Executive Director (CBF)

California Bar Foundation; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits included

Job summary

California Bar Foundation is seeking an Executive Director to lead law and justice equity initiatives from its San Francisco base. The role oversees brand strategy, program strategy, PR, fund development, and financial management, reporting to a statewide board.

The ideal candidate has deep knowledge of California’s legal community, a strong fundraising background, and a track record of team leadership, with a commitment to social justice in the state's justice system.

Qualifications

• Fearless drive and commitment to reforming California's justice system.
• Deep knowledge of California’s legal community including law firms, legal services organizations, law schools, the courts, and both the civil and criminal justice systems.
• J.D. strongly preferred.
• Fundraising experience across annual giving, major gifts, donor relations, direct mail, and social media.
• Five or more years of nonprofit/philanthropic management, or other relevant experience.
• Excellent communication and public speaking skills.
• Superior organizational skills, attention to detail, responsiveness, and follow-through.
• Experience leading, growing, and inspiring a highly effective team.

Responsibilities

• Brand Strategy: lead a comprehensive rebrand and align it with programmatic growth, fundraising, and communications.
• Program Strategy: oversee programs to meet operational goals and strengthen brand impact.
• Public Relations: serve as the public face, lead marketing and messaging in collaboration with Communications staff.
• Fund Development: supervise all fundraising activities and set strategy with the Development team.
• Financial Management: prepare about a $2M annual budget and ensure internal controls and audits.
• Board Support: act as primary staff liaison to the Board with regular updates.

Skills

Fundraising

Nonprofit leadership

Strategic planning

Public speaking

Team leadership

Education

J.D. preferred

Tools

Excel

Salesforce

Microsoft Word

Job description

California Bar Foundation is a statewide foundation that empowers the next generation of lawyers, judges and activists to create a more diverse legal profession, a fair justice system, and a better California.

We believe that a state as diverse as California needs a justice system led by advocates of all races and ethnicities. That’s why we invest in the next generation of bright, diverse scholars to ensure that they have the opportunity to become tomorrow’s legal changemakers. Because righting historical wrongs in our courtrooms, classrooms, and beyond will allow us to truly deliver the original American value--Justice for All.

About the Position

California Bar Foundation is experiencing significant growth and will soon launch a rebrand and name change. We seek a strategic, vigilant, optimistic Executive Director who isn’t afraid to think and act big to solve California’s equity challenges. The Executive Director will need to embody the organization’s ambitious goal to create a justice system as diverse as California in one generation by confronting systemic barriers head on.

This position reports directly to a large statewide Board of Directors and manages a small, San Francisco based staff. The selected individual will have primary responsibility over all management functions: brand strategy, program strategy, public relations, fund development, financial management, Board support, and related administrative duties. This position requires significant capacity for day to day administration and management as well as fearless drive and passion for social justice.

Broad understanding of California’s legal and social justice communities required. The Executive Director will be the face and voice of the organization.

This is a full-time exempt position, based in San Francisco and will require travel within the state. The Executive Director is a non-voting member of the Board of Directors.

Salary range Commensurate with qualification and experience. Benefits included. California Bar Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. People of color and other diverse backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities

• Brand Strategy: The organization is about to publicly unveil a comprehensive rebrand. The Executive Director will provide leadership and tactical implementation of this new brand as it relates to programmatic growth/quality, fund development, and communications/media/public relations.
• Program Strategy: Provide oversight to ensure that, in addition to helping meet the operational goals of the organization, all new and existing programs also work to strengthen the strategic and brand goals.
• Public Relations: Serve as the public face of the organization, including panels, speeches, statements, and written editorials. Lead all marketing and messaging strategy, in partnership with Communications staff.
• Fund Development: Supervise all fund development activities, including annual fund, law firm, and corporate campaigns. Lead all fundraising strategy, in partnership with Development staff.
• Financial Management: Prepare approximately $2 million annual budget and manage the organizational resources within budgetary guidelines. With the support of an accounting consultant, oversee daily financial operations, implement internal financial controls, and ensure yearly audit is conducted.
• Board Support: Serve as primary staff liaison with the Board of Directors, including regular communication regarding the organization’s operations, programs, and fund development.

Qualifications

• Fearless drive and commitment to the organization’s mission to build a better justice system for all Californians;
• Deep knowledge of California’s legal community, including law firms, legal services organizations, law schools, the courts, and both the civil and criminal justice systems;
• D. strongly preferred;
• Fundraising experience, including annual solicitation, major gifts, donor relations, direct mail, and social media fundraising;
• Five or more years of nonprofit/philanthropic management, or other relevant experience;
• Excellent communication skills; public speaking experience a plus;
• Superior organizational skills, attention to detail, responsiveness, and follow-through;
• Experience leading, growing, and inspiring a highly effective team;

Excellent database and office skills (Excel, Word, Salesforce)