Job Openings at MFY

Overview:
MFY Legal Services, Inc., founded in 1963 as part of a large, community-based anti-poverty organization, was incorporated as a independent legal services organization in 1968. MFY pioneered the concept and practice of neighborhood-based legal services for the poor, and its model was emulated throughout the United States when the Legal Services Corporation was established in 1976. For 45 years, MFY Legal Services has provided advice, counsel and representation to tens of thousands of low-income New Yorkers in the areas of housing, government benefits, disability rights, employment, consumer, elder law and family law. MFY operates the largest civil legal practice for mental health consumers in the country, and has a long history of affirmative litigation, from the landmark Goldberg v. Kelly in 1972 to more recent victories on behalf of mental health consumers.

MFY withdrew from the federally-funded Legal Services Corporation in 2003 in order to be able to continue to use all legal means to defend our clients. MFY has grown steadily over the past four years, increasing revenue and adding new programs and staff. xToday, MFY has a budget of $4.5 million and 40 staff members, including staff attorneys and supervising attorneys, paralegals, organizers and social workers. MFY handles close to 5,000 cases yearly,

Challenges for the Next Executive Director:
The next Executive Director will inherit a vibrant, growing and highly respected legal services organization. The core challenge will be to ensure continuity of funding in a competitive environment and to successfully manage growth to advance MFY’s mission to ensure greater access to justice for low-income New Yorkers. To that end, the Executive Director will work to raise the visibility of the organization and establish solid relationships with funders, elected officials, the private bar, and community organizations, and explore new service delivery models, including fee-generating services.

The Executive Director will have the following responsibilities and priorities:

External Relations

• Establish good working relationships and collaborative arrangements with community groups, funders, elected officials, independent legal services providers, the private bar, and other organizations to help achieve MFY’s goals and promote greater public investment in free legal services for the poor.
• Communicate with stakeholders to keep them informed of the work of the organization and to identify changes and trends in the constituencies served by MFY.
• Serve as spokesperson for MFY, articulating its vision and goals to key constituents and the media.
• Publicize the activities of MFY, its programs, and goals. Ensure an appropriate public face for MFY and oversee outreach activities.

Fund Raising

• Set fundraising goals in collaboration with the Board, with an effort to diversify, maintain and increase revenue, and generate additional unrestricted income. Cultivate effective relationships with current and prospective supporters. Ensure annual fundraising goals are set, managed and achieved.
• Expand on and leverage key relationships with funders and elected officials to identify additional revenue streams.
• Work with consultant on fundraising events.

Leadership/Governance

• With the Board of Directors, develop a vision and strategic plan to guide the organization.
• Identify, assess, and inform the Board of Directors of internal and external issues that affect MFY.
• Foster effective team work between the Board and Executive Director and between the Executive Director and staff.
• Help the Board articulate its own role and accountabilities and that of its committees and individual members, and helps evaluate performance regularly.
• Provide support to the Board by preparing meeting agenda and supporting materials.
• With Board and MFY’s Executive Committee, develop current and long-term organizational goals and objectives as well as policies and procedures for MFY operations. Establish plans to achieve goals set by the Board of Directors and implement policies approved by the Board.
• Oversee program planning, implementation and evaluation. Provide leadership in developing program, organizational and financial plans with the Board of Directors and staff, and carry out plans and policies authorized by the Board.
• Develops good working relationships with LSSA Local 2320 and MFY’s union representatives and lead contract negotiations.
• Help create and inspire team spirit.

Strategic Planning

• Engage the Board in setting the policy and strategic direction of MFY; inform and educate the Board on relevant issues.
• Keep abreast of the legal needs of MFY’s constituents, gaps in service, and trends in funding.
• Assure that MFY’s future vision evolves to meet the legal challenges facing low-income New Yorkers.
• Initiate discussions and invite input from MFY staff on strategic planning issues.
• Keep informed of developments in not-for-profit management and governance, philanthropy and fund development.

Fiscal Management

• Oversee all aspects of MFY’s budget, including managing cash flow and supervising the work of the financial manager and auditor to balance the books and prepare reports and budgets for review by the Board and funders.
• Maintain effective financial reporting, controls, and procedures.
• Review monthly financial status and compile financial reports for Board meetings.
• Work with the staff, Finance Committee and the board at large to develop the annual personnel, operational and project budgets and see that MFY operates with budget guidelines and fulfills contract requirements.

Legal Compliance

• Assure filing of all legal and regulatory documents and monitor compliance with relevant law and regulations

Human Resources

• Foster an effective and positive work environment that attracts, keeps, and motivates a diverse staff of high-quality people.
• Determine staffing requirements for organizational management and program delivery.
• Ensure that job descriptions are developed, that regular performance evaluations are conducted, and that sound human resource practices are in place.
• Ensure that an effective management team, with appropriate provision for succession, is in place. Recruit, hire, and manage necessary staff and volunteers.
• Encourage staff and volunteer development and education.
• Provide supervising attorneys and managers with support, guidance, and supervision.
• Provide mediation and solution-focused suggestions with the goal of resolving problems.
• Promote active and broad participation by pro bono attorneys and other volunteers.

Programmatic & Organizational Oversight

• Oversee the planning, implementation and evaluation of MFY’s programs and services.
• Ensure that MFY’s programs and services contribute to its mission and reflect the priorities of the Board.
• Ensure that MFY meets the expectations of its clients, Board and funders.
• Monitor the day-to-day delivery of services to maintain or improve quality.
• Oversee the planning, implementation, execution and evaluation or new or special projects.

Qualifications:
The successful candidate will be a collaborative leader and an outstanding manager who has demonstrated commitment to social justice and expanding access to justice for the poor. The individual will have a track record of managing an operation of similar size and complexity and success in directing programmatic and financial growth. Although the successful candidate is expected to have solid experience in providing legal services to the poor, it is also possible that candidates might come from other sectors that intersect the legal services field. While no one person will embody all of the qualities and competencies listed below, the ideal candidate will possess many of the following attributes:

• Strong commitment to MFY’s mission.
• A leader who can articulate a vision and motivate people to act with a shared vision.
• Skilled communicator with a strong public speaking presence.
• Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to cultivate relationships that will lead to enhanced funding for the agency and productive partnerships.
• Strong leadership skills, including the ability to develop and execute a strategic plan, think creatively, and solve problems.
• Excellent manager who respects and supports the capabilities and independence of staff and managers, can listen and inspire confidence and trust in staff.
• Cultural sensitivity and the ability to attract, organize, and accommodate people of diverse abilities, cultures, sexual orientation, economic status, race, ethnicity, language and gender.
• Ten years or more experience in senior level management, including working with and developing a board of directors
• Respected reputation as a nonprofit leader with the ability to implement practical strategic plans.
• Established network within the nonprofit funding community, with demonstrable success in cultivating and maintaining relationships with foundations, corporations, government agencies, and individuals.
• Experienced fundraiser for organizations with annual budgets of $1 million or more.
• A law degree is required.

Salary: Competitive, with excellent fringe benefits.

To Apply: Please forward resume, salary history, salary requirements and names of two references to Margaret M. Madden, Esq. c/o Pfizer Inc, 235 East 42nd Street, Mailstop: 150-2-47, New York, New York 10017.

Deadline for applications: June 1, 2008.