The Spokane County Bar Association (SCBA) and Spokane County Bar Volunteer Lawyers Program(SCBVLP) seek an inspirational and community-minded leader to serve as the Executive Director for both organizations. As a professional membership organization, the SCBA seeks to enhance the integrity and competence of the legal community and to pursue greater access to justice for all county residents. Its companion organization, the SCBVLP, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that recruits volunteer attorneys to provide legal services to low-income residents of the Inland Northwest. The Executive Director will lead and manage both organizations.

We are looking for a proven leader who is just as comfortable networking with judges and elected officials as s/he is greeting potential clients at low-income legal clinics. The wide range of responsibilities of this position means that the successful candidate can have an immediate and direct impact on the ideal position for someone with a legal background who wants to drive measurable and meaningful progress toward more equitable access to justice for all people in need of legal advice and representation.

Essential Responsibilities:

Membership Support and Development

- Develop strategies for membership recruitment, engagement, and retention; continually and proactively seek information to understand membership expectations and needs using a varietyof methods.

- Set specific and measurable goals for membership; prepare, evaluate, and adjust strategy and budgets, as needed, to meet them.

- Manage and promote value-added member benefits, programs, and services; monitor trends and best practices in the industry to propose new ideas to the Board.

- Lead the planning and execution of various membership events, including the Holiday Party, the Professionalism Dinner, monthly luncheons and socials, and other events.

- Produce valuable member communications (including Calendar Call newsletter); ensure that membership polls and Judicial Evaluations are completed professionally and transparently.

- Respond effectively and thoroughly to membership concerns; engage the Board timely regarding complaints and resolutions.

Community, Partner, and Constituent Relations

- Implement public relations, social media content, and outreach strategies that promote the important work of SCBA and SCBVLP, including brand development, collateral materials, advertising, press releases, and participating in interviews.

- Supervise and support the SCBVLP Coordinator with fundraising and marketing.

- Proactively build trust-based relationships with the legal community at large, community leaders, legislators and policymakers, partner agencies, volunteers, and other key stakeholders.

- Cultivate a deep understanding of issues and trends facing the legal industry and those individuals requiring legal assistance, particularly low-income and other marginalized communities; research and ask questions to explore issues, needs, and goals of community partners, volunteers, service providers, and clients.

- Build partnerships with individuals from many different backgrounds, demonstrating sensitivity to others’ needs, showing empathy, promoting growth, and offering support.

- Consistently work to combat systemic racism and the effects of harmful institutional practices on historically marginalized communities; champion diversity and inclusion within the SCBA and SCBVLP and support the work of the Systemic Racism Task Force.

Operational Excellence

- Provide operational leadership and management of the SCBA and SCBVLP; evaluate performance, compare results, and track relevant data to improve programs and initiatives.

- Oversee implementation of SCBA and SCBVLP bylaws, policies, resolutions, and strategic plans.

- Establish and manage compliant and effective human resources in order to attract, develop, and retain talented individuals; nurture a work environment where employees can realize their full potential. This includes hiring, coaching, evaluating, discipline/terminations, training, professional development, and setting compensation within budgetary parameters.

- Develop, monitor, and enhance operational workflows and administrative policies, processes, and systems to achieve desired outcomes and goals. Use best practices related to:

o Records retention (physical and electronic)

o Maximizing the use of available technology to support operational efficiencies

o Keeping required licenses, registrations, and reports current and complete

o Managing and protecting the organizations’ intellectual property

o Payroll management and oversight

- Create and execute processes related to the financial integrity of the SCBA and SCBVLP, including maintaining all contracts, bank accounts, insurance policies, grants, capital purchases, and leases; ensure accurate tax returns are timely filed.

Board of Trustee Effectiveness

- Attend and participate in monthly and special meetings of the Board of Trustees; communicate timely, accurate information to the Board in order to promote efficient meetings and informed decisions. This includes, among other things:

o Annual budget approval and monthly fiscal reports

o Strategic and operational outcomes, including membership turnover/retention, staff turnover/retention, barriers to achieving strategic and/or operational goals

- Assist the Board in developing and refreshing a long-term strategic plan; ensure that the strategic plan has specific, measurable goals that are regularly reported to the Board.

- Collaborate with Board to support Officer and Trustee recruitment, conduct elections, and  engage in ongoing orientation and development.

Position Qualifications:

Required Education/Experience:

• Bachelor's degree.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in the legal field.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including presentation/public speaking.
• Outstanding community engagement skills with demonstrated experience in building strong partnerships and networks.

• Ability to multitask and successfully manage competing priorities.
• Mission-driven mindset with an aptitude for teambuilding and collaboration.
• Technology-savvy, including use of Microsoft Office applications.

Desired Qualifications:

• Juris doctor highly preferred.
• Experience supervising and mentoring staff.
• Experience creating and managing an operational budget.
• Experience seeking grant funding, writing applications, and managing program performance.
• Nonprofit leadership experience.
• Knowledge and understanding of the issues surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion;

Certified Diversity Executive or Certified Diversity Professional designation a plus.

Physical Abilities:

Primary functions require sufficient physical ability and mobility to:

• Sit for prolonged periods of time;
• Stand, walk and climb stairs;
• Operate office equipment requiring repetitive hand movement and fine coordination

including use of a computer keyboard;

• Utilize advanced verbal and written communication to exchange information;
• Clearly see 20+ feet, with or without corrective lenses and differentiate between colors;
• Occasionally stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, reach, and twist.

Work Environment:

While performing the essential duties and responsibilities of this job, the employee is exposed to an office environment whose conditions and noise levels are atypical. Currently, the office location is a small, semi-private partitioned space. The din of office noise is fairly constant. The ability to multi-task in this very fast-paced environment is an integral part of this position.

Compensation:

Comprehensive benefits package, including medical insurance, parking reimbursement, and retirement contribution. Salary range: $72,000 - $95,000 DOE.

To Apply: Send resume and cover letter to MWardrop@spokanebar.org. Application review begins immediately.