Children and the Law - Deputy Director

The American Bar Association (ABA) was founded on a commitment to advance the rule of law in the United States and beyond by providing practical resources for legal professionals, conducting law school accreditation, developing model ethics codes and more. Today, the ABA remains a member-based organization that works to ensure access to justice for all, a fair legal process, and respect for the rule of law at home and across the globe.

The ABA is committed to service and refining the standards that guide the legal profession. ABA staff are provided multiple types of continuing education and career development opportunities. Your work will help eliminate bias, enhance diversity, and advance the rule of law throughout the US and around the world.

The ABA recognizes the value staff contribute to our success through a generous benefits package that protects their health and their financial security. The ABA's wide array of benefit offerings include 401(k), medical, dental, vision, flexible spending accounts, health spending accounts, supplemental life and disability insurance, prepaid legal programs, and a complimentary membership to the American Bar Association, which offers additional benefits.

Flexible/hybrid work arrangements may be available for residents of CA, DC, IL, IN, IA, MD, MI, MN, TX, VA, and WI. Residency requirements may apply. ABA employees are eligible to apply for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF).

Job Summary/General Purpose of Job

• The Deputy Director will partner with the Center Director to manage a diverse portfolio of grant projects and core operations, support a 24-person team, and advance ABA-wide initiatives that help the Center's mission of promoting access to justice for children, parents and families across the country. As part of the preeminent national association of over 300,000 lawyers, judges, legal educators, and law students, the ABA Center on Children and the Law provides a unique platform to accomplish this mission.

Essential Job Functions and Responsibilities (listed in order of importance and/or time spent)

• Partner in leading and setting a strategic vision for the Center's overall business operations with annual and multi-year growth projections.
• Coordinate all management tasks across a diverse portfolio of roughly thirty unique funding streams annually, including federal, state, and private philanthropic sources of support.
• Serve as the primary day-to-day liaison for Center Program Directors in facilitating the business needs of managing complex grant portfolios in each of our programmatic areas.
• Review and approve Center business transactions.
• Work with the Director and program teams to identify, apply for, and secure new grant and contract funding as part of continued growth for the Center.
• Identify areas for cross-project program coordination and shared services that support the Center's larger goals to increase the impact of our work promoting access to justice for children, parents and families.
• Liaise with other ABA departments such as Human Resources, Financial Services, and General Counsel as well as substantive entities in other ABA sections, divisions, and commissions.
• Supervise all core operations team members, including those in communications, events, and financial management roles.
• Play a key role in recruitment, hiring, orientation and professional development of staff, including through identifying and implementing management and leadership training opportunities for core and program staff.
• Provide ongoing mentoring, consultation, and leadership support for all core and program staff.
• Represent the Center at meetings and conferences both within and outside the ABA.
• Collaborate with other organizations in the child welfare legal community, both governmental and non-governmental to build the Center's network of professional partners.
• Support enhanced communications strategies for elevating the Center's visibility.
• Support national conference planning efforts for the Center and the Association.
• Partner with ABA members and colleagues in leadership across other ABA entities to ensure the Center's work is closely coordinated with ABA goals and objectives.
• Assist in development and implementation of law-related policies and best practices, many for consideration by the ABA House of Delegates to become ABA supported policies.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Required Education, Qualifications Experience

• Possession of a Juris Doctorate or LLM from an ABA-accredited law school with licensure to practice in at least one state.
• Minimum 8 years in law practice or equivalent substantive experience in areas of law and policy relevant to the entity.
• Leadership experience in a nonprofit setting.
• Strategic planning experience with resource development across a diverse portfolio of funding streams.
• Prior experience managing project budgets including grants and contracts.
• Experience in resource development, program conception and management, and supervision of employees.

• Excellent demonstrated skills in mentoring, training, and development of professional staff with varying experience levels.

• Experience supervising employees which must have included goal setting, performance management/feedback, and hiring/termination of staff.
• Highly proficient in Excel. Intermediate proficiency in both the Microsoft Office Suite of products and with Google tools and products.
• Excellent communication skills, through speaking, writing, and social media.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment and work well with a variety of constituencies including partners, funders, and customers.

All applications must be submitted online. To apply for this position please click here. When applying please include a cover letter and resume in one document when uploading on the ABA site. Applicants are encouraged to demonstrate a commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion in prior advocacy related to children, parents, and families.

The American Bar Association is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Women, minorities, veterans, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act (ADAAA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position with the American Bar Association, please call [redacted].

Other details

• Job Family Center for Human Rights Jobs
• Pay Type Salary
• Min Hiring Rate $117,280.00
• Max Hiring Rate $144,156.66

Apply Now