Legal Aid Chief Operating Officer (Springfield or Worcester)
Springfield or Worcester, MA
Community Legal Aid (CLA), the free civil legal aid organization serving the low-income and elderly residents of Central and Western Massachusetts, seeks a Chief Operating Officer (COO). CLA is a fiscally sound, administratively strong agency supported by a dedicated staff, management team, and Board of Directors. CLA has approximately 180 staff working across multiple offices, and a budget of over $25 million.
The COO will be an integral part of CLA’s senior management team and will:
- Act as a cross-functional leader responsible for proposing and implementing solutions to the HR, operational, IT, financial, and day-to-day administrative needs of the organization.
- Supervise other members of the management team as identified by the Executive Director and ensure effective collaboration among managers, smooth functioning of units or departments, appropriate distribution of work, and fulfillment of the organization’s mission.
- Advise the Executive Director regarding opportunities for continued improvement of the organization’s performance, including review and update of policies and procedures.
- Work with other managers and staff to ensure that the workplace culture is consistent with CLA’s values of excellence, effectiveness, teamwork, diversity, equity, and inclusion.
- Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal employment laws and regulations.
- Work with union representatives regarding collective bargaining agreements, staff grievances, and arbitration, in collaboration with the Executive Director.
- Assist the Deputy Director, Director of Client Access, and grants department in overseeing the organization’s grants’ compliance responsibilities and adherence to all relevant funder requirements.
- Provide additional assistance as requested by the Executive Director.
The COO will work in CLA’s Worcester or Springfield office, and travel between CLA’s other offices in Central and Western Mass. as needed.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Passion for CLA’s mission and prior significant experience in the management, administration, and leadership of a non-profit legal or human services program, preferably serving low-income or vulnerable communities.
- J.D. a plus. Preference for someone with prior, significant experience in one or more of CLA’s substantive practice areas.
- Possesses unquestionable personal and professional integrity, commitment to equity, and a growth mindset.
- Demonstrated experience handling sensitive, confidential situations and information.
- Track record of effective working relationships with diverse employees at all levels.
- Excellent interpersonal, analytical and communication skills, both written and spoken.
- Experience working with unionized staff and collective bargaining agreements.
COMPENSATION: The salary range is $125,000 – $160,000 a year, depending on experience. CLA offers a very generous benefits package that includes 401(k) with employer-paid contribution; low-cost health insurance (medical, dental, and vision) for employees and their dependents; malpractice insurance; paid leave (4 weeks vacation, 3 personal days, 12 sick days, and 13 holidays); law school loan repayment assistance; and relocation stipend. CLA has a hybrid work environment and requires advocates to work in their assigned office at least three days per week.
APPLICATION PROCESS: Please submit your resume and cover letter online . Alternatively, you can submit your application to iliu@cla-ma.org or mail to Ingrid Liu, Recruitment Coordinator, Community Legal Aid, 370 Main Street, Worcester, MA 01608.
CLA is an Equal Opportunity Employer and strives to ensure that our staff members reflect the diversity of the communities we serve. CLA encourages applicants from a broad range of backgrounds and experiences.
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