Executive Director

~ The Eastern Environmental Law Center (EELC) is a New Jersey based nonprofit public interest environmental law center that provides pro bono and public interest rate legal services to the environmental and conservation communities in New Jersey and throughout the region. ~

Position Overview

EELC seeks an experienced, dynamic, and innovative Executive Director to lead our environmental litigation public interest team. Based in Newark, NJ, this highly-visible role leads and directs the staff to ensure the organization’s goals and mission are achieved.

As the face of the EELC, this role also cultivates and manages clients, foundations, individual donors, enhances environmental organizations as well as community presence and establishes partner relationships. The Executive Director reports to a highly engaged and experienced Board of Directors and oversees all aspects of the organization, from strategy to fundraising to internal leadership.

Responsibilities

Key Responsibilities for this position include, but are not limited to, the following:

Leadership and Management

• Provide visionary and compassionate leadership and maintain a participatory and collaborative culture that attracts, retains, and motivates a diverse and talented legal and support staff.
• Develop strategic plans and annual operating goals with the Legal Director, Development Director and Board of Directors. Ensure staff accountability on progress toward goals and objectives. Serve as the primary liaison between the Board of Directors and staff.
• Develop overarching strategic plans that integrate current expertise with opportunities for growth and new directions for the organization.
• Provides leadership to ensure that the litigation goals align with the organizational mission.

Legal, Fundraising, Resource Development, and Fiscal Management

• While not necessarily a lawyer, this position must be able to work daily with a litigation focused staff to meet organizational goals.
• Work closely with the Development Director and the Board of Directors to lead the organization’s diversified fundraising program.
• Actively and directly engage in fundraising by making major financial solicitations, cultivating relationships with individual donors, foundations, and other external stakeholders.
• Maintain and deepen relationships with the EELC’s highest level and most committed supporters.
• Work closely with the Board to develop long and short-range financial plans, make major financial decisions for the organization, and provide regular updates to the Board on financial matters.

Manage External Relationships for the Organization

• Promote the mission, objectives, policies, and programs of the organization to external stakeholders, including clients, peer organizations, policymakers, and other key constituents, including as a key spokesperson at public events and in the press.
• Work in collaboration with the Development Director to maintain and protect the organization’s brand and messaging.

Lead Overall Programmatic Direction

• Work in collaboration with the Development Director and Board to identify resources and support.
• Collaborate with the Board to set and guide strategic direction required to achieve vision and goals.
• Communicate progress on programmatic initiatives to the Board of Directors.
• Ensure EELC’s consistent achievement of its mission, organizational and financial stability, legal compliance and function.

Preferred Qualifications and Experience

• The Executive Director will be a passionate, accomplished leader with practical and substantive experience in a non-profit environment.
• The ideal candidate will have at least 15 years of relevant experience, a demonstrated ability to manage a dynamic and evolving legal organization, and significant fundraising experience. 
• A law degree and environmental litigation experience is a plus but not necessary.

To Apply

• Please click "Apply" below to email resume and cover letter in confidence to: Edward Lloyd, Co-Chair, Board of Directors, Eastern Environmental Law Center.
• No phone calls please.

EELC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value diversity and our programs and employment are open to all. We offer a friendly, team-based environment, competitive salaries, and an excellent benefits package.