Deputy Project Director

Legal Services NYC (LSNYC) fights poverty and seeks racial, social and economic justice for low-income New Yorkers. For over 50 years, we have challenged systemic injustices that trap people in poverty and provided legal services that help our clients meet basic needs for housing, income and economic security, family and immigration stability, education, and health care. LSNYC is the largest civil legal services provider in the country; our staff of more than 600 people in neighborhood-based offices and outreach sites across all five boroughs helps hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers annually. We partner with scores of community-based and client-run organizations, elected officials, public agencies, pro bono lawyers, and the courts to maximize our effectiveness. Our work fights discrimination and helps to achieve equity for all low-income New Yorkers.

LSNYC employees have numerous opportunities for growth and professional development, including access to our internal Justice Learning Center, which provides opportunities to earn free CLEs and gain experience as a trainer. Further, LSNYC prides itself on its Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) efforts and aims to create a work environment where everyone can bring their full selves to the work.

BROOKYLN LEGAL SERVICES 

SEEKS A DEPUTY PROJECT DIRECTOR

Brooklyn Legal Services (BLS) seeks a Deputy Project Director to join the dynamic leadership team of a community-based legal advocacy organization with over 160 advocates, a $32 million annual budget, three neighborhood offices and two satellite locations.  The Deputy Project Director is a key member of the program’s management team and will work closely with the Project Director in all aspects of the leadership and management of the program. This is an exciting opportunity for a skilled and motivated leader.  The Deputy Project Director will report to the BLS Project Director. The position is available immediately.

Our Organization 

Brooklyn Legal Services is part of Legal Services NYC (LSNYC) and provides high-quality, innovative representation to address the pressing legal needs of Brooklyn’s diverse low-income population. LSNYC’s mission is to fight poverty and seek racial, social, and economic justice for low-income New Yorkers. LSNYC is the largest civil legal services provider in the country. Our staff of over 600 people in neighborhood-based offices and outreach sites across all five boroughs helps more than 110,000 New Yorkers annually. BLS focuses on the problems that have the greatest impact on our clients — preserving affordable and decent housing, maintaining income support, redressing abusive lending and consumer practices, promoting family stability and mitigating the effects of domestic violence, and advocating for vulnerable populations including low income immigrants, older adults and people with disabilities.

BLS prides itself on its Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) efforts. As a social justice organization, we are committed to fighting for a workplace that is as diverse, equitable, and inclusive as possible for everyone. Our DEIB committee and numerous affinity groups work to foster collegial relationships among staff and allow staff to explore and advocate for racial justice and anti-oppression growth within our organization and through our legal work. All employees are expected to learn about, seek to understand, and work to realize our DEIB goals. Every supervisor is expected to actively engage in learning and become increasingly skilled in supervision that supports diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. The Deputy Project Director’s duties will include actively working to advance LSNYC’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging goals.

LSNYC provides numerous opportunities for growth and professional development, including funding for continuing education (CLE) hours. Our Learning Center provides opportunities to earn free CLE credits and gain experience as a trainer. In recent years we engaged The Management Center and Management Information Exchange to teach management skills to our directors and supervisors, and we encourage and support supervisors and directors to attend local and national trainings to build supervision and management skills.

The Opportunity

In collaboration with the Project Director, the Deputy Project Director will work to advance the organization's mission to combat poverty and pursue racial, social, and economic justice by providing high-quality, high-impact legal services with a community-lawyering perspective. The Deputy Project Director will work closely with the Project Director and other senior leadership on daily operations and managing the organization. The Deputy Project Director will be actively involved in various aspects of the organization, including strategic planning; operations support, personnel management; development and outreach, grant and contract oversight, fundraising and special initiatives. The Deputy Project Director will work closely with the Project Director and other senior leadership on daily operations and managing the organization. 

In collaboration with the Project Director and other senior management, the Deputy Project Director's responsibilities will include:

• Developing and implementing strategies and policies that align with the organization's mission and objectives;
• Developing and enhancing systems and procedures to improve program operations and support client-centered advocacy and service delivery;
• Coordinating and developing government and funder relations, including NYC and state elected officials, as well as foundations and donors;
• Participating in community outreach and promoting awareness of the organization's work and its impact on the community.
• Facilitating partnerships with other CBOs including developing and reviewing subcontracts, linkage agreements and MOUs
• Ensuring adherence to legal and regulatory requirements. Compliance and contract management for some federal, state, and city contracts;
• Providing support for grant applications to sustain and expand advocacy;
• Providing human resources support including personnel, hiring, recruitment, and union matters;
• Reviewing contracts and providing support with regard to vendor relations and facilities management;
• Developing and implementing new initiatives;
• Project management

Experience and Qualifications

The Deputy Project Director will work closely with the Project Director in developing specific initiatives, handling daily duties and managing various aspects of the organization. The ideal candidate has a familiarity with compliance, operations and contract and grant management.  The ideal candidate should be a team player, self-starter, able to analyze and implement systems and possess excellent communication skills. 

In addition to the above, we seek an attorney admitted to the New York State Bar with:

• A minimum of eight years’ post-graduate experience, including prior supervisory experience;
• Experience with non-profit or law practice management strongly preferred;
• A demonstrated passion for social justice and extensive experience working with low-income communities and communities of color to advance equity;
• Familiarity with Brooklyn communities and the communities BLS serves;
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging including a belief in and ability to foster a diverse workplace;
• Project management experience required;
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work under tight deadlines; 
• Excellent interpersonal skills; a collaborative, inclusive, and respectful style of leadership with an ability to build consensus;
• Advocacy experience in areas relevant to BLS substantive practice areas, including tenant and homeowner rights, family law, immigration, public benefits, LGBTQ+/HIV+ advocacy, education, disability and/or race, gender, civil rights and economic justice. 
• Experience with grant and contract management preferred; 
• Experience with fundraising and development preferred. 

How to Apply

Applicants should submit send a cover letter, resume, and two writing samples.

All employees are strongly encouraged to continue to receive and maintain up-to-date COVID vaccinations unless they are unable to for medical or religious reasons.

Legal Services NYC is an equal opportunity employer. People of color, women, people with disabilities, people over 40, and gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people are strongly encouraged to apply.