Celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2024, the Virginia Law Foundation (VLF) (virginialawfoundation.org) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that believes that no resident of Virginia should ever be denied meaningful access to justice. Its mission is “To promote through philanthropy, the Rule of Law, access to justice, and law-related education.” The VLF is highly respected for its Grants program, the Fellows Program, and Virginia CLE.
The Grants program supports law-related projects throughout the Commonwealth and has provided more than $29.4 million in grants to support projects throughout the Commonwealth that facilitate access to justice, promote appreciation for and understanding of The Rule of Law, and provide law-related education in support of these ideals. The Fellows Program encourages civic-mindedness and recognizes excellence in the practice of law as well as public and professional service. VLF is proud to have more than 775 Fellows who are committed to the highest ideals of the law and to the concept of citizen lawyer. Virginia CLE is the educational arm of VLF and the leading provider of continuing education to the Virginia legal community.
The CEO will provide visionary executive leadership and will be responsible for executing and advancing the VLF’s mission and strategic priorities while ensuring financial, operational, and administrative excellence and compliance. Reporting to the Board of Directors, the CEO will work closely with senior leadership, the Board, Fellows, and external stakeholders to ensure alignment with the organization’s goals and values and to conduct the work of the organization, enhancing the VLF’s brand and standing.
The successful candidate will be passionate about engaging with Virginia’s legal community, donors and potential donors, partners, and the Board as well as nurturing a high-performance team of more than 30 dedicated employees, and two direct reports: the Vice President of Administration and the Vice President of Operations and Development. Residency in the metropolitan areas of Richmond, Virginia or Charlottesville, Virginia will be required.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Education Required:
- Master’s degree preferred in business administration, non-profit management, law, or related field (Juris Doctorate preferred).
- Technical or Professional License(s)/Certification(s): Licensed attorney preferred but not required.
- Minimum of 8 years of progressively responsible leadership experience, preferably in non-profit management, legal education, or philanthropy with a minimum of 5 years at the executive leadership level.
- Strong business and financial acumen and intimate familiarity with budgeting, forecasting, and financial controls;
- Proven record of success in fundraising, donor cultivation, and revenue generation.
- Experience in managing Continuing Legal Education programs or other professional development is highly desirable.
Responsibilities:
- Serves as the top-level executive role of the organization and oversees the day-to-day operations of the organization’s programs and services.
- Provides Strategic Leadership to advance the VLF’s mission, vision, and goals. This includes leading and inspiring senior management and staff, as well as collaborating with the Board of Directors to ensure effective governance and oversight.
- Ensures Development and Management of programmatic excellence, evaluation, and ongoing ROI. This includes ensuring that CLE offerings are innovative, and in compliance with legal standards and regulations. The CEO is charged with cultivating partnerships with legal institutions, bar associations, and subject matter experts to enhance the quality and reach of CLE programs within a highly competitive field.
- Leads the development and execution of a comprehensive Philanthropy and Development strategy to diversity and grow revenue streams, including individual giving, major gifts, corporate sponsorships, and grant funding.
- Provides Strong Financial and Operational Oversight of the VLF’s budgeting, financial forecasting, reporting, and compliance for all aspects of the Foundations’ functions. Because the health and longevity of the Foundation depends on sound business practices, the CEO must have strong business experience and ensure strong internal controls, risk management, and audit processes to protect the VLF’s financial integrity and protect and grow its assets. It is expected that the CLE business arm function in an efficient financial manner and prudently seek to earn revenue that can be invested in the philanthropic arm of the Foundation.
- Ensures effective and compliant Human Resources and Talent Management, including championing a culture of collaboration and staff alignment with organizational goals and values.
- Leads Marketing, Communications, and Public Relations efforts to enhance the VLF’s public profile, engage stakeholders, and promote CLE offerings and philanthropic initiatives.
- Serves as the principal liaison to the Board of Directors, ensuring strong Board Relations and Governance including facilitating communication and alignment between the Board and VLF leadership. Delivers to the Board current monthly financial reports, quarterly financial assessments to budget, and other relevant information concerning the organizations financial health.
- Develops and maintains strategic External Relations and Partnerships with key stakeholders, including law firms, bar associations, corporate sponsors, and philanthropic partners. Serve as the key representative of the VLF in local, state, and national forums to increase its influence within the legal and non-profit communities.
Compensation: $175,000-$215,000 annual base salary hiring range, commensurate with experience, plus eligibility for discretionary bonus.
Benefits: Employees of the VLF enjoy a highly competitive benefits package. Health, Dental, STD, LTD, and life insurance are 100% company-paid for the employee, with discounted cost to add dependents. Two other stand-out elements of that package are the annual 10% employer contribution to each eligible employee’s 403(b) account regardless of any contribution by the employee and paid time off and holidays.
If you are interested in this outstanding opportunity or are aware of a stellar candidate who would excel in this role based on the description above, please submit a resume and cover letter detailing your related experience, qualifications, and salary requirements to: Nisenson Consulting LLC at amy.nisenson@gmail.com no later than November 8, 2024. Questions should be directed to Amy Nisenson at (804) 307-4653. All inquiries are confidential.
Equal Employment Opportunity: Virginia Law Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value diversity and are committed to fostering an inclusive and respectful environment for all our employees.
