Executive Director

National Legal Aid & Defender Association; New Orleans (LA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Disability Rights Louisiana leads advocacy and legal services for people with disabilities across Louisiana. The Executive Director will guide a team of ~50, overseeing operations, finances, and program delivery to safeguard rights and advance systemic change.

The role requires strong nonprofit leadership, strategic relationship building, and the ability to mobilize support from public and private partners to expand impact across the state.

Qualifications

• The ideal candidate will have significant nonprofit leadership and management experience within disability rights, legal advocacy, or a closely related field.
• Strong candidates will demonstrate commitment to advocating for the rights of people with disabilities, motivating teams and fostering alignment, and mobilizing public and private support and partnership for the systems change and direct service work DRLA does.

Responsibilities

• Lead the organization and deliver strategic direction.
• Oversee organizational development and supervise senior staff.
• Manage ~ $5M annual budget and ensure compliance with legal and funder requirements.
• Represent DRLA publicly and elevate the organization’s profile across Louisiana and nationwide.
• Foster an internal culture of collaboration and growth.

Skills

Nonprofit leadership

Budget management

People management

Stakeholder engagement

Job description

Position Description

Disability Rights Louisiana (DRLA) protects and advocates for the human and legal rights

Disability Rights Louisiana (DRLA) protects and advocates for the human and legal rights of people with disabilities of all ages across Louisiana. DRLA works to empower the disability community to live an integrated life, free from abuse, neglect, and exploitation. Building on recent successes with impactful litigation and innovative programming, DRLA now seeks its next Executive Director (ED).

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the new ED will lead a highly qualified team of approximately 50 dedicated staff delivering free legal services, educating policymakers, advocating for clients, and delivering trainings throughout the state. The ED will oversee organizational development, supervise senior staff, and manage a roughly $5M annual budget. They will also ensure compliance with legal and funder requirements, safeguarding the short- and long-term fiscal and programmatic health of the organization.

DRLA seeks a compassionate manager who will foster a strong internal culture and lead strategic growth in service of greater impact for the disability community across Louisiana.

The ideal candidate will have significant nonprofit leadership and management experience within disability rights, legal advocacy, or a closely related field. Strong candidates will demonstrate commitment to advocating for the rights of people with disabilities, motivating teams and fostering alignment, and mobilizing public and private support and partnership for the systems change and direct service work DRLA does.

The ED will exhibit humble servant leadership and will have a strong ability to build relationships and gain the trust of the Board and staff at all levels of the organization.

The ED will represent DRLA publicly and will continue to elevate the organization’s profile as a critical, impactful agency, both across the state and nationwide.