EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
EXECUTIVE RECRUITMENT
Conducted by
Executive Search Consultants
Connecting Leaders; Affecting Change
GREATER NEW ORLEANS COMMUNITY
New Orleans is a city on the move. The Wall Street Journal named New Orleans the #1 Most Improved
Metro on the 2011 “Best Cities for Business.” The U.S. Census Bureau indicates that New Orleans has
experienced an unprecedented growth becoming the fastest-growing major city in America since
2010. According to Forbes: New Orleans was named the #1 Metro for IT Job Growth in the USA; New
Orleans ranked #1 on the list of “America’s Biggest Brain Magnets” for attracting people under 25
with college degrees; and New Orleans was named the #2 Best Big City for a Job.
The Greater New Orleans region consists of 10 parishes: Jefferson, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard,
St. Charles, St. James, St. John the Baptist, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, and Washington parishes. The
New Orleans metro area, with 1,205,374 residents, has rebounded to 92 % of its 2000 population of
1,316,510.
New Orleans has a well-deserved reputation for food. There are more than 3000 restaurants in the
city, many of which have been owned and operated by the same families for generations. Creole and
Cajun are the predominant flavors but there are many ethnic restaurants that feature foods from
throughout the world. The City consistently is rated one of the top cities for food by national and
international publications. Always hospitable, New Orleans has opened its doors extra wide, hosting
many major social, political and sporting events including the Super Bowl, BCS Championship, and
national political conventions, and a variety of music and cultural festivals. The City boast of a multibillion-dollar tourist and convention industry.
Among other things, New Orleans is famous for its French Quarter, with its mixture of French,
Spanish, and native architectural styles. Mardi Gras, several weeks of carnival held in New Orleans
before the beginning of Lent, is the most spectacular festival in the U.S. and is a popular tourist
attraction. Giving birth to jazz, the City’s musical tradition remains strong with events such as the
New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, the French Quarter Festival, Satchmo Summer Fest and
Essence Music Festival. New Orleans proved resilient during the Great Recession of 2008 and
steadfast as it rebuilds post-Katrina. As of August 2013, FEMA has obligated $10.3 billion for debris
removal and infrastructure repairs for the New Orleans metro, with $6.9 billion paid to localities and
$3.4 billion still forthcoming.
THE PRO BONO PROJECT
In an attempt to meet the ever-increasing need for legal services by the neediest members of our
community, The Louisiana Bar Foundation created the New Orleans Pro Bono Project in the fall of
1986. The Foundation's sponsorship of an organized pro bono program tapped a previously
underutilized resource: the local private bar. The private bar's enthusiastic response transformed the
Foundation's Pro Bono Project from a mere concept to a viable full-service resource for the
community.
Approximately five years after its founding, The Project's Advisory Board of Directors felt that The Pro
Bono Project had matured sufficiently to stand as an independent entity. The New Orleans Pro Bono
Project applied for and was granted independent status as a non-profit, tax-exempt legal entity with
501(c) (3) standing retroactive to the filing date of August 7, 1991.
With The Project’s expansion into the Northshore by adding St. Tammany and Washington Parishes
to its service areas, The Project’s Board of Directors unanimously voted to officially change the
corporate name of the New Orleans Pro Bono Project to The Pro Bono Project.
The Project is funded with assistance from Southeast Louisiana Legal Services, the Louisiana Bar
Foundation's IOLTA grant, Title III funds, HUD, filing fees from the judicial districts it serves, and
other corporate, foundation, and individual donations.
Mission
The Pro Bono Project’s mission is to provide free, quality civil legal services to the underserved by
engaging volunteer lawyers to render pro bono services.
Services
The Pro Bono Project exists to ensure that underserved citizens of six Louisiana parishes in the New
Orleans metro area can find lawyers willing to donate time and civil legal experience to help them
resolve civil legal matters.
The Pro Bono Project helps low-income families, individuals, and the elderly in need gain access to
lawyers who can help them resolve civil legal issues. These issues range from family law matters like
divorces, custody agreements, name changes, and adoptions; to property questions related to
successions and estate planning, proof of title, contractor litigation, and consumer complaints; to
debt issues, and much more.
The Pro Bono Project’s clients are in need of civil legal representation but can’t afford it. Responding
to those in need, lawyers in the six-parish service area, who consider it their professional
responsibility to serve their communities, have created a way to identify, screen and serve pro
bono clients through the work of the Pro Bono Project.
Since its founding in 1986, The Pro Bono Project has opened doors for many Louisianans in need of
legal representation. In 2015 alone the Project handled 1500 legal cases in addition to operating
numerous clinics and training sessions, and providing advice and referrals to thousands of others.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR POSITION
The Pro Bono Project (The Project) seeks a collaborative leader with solid organizational management
experience, an understanding of legal services, and a passion for serving vulnerable populations to
serve as its Executive Director. The Executive Director is The Project’s chief executive officer, and
reports to the Board of Directors. The Executive Director is responsible for ensuring that the
organization has a long-range strategic plan to realize its vision of being a national leader in providing
premier pro-bono services and achieve its mission. The Executive Director oversees the total
operation of the organization, including, but not limited to, helping to set and maintain the
organization’s strategic plan and vision; overseeing targeted programmatic activities and goals to
advance the Project’s mission; fundraising and development; managing organizational financial
sustainability, growth, and development; and fostering community engagement. The executive
director will lead a staff of 7 and manage and grow 2016-17 operating budget of $700,000.
The Project has enjoyed positive working relationships with its board members, law firm partners,
business and community stakeholders and local bar associations. The Project is seeking an influential
and inspirational leader who will continue to maintain and enhance existing relationships while
creating new partnerships to enhance legal service offerings that meet community legal service needs
and increase volunteer opportunities for lawyers.
The Executive Director’s priorities include:
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In conjunction with the Board, review, update, and implement The Project’s strategic plan;
develop performance measurements to guide organizational, operational, programmatic,
and financial decision-making to ensure that The Project meets the needs of the community
while growing as an organization and enhancing its positive influence.
Work to reinvigorate an approach to pro bono legal services in the community and reenergize
the enthusiasm of lawyers, law firms, and supporters while enhancing The Project’s overall
visibility, brand equity, and relationships with community partners and other organizations.
Develop a fundraising plan to secure more grant funding, diversify funding sources, and build
reserves so that The Project can continue to pursue its core mission aggressively.
Assess the operational infrastructure and create a best-in-class legal services business model.
Specific Responsibilities Include:
Organizational and Operational Management:
 Work with Board of Directors to define the strategic goals and direction. Direct staff to carry
out and implement operational plan and priorities.
 Ensure that The Project’s programs and operational procedures are reflective of solid
organizational management best practices and that the organization is a model for providing
high-quality pro bono legal services and maintaining an engaged volunteer base.
 Ensure activities are consistent with The Project’s mission.
 Work with the Executive Committee to prepare a comprehensive budget and a financial and
funding-development plan for the organization to ensure financial sustainability. Administer
the funds of the organization according to the approved budget and monitor the monthly
cash flow of the organization.
 Oversee all of The Project’s fundraising activities; participate and direct staff in securing
grants and donations from funding sources including government, foundations, corporations,
special events, and individuals, while actively cultivating and diversifying The Project’s donor
base.
 Identify and continually manage expectations of key stakeholders including Project funders
and contractual partners.
 Ensure the organization maintains records related to client services, activities and all
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data necessary for governmental agency and grant reporting and for internal analysis.
Ensure compliance with all legal, reporting, and contractual requirements including
completing all existing grants and contracts of The Project in a professional and timely manner.
Provide monthly and as-needed operational and financial reports to the Board of Directors;
maintain open and effective internal channels of communications; work with consultants to
develop external communication strategies and plans to keep the funding partners, law firm
partners, volunteers, the community, and other key stakeholders informed of The Project’s
successes, challenges and opportunities.
Recruit and develop staffing necessary to carry out the organization’s vision, programs and
objectives; provide guidance and direction to the Executive Committee and staff to ensure
that progress is being achieved, objectives are being met, and the community, volunteers and
funding partners are being served effectively.
Promote a working environment that fosters teamwork and cross-training.
Legal Management:
 Establish collaborative relationships and synergies with other legal services partners, local
advocacy and consumer groups, civil rights advocacy organizations, law firms, private
corporations, and other nonprofit and community-based entities.
 Liaison with bar associations and other related community groups both locally, regionally and
nationally.
 Oversee recruitment, training and nurturing of all volunteers.
 Develop professional resources, including CLE programs for volunteer attorneys.
Community & External Leadership:
 Maintain The Project’s strong presence as a premiere pro bono legal services organization
serving greater New Orleans and a national model for a vibrant organized pro bono service
program.
 Remain up-to-date on key economic, social and political trends impacting the quality of life
within The Project’s primary service area and the state of Louisiana.
 Serve as the face of the organization as a recognized thought leader, advocate and influencer
as it relates to providing high-quality legal services for the poor throughout the state of
Louisiana.
 Serve as The Project’s primary spokesperson to all stakeholders including government,
foundations, non-profits, business, media, academia and community groups and the general
public; speaks on behalf of the organization publicly, understanding the importance of
upholding the image and mission of The Project.
THE CANDIDATE
The successful candidate will bring a variety of skills and expertise to The Project including:
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While a lawyer is preferred, applications of qualified candidates who possess a minimum of 8
years of progressively responsible experience as a senior executive of a nonprofit or
community organization of comparable size and complexity will also be considered;
A mission driven leader who possesses a management style sufficient to gain the trust and
confidence of all stakeholders. The candidate must be comfortable interacting and maintain
a highly visible role with all levels;
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Skilled fundraiser with a track record of generating operating revenue, including success with
individual donors, foundations, corporations and government agencies;
Experience in program development and volunteer management;
A proven track record of effective financial resource-management, including profit and loss
management;
Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to present
information clearly, concisely and effectively;
Strong strategic planning and operational implementation experience;
Experience managing and expanding organizations and programs with the ability to launch
initiatives with multiple partners; results-oriented;
Strong analytical and problem solving skills;
Metrics-driven approach to organizational management;
Clear understanding of and the ability to adapt quickly to New Orleans’s cultural and
political landscape;
Experience in managing, nurturing, developing a Board and/or advisory groups; and
Knowledge of poverty law and related legal systems and procedures is preferred.
Personal and Professional Qualities:
 Strong management skills;
 Congenial; relationship-driven, personable;
 Demonstrates integrity and accountability;
 Collaborative;
 Innovative and visionary; big picture thinker;
 Decisive, ambitious and focused;
 Articulate, effective and inspiring communicator;
 Unquestionable integrity and ethics;
 Creative, flexible and inclusive;
 Entrepreneurial spirit; high-energy, self-starter;
 Humble and passionate.
COMPENSATION
An excellent benefits package and salary commensurate with qualifications and experience will be
provided.
HOW TO APPLY
To apply for this outstanding opportunity, please submit your resume and letter of interest by
February 19, 2016 electronically to: ed.pbp@thehawkinscompany.com.
Mailing Address:
The Hawkins Company
8939 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Suite 110-216
Los Angeles, California 90045
For additional information please contact:
Ms. Brett Byers at 323-403-8279, brett@thehawkinscompany.com or
William D. Hawkins at 213-308-0945, bill@thehawkinscompany.com
The Pro Bono Project is an Equal Opportunity Employer.