Are you a dynamic leader who is passionate about improving and expanding access to justice in Colorado? Are you energized by leveraging your skills and experience to make a difference for underserved Coloradans? The Legal Aid Foundation of Colorado (LAF) and the Colorado Lawyer Trust Account Foundation (COLTAF) are seeking an Executive Director to fulfill their respective missions as fund-raising and grant-making organizations that are vital to Colorado’s civil justice ecosystem and catalysts for equal justice in Colorado.
About the organizations:
LAF promotes equal access to justice by raising funds from lawyers, law firms, and others for Colorado’s statewide civil legal aid program, Colorado Legal Services. LAF has an annual budget of approximately $2 million, and also administers other funds for the benefit of civil legal aid.
COLTAF administers the Interest on Lawyers’ Trust Accounts (IOLTA) program established by the Colorado Supreme Court, through which the interest earned on lawyers’ pooled trust accounts (holding short-term and nominal client funds) is used to make grants to support civil legal aid and other justice-related programs. COLTAF’s annual budget varies widely depending on prevailing interest rates, ranging from $1 million to $6 million.
The two organizations have separate, independent boards of directors, and are administered jointly by a staff of 3.5 FTE.
About the position:
The Executive Director oversees strategy and operations for both LAF and COLTAF, and serves as a leader and partner in Colorado’s equal justice community. The Executive Director is responsible for the day-to-day operations of both organizations, reports directly to both boards, and works with both boards to develop and implement each organization’s vision and strategy and to ensure continued impact and effectiveness. Areas of responsibility include but are not limited to:
Stakeholder & community engagement: Develops, maintains, and enhances relationships with other stakeholders, leaders, and organizations. Participates in local, statewide, and national organizations and activities supporting the work of LAF and COLTAF. Promotes both organizations in the community to increase awareness, understanding, and support.
Board leadership:  Provides leadership to both boards, keeping them well informed of financial matters and other issues of concern, and working with them to develop strategic solutions as necessary. Assists the boards in establishing and maintaining committees necessary for success. Works with board chairs to plan meetings and prepare agendas, and to identify, onboard, integrate, and support new officers and directors.
Fundraising: Assists and advises the LAF Board in developing and maintaining a plan for annual and future fundraising with measurable goals and objectives. Responsible for the direction, development, and implementation of annual fundraising activities, and for creating the conditions for success. Directs efforts to increase and expand funding sources for civil legal aid.
Revenue enhancement:  Assists and advises the COLTAF Board in identifying, developing, and maintaining strategies to enhance revenue. Responsible for ensuring implementation of revenue enhancement strategies, including bank compliance with rate requirements for COLTAF accounts.
Grant-making:  Assists and advises the COLTAF Board in fulfilling its grant-making function, including setting grant priorities and developing grant criteria. Responsible for the direction, development, and implementation of annual grant-making activities and required reporting.
Financial management: Develops annual budgets for board review and approval, and manages operations within approved budgets.  Responsible for maintaining internal controls. Works with auditor to complete annual audits and IRS 990 tax returns.
Personnel and office management: Hires, supervises and develops productive and effective staff members. Responsible for developing and implementing personnel practices and personnel policy direction. Provides leadership and direction for technology necessary to support operations and data security. Promotes organizational efficiency and effectiveness.
Job skills and qualifications:
- A passion for equal access to justice in Colorado.
- JD or Bachelor’s degree with demonstrated familiarity and experience with the legal community.
- Significant law firm and/or nonprofit management experience.
- Demonstrated leadership skills.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills with an ability to inspire support for equal justice in Colorado.
- Strong organizational skills and ability to multi-task.
- Personal attributes of professionalism, integrity, dedication, and initiative.
Salary and benefits:
Salary range of $80,000- $120,000, depending on experience and qualifications. Benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance; a Simplified Employee Pension (SEP) plan; paid vacation and sick leave; paid holidays; and the opportunity to work to advance equal justice in Colorado with others who share that commitment.
To apply:
Interested applicants should submit a letter explaining your interest in the position, your qualifications, and what you might contribute to the future of both organizations; a resume; and the names and contact information for three professional references.
Materials should be submitted electronically to DJ.McKune@wilmerhale.com in Microsoft Word or PDF format. Questions should also be directed to DJ.McKune@wilmerhale.com.
Application deadline is Friday, September, 15, 2023.
The Legal Aid Foundation and COLTAF are equal opportunity employers. Â All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.