Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education, Inc. (MCLE) has opened a search for an Executive Director responsible for developing, articulating, and implementing a comprehensive program of continuing education for lawyers by managing seminar, publication, technology, and supporting staff in accordance with the directives of the Board of Trustees. The Executive Director is also responsible for driving the strategic plan and direction of the organization, identifying new products and services, integrating emerging technologies, and managing the long-range philanthropy plan to further MCLE's mission and goals. Additionally, the Executive Director represents Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education in its relationships with the courts and other law-related entities on a statewide, national, and international basis.
The Executive Director reports to the Board of Trustees and is accountable for the success at implementing the objectives and policies of the organization, the year-over-year financial performance of the organization, and the success at building and developing effective working relationships with both internal and external stakeholders.
Position begins January 1, 2023; applications accepted until June 30, 2022.
MCLE is a nonprofit corporation organized pursuant to Chapter 180 of the Massachusetts General Laws and Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. It is governed by a board of trustees and assisted by curriculum advisory committees addressing nine distinct areas of legal practice. MCLE employs a staff of 32 professionals in educational programming, publishing, technology—including eight staff attorneys—and operates on an annual budget of $5 million.
MCLE is the Massachusetts legal community’s premier provider of hands-on educational programs and reference materials. Its particular focus is applied law: practical, highly concrete training for attorneys in the essential elements of professional practice.
MCLE’s mission is to keep raising the caliber of lawyers’ professional and ethical service by providing comprehensive and practical continuing legal education of the highest quality to the broadest possible audience. In fulfilling this mission, MCLE presents more than 200 programs annually, in a variety of in-person and online formats; publishes more than 160 practice manuals, available as e-books as well as in print; and offers an online subscription product (the MCLE OnlinePass®) with unlimited access to all of its webcast programs and its entire book collection.
A not-for-profit, 501(c)(3) educational institution, MCLE relies on sponsor membership dues to help subsidize its ongoing research and development and on charitable donations to expand access to continuing legal education. MCLE awards approximately 1,300 tuition scholarships each year to legal services staff attorneys, practitioners accepting pro bono cases, and lawyers certifying financial need.
Job Responsibilities:
Sets and drives the strategic plan and direction of the organization.
Proposes and implements the objectives and policies of the organization.
Outlines, develops, and refines the curriculum in accordance with the organization’s mission to provide CLE content primarily to the Massachusetts bar.
Hires, fires, and recommends compensation of all personnel, within the budget approved by the Board of Trustees.
Defines the duties of staff members, supervises their performance, and delegates management duties in the best interest of the organization.
Presents annual budget for approval and administers the budget as approved by the Board of Trustees.
Responsible for the oversight and implementation of MCLE's investment policy.
Sets annual fundraising goals; creates and implements plans to achieve those goals.
Maintains key relationships with bar leadership and other continuing legal education organizations, and represents MCLE in national activities for CLE administrators, educators, and legal organizations.
Carries out other specific duties as directed by the Board of Trustees.
Qualifications:
A Juris Doctor or equivalent legal degree.
A demonstrated understanding of, and commitment to, the practice of law and to continuing professional education.
Proven ability to set a successful strategic direction, allowing the organization to thrive and respond to changing trends, technologies, and customer needs.
Record of success in identifying and meeting market needs for continuing professional education, including live programming, print publishing, and online content delivery and research, using viable business models.
Knowledge of capital campaign fundraising, major gift solicitation, planned and deferred giving, donor recognition, and stewardship.
Proven ability to recruit and develop a strong team of professionals, matching staff skills to organizational needs.
Record of success in forging strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
Ability to generate and present clear and concise narrative reports.
Excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to initiate, motivate, and maintain collaborative, effective working relationships with employees and the public, including the ability to interact with others in a direct, cooperative, and tactful manner with a professional demeanor.
A minimum of 5 years in a management position with a self-supporting non-profit or for-profit organization with annual budget of $4 Million+.
