Executive Director

Orange County Bar Association; Orlando (FL); On-site; USD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Orange County Bar Association seeks an Executive Director to lead staff and volunteers, report to the President and Executive Council, and implement the organization’s strategic plan in service of its members.

You will oversee budgets, fundraising, programs, and communications, build relationships with the judiciary, bar associations, and the Legal Aid Society, and ensure compliance with nonprofit governance.

Responsibilities

• Lead OCBA staff and volunteers to recruit and retain members.
• Present and manage annual budget to the Executive Council.
• Maintain effective member relations and communications.
• Oversee OCBA committees, events, and publications.
• Foster external relationships with judiciary, government, and bar associations.
• Ensure OCBA programs align with changing laws for 501(c)(6) nonprofits.
• Attend events outside normal hours as needed.

Job description

• Reporting directly to the President and the Executive Council
• Making recommendations to the Executive Council regarding preferred or alternative courses of action
• Assuring that the Executive Council is kept fully informed of the activities, operations and financial condition of the OCBA required for the efficient and orderly conduct of business
• Maintaining continuing communication with the OCBA President so that necessary actions can be taken between meetings of the Executive Council Members
• Providing leadership to and overseeing the OCBA staff and volunteers in an effort to recruit new members, retain existing members, and expand membership base
• Overseeing activities related to maintaining effective member relations
• Motivating members to personally, professionally, and financially support the OCBA’s programs and events
• Overseeing the management of the committee meetings and related functions
• Serving as an effective liaison and maintaining communications with the President, Executive Council, Committee Chairs, and OCBA membership
• Analyzing and interpreting the needs of members and recommending revisions in programs to improve service and assistance to make membership more valuable
• Working diligently to ensure that OCBA programs, services, and products assist members to become increasingly competitive and successful
• Remaining current with the relevant laws and regulations governing 501(c)(6) not-for-profit organizations and consulting the Executive Council as necessary to advise of changes that may impact the OCBA
• May be required to attend events outside of normal business hours, including nights and weekends

Staff Management

• Developing policies and guidelines for the supervision, management, and administration of all OCBA staff
• Exercising responsibility for hiring, supervising, reviewing, and terminating OCBA staff
• Delegating activities of the OCBA to staff members and ensuring that the office performs efficiently and that all employees work in compliance with the OCBA’s employment policies[KH2]

External Relationships

• Ensuring a successful collaborative relationship with the Executive Director and staff of the Legal Aid Society of the OCBA
• Maintaining meaningful relationships, communications, and connections with local and state bar associations and ABA contacts, and utilizing those relationships to enhance the OCBA’s objectives
• Promoting and fostering a positive, collegial and professional atmosphere amongst and between the staff and members of the OCBA
• Serving as an ambassador of the OCBA at voluntary bar, Florida Bar, and other public events
• Developing and maintaining a good working relationship with the judiciary, court administration, local government, and the Clerk of Court’s office

Fiscal Management

• Preparing and presenting the annual budget as adopted by the OCBA Executive Council Budget Committee to ensure that all funds are appropriately safeguarded and managed
• Executing and reviewing contracts on behalf of the OCBA
• Overseeing the management of the OCBA Foundation and OCBA Section accounts including the Young Lawyers Section and Paralegal Section
• Maintaining the OCBA’s investment accounts and recommending, when necessary, reallocation of resources to the Budget Committee and Long-Range Planning Committee of the OCBA Executive Council to ensure the successful implementation of programs and activities
• Ensuring timely filing of all OCBA and OCBA Foundation tax returns, including the 990 and 990‐T tax returns in coordination with staff Director of Accounting and Administration and the OCBA’s external CPA auditing/review firm
• Ensuring timely distribution of annual membership dues statements and process for collection of payments
• Providing financial oversight by preparing, reviewing, and presenting monthly financial reports and key performance indicator reports to the Executive Council
• Exploring new opportunities for non‐dues revenue, revenue growth from existing programs and services, and expense management

Infrastructure

• Overseeing the development, enhancement, and maintenance of the OCBA’s technology systems to support management functions and to increase the value provided to members
• Competence with technology and open to embracing emerging technologies
• Overseeing the maintenance of the OCBA building for the implementation of programs and meetings and to preserve the value and efficiency of the building
• Ensuring that the building and its contents are adequately insured

Additional Duties

• Overseeing and ensuring the timely production of nine (9) issues of the OCBA publication, The Briefs
• Attending OCBA events, including, but not limited to: monthly luncheons, gala, 5K race, Bench Bar Conference, networking events and happy hours, awards ceremonies, networking events, and OCBA committee and section functions
• Overseeing the Lawyer Referral and Information Service; staying current with changes in relevant technologies and ensuring that our services stay relevant to our members and the public
• Working closely with and advising the President‐Elect on the prospective appointments of committee members and their leadership
• Assisting in raising funds for the biennial Bench Bar Conference, OCBA Gala, and other OCBA events and programs
• Investigating, negotiating, and recommending employee benefits; and administering the OCBA’s employee benefits program
• Assisting the President and President-Elect with developing the agenda, securing and negotiating the location and coordinating all aspects of the annual Executive Council Retreat
• Working with the President and President-Elect in securing speakers for membership luncheons. Planning and coordinating membership luncheons
• Writing podium notes, presentations, and scripts for the President, and other officers, for membership luncheons, community events, and meetings
• Maintaining and distributing official minutes of the Executive Council meetings, maintaining custody and providing security of all official OCBA and OCBA Foundation documents, records and files, legal and historic documents, and membership and mailing lists
• Administering the OCBA's nomination and election process, preparing and disseminating appropriate materials, notices, and ballots for the OCBA elections, as well as the elections for the Young Lawyers Section and the Legal Aid Society of the OCBA, Inc.
• Overseeing and planning, when required, judicial retirement events
• Coordinating with Court Administration staff and the President to handle attendance, announcements, and gifts for all investitures and judicial retirement events
• Overseeing the maintenance of the master calendar of the OCBA
• Supervising, contributing to, and monitoring all social media postings and account management for the OCBA, including section and committee pages and groups
• Ensuring information is up to date on OCBA’s website with assistance from staff
• Working with staff to distribute electronic newsletters to the membership about upcoming events and news
• Serving as a liaison to the Legal Aid Society of the Orange County Bar Association, Inc.

The projected first year accomplishments:

• Establish presence as Executive Director and become completely familiar with all operating aspects of the organization including staff, finances, programs, and Executive Council members
• Initiate formal and informal introductions and connections with the OCBA membership through various communications, in‐person gatherings, and meetings to develop strong relationships with key constituencies
• Evaluate the strategic direction of and future opportunities for the OCBA in concert with the Executive Council and staff through a review of current programs and personnel
• Develop strategic, operational, and budgetary plans
• Build and maintain collaborative relationships with other voluntary bars and professional associations to secure the best and most cost-effective services and programs for members
• Evaluate and develop responses to important organizational challenges and operational goals. s
• Assure sustained financial stability through an increase in dues‐paying member base, along with dues and non‐dues income enhancements