Selection Criteria
The National Bar Association (NBA) was founded in 1925 and is the nation’s oldest and largest national network of predominantly African-American attorneys and judges. The NBA represents the interests of approximately 66,000 lawyers, judges, law professors, and law students. The NBA is seeking a highly qualified, dynamic Executive Director who will shepherd the organization into its centennial year and beyond.
The NBA will offer a multi-year contract starting at a base salary of $200,000 per annum. The salary of the new Executive Director shall be firmly tied to performance, and additional incentive-based pay shall be negotiated.
The NBA hopes to have the new Executive Director in place by January 14, 2022. The responsibilities include but are not limited to:
• Sustaining an effective governance system that can guide the organization in accomplishing its mission through implementation of the Board of Governors’ policies and strategic priorities;
• Effectively building a strong and sustainable funding base for the organization by demonstrating the ability to generate and/or procure ample revenue and resources required to support the mission and work of the National Bar Association; direct leadership role in the organization’s development programs, including its annual fundraising efforts, endowment, capital, and planned giving;
• Managing the NBA staff and contractors and consistently modeling an understanding of ethical principles, respect, inclusivity, and adaptive leadership to maintain a safe and accessible work environment that complies with internal and external rules, regulations, policies, and procedures;
• Analyzing internal pain-points, external factors, and key trends to guide the long-term financial performance of the NBA;
• Providing the NBA President and the Board of Governors support to develop a robust leadership infrastructure to maintain long-term organizational success;
• Overseeing the financial and business planning of the organization’s Fiscal Policy as well as implementing systems and metrics to ensure compliance with all laws, regulations, and industry standards;
• Consistently deepening relationships with a growing community of attorneys, community organizations as well as individual and organizational donors and foster existing and new collaborations with organizational partners;
• Developing an integrated facilities management plan with a focus on the NBA’s technological strategy and solutions;
• Examining feedback to ensure that programs, correspondences, and meetings meet the needs of NBA members and our stakeholders, particularly sponsors, vendors, and corporate partners;
• Planning and executing the objectives for conventions, meetings, and events in alignment with organizational goals and stakeholder needs;
• Building strong governmental relations through the legislative, executive, and judicial branches, and political coalitions that will assist in prioritizing the NBA’s public policy positions and accomplishing our advocacy goals; and
• Defining the NBA branding, communication, and public relations goals, including the creation of omnichannel solutions to meet the diverse needs of the NBA membership.
The ideal candidate will display a passion for the NBA’s mission, culture, and work and have relevant experiences in governance, executive leadership, organizational strategy, strategic planning, executive management and operations, business development, member and stakeholder engagement and management, advocacy, and marketing and communications. The ideal candidate will also possess a track record of success in managing a nonprofit organization, including fund development, budgets, mission-based programming, infrastructure administration, and constituent relations. The ideal candidate will have emotional maturity, an entrepreneurial spirit, and a global outlook. The ideal candidate will also have access to a nationwide network of leaders, influencers, and stakeholders in the public, private, legal, and not-for-profit sectors.
About the Search Process
A search committee, including members of the NBA’s Board of Governors, will oversee the review and screening process and make a recommendation to the full Board of Governors. Interested candidates are invited to submit by email the documents below (preferably in one consolidated PDF attachment) no later than December 17, 2021 as a preferred submission date. The email should be sent to ExecutiveSearch@nationalbar.org with “Executive Search” as the subject line.
A cover letter, addressed to the Executive Search Committee Chair, James Carter, expressing interest in the position and presenting:
A. A compelling case for why the candidate is the right person for the position (previous successful experiences in Executive Director or leadership roles in terms of fundraising, membership recruitment, organizational management, partnership building, and other relevant areas), addressing key questions such as:
• What has been your experience leading/building an organization into a growth phase in terms of membership and revenue generation?
• What is your experience in raising funds to ensure a multi-year stable, reliable source of funding for the organization?
• What has been one of your professional challenges, and how was it addressed?
B. Clearly articulated responses to the following questions regarding the NBA’s work:
• What in your opinion is a major challenge facing a nonprofit like the NBA, and how would you propose to address that challenge?
• Which of your proven competencies is the best fit for the NBA at this point of its growth and why?
• What do you see as opportunities for growth for the National Bar Association?
A detailed résumé or CV listing professional posts; describing job responsibilities and accomplishments in key positions; providing all relevant academic credentials and professional development training; and sharing any other data the candidate deems appropriate.
A list of three professional references (full names, current positions, and titles, email addresses, and phone
numbers), describing the context of the relationship with each.
Names of candidates and all documents and information relating to the search will be treated in complete confidentiality by members of the committee, staff, and board, throughout and following the conclusion of the search.
The NBA vigorously embraces diversity of opinions and ideas throughout its programmatic planning and implementation. We highly value and fully support diversity across all aspects of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, abilities, and military status.
Selection Criteria
The successful candidate will exhibit qualifications and proven skills that promise to be the best fit for the organization at its current stage of development. Criteria such as financial acuity and fundraising abilities, programmatic experience and managerial skills, professional outlook and personal character, leadership qualities, community service, and communications ability will inform the selection outcome.
The following is the minimum set of qualifications and skills expected:
Essential:
• Demonstrable experience with managing successful fundraising efforts and effectively building and managing budgets in support of strategic priorities and programming;
• Applied knowledge of nonprofits and proven success in leading an organization into/during a growth phase;
• Successful prior engagement with a Board of Governors or senior management cabinet;
• Strong written and oral communication and public-speaking skills [A sample of writing may be requested during the review process];
• Experience coordinating, planning, and hosting large scale conventions, meetings, and events;
• Entrepreneurial spirit, action-oriented, and a self-starter; and
• High commitment to the vision and mission of the National Bar and its values.
Preferred:
• Ten years or more in an executive or senior management capacity;
• A Juris Doctor from an accredited institution or an advanced academic degree in a field related to the work of the NBA or the requirements of the position; and
• Certification related to association management or the requirements of the position.
Download the job posting here.
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