The LCE Executive Director provides overall strategic direction and leadership and end ensures high quality legal advocacy for Legal Counsel for the Elderly, a legal aid program, an affiliate of AARP, consisting of 65 employees, including 32 attorneys, primarily providing legal services to low and moderate income older DC residents. Program also provides extensive long-term care ombudsman services, an extensive pro bono component both for individual cases and systemic reform, and a large community education program especially in the area of Medicare. Position reports to a 12 member Board of Directors and a 20 member Advisory Committee in addition to reporting to the AARP Senior Vice President for States and Communities. Maintains fiscal and operational integrity of the program and supervises a business manager, development director, six supervising attorneys and the director of the long-term care ombudsman program.
Areas of Responsibility:
- Direct and manage complex multi-faceted legal services program involving systemic litigation and a high volume of individual legal cases, as well as the long-term care ombudsman program for the District of Columbia, an extensive pro bono program, innovative legal delivery systems, and legal advocacy projects on behalf of LCE and its constituents, AARP and its members, or individual older persons.
- Provides litigation support to all attorneys and oversees and ensures the quality of all legal work conducted. Publicizes and promotes cases to achieve high visibility for the work.
- Guide LCE strategically to ensure that activities are in accordance with the mission and that current strategic plan is being implemented;
- Work with Development Director and others to make recommendations concerning LCE Board appointments and orientation and training as needed as well as fund-raising strategies and direction;
- Prepare Board meeting agendas in conjunction with Board Chair; ensure that Board meetings have quorums, minutes are taken, audits approved, budgets reviewed, and Board service terms are up to date and Board is regularly kept abreast of significant LCE developments as well as adhering to all other legal requirements of a non-profit 501 (c)(3) Board;
- Apprise Board regularly of LCE activities through e-mail or otherwise during the time periods between Board meetings;
- With business manager, prepare annual LCE budget and regularly monitor expenses to ensure all grant budgets and overall budgets are on track in conjunction with business manager;
- Maintain and expand relationships with existing and potential funders-AARP, individual, law firm, foundation, government grants and other sources of support;
- Ensure that all personnel related functions of LCE (hiring, firing, coaching, professional development, performance reviews, promotion, salaries and related areas) are carried out in a timely and appropriate manner;
- Convene regular meetings of the LCE Leadership Team to deal with office-wide issues and ensure that information at such meetings is made available to the LCE staff in a timely manner;
- Convene regular meetings of case handling staff to discuss emerging issues, difficult cases and upcoming events;
- Convene quarterly LCE all-staff meetings and provide updates to all staff regarding significant developments at LCE and AARP;
- Serve as primary contact for outside entities-funders, collaborating agencies, sister legal aid programs both in DC and nationally, and national organizations providing back-up support and networking for legal service programs;
- Serve as Legal Assistance Developer for DC (appointed by DCOA); in current capacity, functions include regular recruitment of pro bono firms, networking with other legal service programs and writing and publishing at least two articles a year on issues related to legal services delivery.
- Communicates regularly with AARP, including the AARP DC State Office to ensure alignment and assure mutual understanding of work and priorities of both entities;
- Models AARP values in all interactions
POSITION COMPLEXITY, INTERACTION & IMPACT
- Positions at this level exercise strategic latitude to accomplish assigned work duties and responsibilities.
- Position contributes significantly to the achievement of AARP’s goals and objectives.
- Exercise a high level of autonomy and independent judgment and has the ability to navigate through complex, sensitive, and confidential legal issues. Sensitive and empathetic to elder population and their legal and social issues. Coordinates with LCE’s development director to maximize contributions to LCE, including from private sources. Position has final responsibility for all financial and budgetary actions taken by LCE. Regularly directs LCE staff responsibilities and is primary interface for client grievances.
- Position interacts regularly with LCE Board of Directors and Advisory Board members as well as occasional AARP Executive and Leadership Team members. In addition, position interacts with outside agencies and community groups to further the brand and mission of AARP/LCE.
Educational Background:
Completion of a Juris Doctorate and a member in good standing or eligible to apply to the DC Bar,
Skills/Experience:
- 15 years of experience, including 10 years of legal practice and 7 years of management experience, preferably in managing public interest attorneys. Experience on housing, SSI, Medicare preferred.
- Experience in procuring, monitoring, and evaluating government and foundation grants.
- Demonstrated commitment to serving the interests of low income persons.
- Excellent interpersonal skills to work collaboratively with a variety of personalities and work styles. Ability to influence all levels of management. Demonstrated diplomatic, networking, and delegation skills.
- Detailed knowledge of AARP’s strategic issues and directions.
Compensation/Benefits:
AARP offers competitive benefits with a 401K, 100% company funded pension plan, health, dental, vision and life insurance, STD/LTD, paid vacation and sick, and other benefits.
Job Function:
Organization Info
Listing Stats
Post Date:
Jun 3 2018
Active Until:
Jul 3 2018
Hiring Organization:
AARP
industry:
Nonprofit