellent emotional intelligence, including listening skills, delegation skills, empathy toward clients and staff, and values diversity.
• Technologically competent and committed to the use of technology to improve and extend services.
• Success in specific fundraising endeavors, including grants, corporate giving, individual giving and capital campaigns.

Requirements: 

Requirements:

Missouri state bar license to practice law, or the ability to obtain a Missouri license within one year. Minimum of five years’ law-related experience required.
• Experience in a management capacity, including supervision, feedback and evaluations, delegation, conflict resolution.
• Enthusiasm for and investment in culturally diverse environments.
• Experience working with a board of directors and/or executive committee, including meeting management, committee structure and organization, and strategic planning.
• Effective oral and written communication skills.
• Financial acumen, including generally accepted accounting principles and budgeting.
• Fundraising ability, including relationship development and strategy.

To apply: 

Please apply on or before April 30, 2022, by emailing your resume, a cover letter summarizing your qualifications and interest, and at least three professional references to [email protected]

Notes: 
Mid-Missouri Legal Services is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.
Salary range: 
Executive Level Salary Commensurate with Experience
Submission deadline: 
Saturday, April 30, 2022