Executive Director San Diego County Bar Association

The Board of Directors of the San Diego County Bar Association (SDCBA) is seeking to hire the organization’s next Executive Director.

The Organization

Founded in 1899 and nearly 7,000 members strong, the SDCBA is the region’s oldest and largest law- related organization and is the second largest voluntary metro bar association in California. The Board and the 20-member staff work together to implement the SDCBA’s mission “to connect lawyers and support their success and fulfillment.” Its core values are: Inclusion, Community, Innovation, Leadership, Growth and Celebration. Its current strategic goals are:

• Sustain, grow, and engage membership;
• Provide unique and relevant programming, benefits, and services;
• Use our platform to advance community impact;
• Promote and support the well-being of the legal community;
• Build lawyers as leaders in the profession and in our community;
• Achieve diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in the legal community; and
• Ensure financial and organizational sustainability.

The SDCBA is governed by a 20-member Board that meets regularly. The SDCBA is fortunate to have an active membership that leads and participates in 27 sections, 21 committees, and 2 divisions. Sections provide education and information on substantive areas of the law, while committees and divisions give support to SDCBA governance, the legal profession, and the San Diego community.

The SDCBA produces one bi-monthly magazine and four electronic newsletters.
The SDCBA is fortunate enough to own its own building which houses its new Bar Center.

Job Summary

The Executive Director is the San Diego County Bar Association’s highest ranking paid staff member. The Executive Director is accountable to the Board of Directors for implementing the SDCBA’s priorities, policies, goals, and objectives as established by the Board, and as set forth in the Bylaws and Policy Manual. The Executive Director’s duties include, but are not limited to: overseeing and directing the day- to-day operations of the SDCBA; establishing the internal team’s organizational structure; managing aspects of human resources and hiring; establishing and updating policies for the SDCBA’s internal team; developing and implementing effective programming and services to support the SDCBA’s mission, core values, and strategic goals; establishing operational policies and procedures for the SDCBA; expertly managing and directing the finances and assets of the SDCBA pursuant to Board policy and authority; and advising the Board and other volunteer entities in areas of policy development, program development, and issues management.

Essential Job Duties

Leadership, Administrative, and Financial: working with Board on strategic planning and fulfillment of the organization’s mission.

• Establish and implement appropriate policies and procedures for the organization;
• Ensure the financial health of the organization by managing all finances and assets of the SDCBA, including the annual preparation of a one-year budget (current operating expenses of approximately $4.0 million, exclusive of investment income) and long-range forecast of needs;
• Maintain the financial integrity of the SDCBA by aligning the budget with the mission, core values, and strategic plan;
• Coordinate and participate in meetings of the Board, including preparing, with the President, agendas for the Executive Committee and Board meetings. Ensure that necessary information is obtained, organized and presented to the Board in a manner that supports sound decision-making. Provide reports at each Board meeting, along with recommendations;
• Monitor and assist the Board, sections, committees, and divisions by providing, in a timely and accurate manner, information necessary for decision-makers to make informed decisions; and
• Keep the officers and section, committee, and division chairpersons current on new trends in association management, bar association leadership, and programs and projects underway in similarly situated bar associations.

Member services: working with the SDCBA’s volunteer leadership and internal team to ensure that the mission is fulfilled through programs and outreach to membership.

• Contribute to and supervise an effective program of membership development and member services;
• Contribute to and supervise a publications program that is responsive to the needs of the membership;
• Contribute to and supervise the execution of successful CLE and other educational programs and member networking opportunities/social events; and
• Ensure adherence to policies by volunteers and the internal team.

Oversight and management of internal team and consultants: overseeing and implementing appropriate resources to ensure that the operations of the organization are well run.

• Manage the recruiting, hiring, training, and discharge of all employees of the SDCBA’s internal team, and administer an effective personnel program that includes position descriptions, performance standards, performance reviews, and a compensation system with an eye towards retention of talent;
• Create and sustain an engaging and fulfilling organizational culture that attracts and retains a talented and dedicated team, and fosters innovation, collaboration, efficiency, and fulfillment; and
• Assess, authorize, and execute contracts and commitments; retain and oversee consultants to assist with SDCBA goals as needed.

External relations: enhancing the SDCBA’s image by being active and visible in the community and working closely with partner organizations.

• Maintain effective internal and external public relations;
• Represent the SDCBA at appropriate official functions on the local, state, and national level;
• Serve as spokesperson for the SDCBA where appropriate and in the absence of the President;
• Maintain personal contact with the American Bar Association, State Bar of California, California Lawyers Association, other state and local bar associations, and the general membership to the greatest degree possible to monitor issues relevant to the work of the SDCBA;
• Maintain appropriate relationships with courts, government, public service organizations, sponsors, SDCBA 100% Club firms, and vendors to enhance the image of the SDCBA and the attainment of its objectives; and
• Ensure a positive and engaging experience for all SDCBA stakeholders: volunteers, membership, staff, vendors, the legal community, and the public we serve.

From time to time, the Board may direct the Executive Director to perform other duties.

Education, Experience and Required Skills

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree is required; postgraduate degree, such as a Master’s degree or Juris Doctor degree, is a plus;
• At least 10 years of experience managing direct-report staff and a large number of volunteers;
• At least 10 years paid executive leadership experience, preferably serving an organization of similar size and/or complexity;
• Senior-level business and financial management experience and acumen;
• Strong public speaking and writing skills;
• Strong diplomacy and ambassadorship skills; and
• Proficiency with technology including Zoom, MS Teams, Microsoft 365, and other information management software.

Additionally, the ideal SDCBA Executive Director candidate will have the following characteristics and qualities:

• Proactive leader with solid experience in high-level strategic vision, planning, and execution;
• Diplomat who unites and inspires the internal team, Board, section leaders, committee leaders, division leaders, and members;
• Effective communicator who projects positive energy and charisma and exemplifies integrity;
• Coach/mentor-type who develops professional team members;
• Strong leader who fosters and advances a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility;
• Organized manager who is efficient and proactive;
• Strong public speaker who can communicate confidently and convincingly with stakeholders;
• Team builder who can balance conflicting needs and work with diverse personalities; and
• Decisive manager who also leads with empathy and compassion.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of the job:

• The employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, bend, lift, and carry objects (up to 10 pounds). Job requires strong English language verbal and written communication skills. Computer, telephone, and other office equipment use is required;
• Some local and national travel is associated with the job; and
• In-office attendance at the SDCBA’s downtown San Diego location, as well as event participation outside of the office, is required.

Hours, Salary, and Benefits

Full-time exempt position. Frequent evening and occasional weekend hours will be necessary. Benefits include medical and dental insurance, vacation, holiday, and sick pay, and 401k-type retirement account. The annual salary range will be from $210,000 to $237,500. Annual salary will be determined based on qualifications.

Location

This is a full-time, in-person position, and the Executive Director must be prepared to work in the greater San Diego area. Occasional travel to regional and national conferences will also be required.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The SDCBA is an Equal Opportunity Employer and abides by all local, state, and federal employment laws and regulations.