Executive Director

Alaska Legal Services Corporation (ALSC) seeks a compassionate leader dedicated to providing access to justice to serve as its next executive director. This executive director position offers the unique opportunity to lead an organization with a strong state-wide reputation built on decades of exemplary client services and community partnerships. As the external face and principal executive of ALSC, the executive director will guide the organization through an exciting phase of growth as it honors its commitment to community justice and innovation. Specifically, ALSC is launching the Community Justice Workers Resource Center, a nationally-recognized model, and is poised for the growth of other programs built to respond to the evolving needs of its clients. The ideal candidate for ALSC’s next executive director will come with senior leadership experience in organizations of similar size and complexity, demonstrated abilities leading collaborative and supportive teams, and a personal commitment to ALSC’s mission and values.

While no one candidate will embody all the qualifications enumerated below, the ideal candidate will possess many of the following professional and personal abilities, attributes, and experiences:

• A personal belief that everyone deserves access to justice and a commitment to community-centered advocacy.
• Ability to understand the legal justice issues facing underserved Alaskans required; law degree and experience practicing law preferred.
• At least 5 years of senior leadership experience within organizations of similar complexity and size.
• Demonstrated experience coaching, managing, and developing high-performing teams and nurturing a collaborative workplace culture.
• Experience working with Tribes and Indigenous communities; specific experience working with Alaska Native communities a plus.
• Ability to leverage critical thinking skills, creativity, and innovation to make impactful, strategic decisions.
• A track record demonstrating proficiency in management of complex budgets in excess of $1 million.
• A history of building and maintaining strong working relationships with diverse constituencies, including staff, board members, decision-makers, community leaders, and partner organizations.
• Experience advancing equity and culturally appropriate, community-based approaches to work.
• Strong interpersonal communication skills that inspire action and encourage feedback.
• Ability to travel up to 25-50% of the time; candidates in locations other than Anchorage may require more travel.

The executive director is the external face and principal executive of ALSC and oversees its day-to-day affairs. Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Working with the board, support the development of organizational goals and priorities to meet the evolving needs of ALSC’s clients and low-income and disadvantaged Alaskans.
• Work with staff and ALSC’s leadership team to develop and maintain plans, programs, and practices that serve the organization’s mission and goals while providing effective, compassionate legal services.
• In partnership with ALSC’s leadership team, help nurture a supportive and collaborative workplace culture that exemplifies the organizational values of ALSC’s values of empowerment, justice, respect, compassion, innovation, and staying power.
• Oversee efforts to secure funding or other financial resources and management of organizational budget; ensure that commitments made to funding sources or conditions imposed upon funds are met, including grant guidelines, conditions, and reporting requirements.
• Steward positive, productive external relationships with local, state, and national partners and leaders including the legal community, governmental and community organizations, Tribes, and funders.
• Foster a culture of compassionate customer service and support staff to meet client needs and respond to and resolve client grievances.
• Support board activities and board meetings and provide the board with periodic operational and financial reports.

Executive Priorities

The incoming executive director will focus on the following priorities over the first twelve to eighteen months:

• Cultivate key relationships with board, staff, and community partners and learn about the many ways that ALSC expands justice across the state.
• Focus on the on-going success of ALSC’s foundational programs and services while ensuring the implementation and integration of the brand-new Community Justice Worker Resource Center.
• Continue to build and nurture practices, structures, and culture to attract and retain high quality staff in order to meet the immense need for legal aid in Alaska communities.
• Advocate for continued investments from federal, state, tribal, and local partners to maintain ALSC’s strong financial position.

$120,000-157,000 annually