Executive Director - The Fund for Modern Courts

Sandler Search; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 145,000 - 165,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid vacation and holidays

Health insurance

401(k) plan

Flexible hybrid work environment

Job summary

The Fund for Modern Courts seeks an Executive Director to lead one of New York’s most respected justice reform organizations. You will serve as CEO, partnering with a Board to shape strategy, advocacy, and long-term priorities.

In this hybrid role, you’ll drive fundraising, external relations, and communications, acting as the organization’s principal spokesperson and building alliances across courts, government, law, philanthropy, and civic life in New York.

Qualifications

• Senior leadership experience in nonprofit, legal, government, public policy, advocacy, or related organization.
• Experience with fundraising, board engagement, and organizational leadership.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Entrepreneurial leadership style with sound judgment and integrity.
• Ability to build relationships across diverse constituencies.
• Interest in public service, access to justice, or improving government institutions; NY familiarity preferred.

Responsibilities

• Set strategic priorities with the Board and advance long-term goals.
• Lead fundraising including major gifts, grants, sponsorships, and events.
• Build relationships with judges, legislators, law firms, bar associations, foundations, civic organizations, and other partners.
• Oversee finances, operations, staff, and governance; ensure execution.
• Partner with the Program Director to align activities with priorities.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Fundraising & board engagement

Communication skills

Relationship building

Mission alignment

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Advanced degree welcomed

Job description

For more than 70 years, The Fund for Modern Courts ("Modern Courts") has been an independent, nonpartisan voice for a fair, accessible, and independent justice system. Through research, public education, advocacy, and civic engagement, Modern Courts works with judges, court leaders, legislators, bar associations, legal services providers, law firms, foundations, civic organizations, and community advocates to advance practical court reform.

ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY

Modern Courts seeks its next Executive Director to lead one of New York’s most respected organizations dedicated to improving the administration of justice. Serving as the organization’s chief executive, the Executive Director will work in close partnership with an engaged Board of Directors to provide strategic leadership and advance Modern Courts’ mission and long-term priorities.

Supported by a full-time Program Director who manages event logistics and back-office operations, the Executive Director will focus on advocacy, fundraising, external relations, communications, and long-term strategy. This leader will serve as Modern Courts’ principal spokesperson and build strong relationships across New York’s legal, civic, philanthropic, and public policy communities.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Leadership & Governance

• Provide strategic leadership in partnership with the Board of Directors, setting priorities and advancing Modern Courts’ long-term strategy.
• Work closely with the Board to support strong governance, organizational leadership, and continued impact.
• Lead fundraising efforts, including major gifts, grants, sponsorships, and signature events.
• Build and sustain relationships with judges, court leaders, legislators, law firms, bar associations, foundations, civic organizations, and other partners.

Policy, Advocacy & Communications

• Advance Modern Courts’ policy and advocacy agenda through research, coalition building, public education, and legislative engagement.
• Serve as the organization’s principal spokesperson, representing Modern Courts with external stakeholders and across the broader community.

Organizational Leadership & Operations

• Oversee the organization’s finances, operations, staff, and governance, ensuring strong stewardship and effective execution.
• Partner with the Program Director to ensure organizational activities, events, and back-office functions support Modern Courts’ strategic priorities.

ABOUT THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE

The ideal candidate is a strategic, entrepreneurial, and mission-driven leader with the judgment, integrity, and relationship-building skills to lead Modern Courts into its next chapter. They will bring strong communication skills, a commitment to public service and access to justice, and the ability to engage effectively across diverse constituencies.

• Leadership & Experience: Senior leadership experience in a nonprofit, legal, government, public policy, advocacy, or related organization.
• Fundraising & Board Engagement: Experience with fundraising, board engagement, and organizational leadership.
• Communication: Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Leadership Style: Strong judgment, integrity, initiative, and an entrepreneurial leadership style.
• Relationship Building: Ability to build relationships across diverse constituencies.
• Mission Alignment: Demonstrated interest in public service, access to justice, or improving government institutions. Familiarity with New York’s courts, government, or public policy is preferred.

EDUCATION:

Bachelor’s degree required. An advanced degree in law, public policy, public administration, nonprofit management, business, or a related field is welcomed but not required.

LOCATION & TRAVEL:

Hybrid within New York State, with regular travel to Albany and New York City.

COMPENSATION:

Salary range is $145,000 to $165,000, commensurate with experience, with eligibility for a performance-based annual bonus as determined by the Board. Modern Courts offers generous paid vacation and holidays, employer-sponsored health insurance, access to a voluntary 401(k) plan, and a flexible hybrid work environment. The Board is open to discussing full-time or part-time arrangements with highly qualified candidates.

The Fund for Modern Courts is an Equal Opportunity Employer and welcomes applicants of all backgrounds. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States.