Executive Director

The Executive Director (ED) supports the vision and mission of the Gibson-Banks Center for Race and the Law (the Center). Reporting to the Faculty Director (FD) and working with the Advisory Board (Board), the ED will lead and manage the day-to-day operations of the Center’s work to collaboratively re-imagine and transform institutions and systems of racial and intersection inequality, marginalization, and oppression. Responsibilities include contributing to the overarching aim to improve the lives of individuals, families, and communities impacted by historical and modern-day racial and intersectional oppression.

Working with the FD, the ED will have operational responsibility for the Center’s programs and execution of its mission.

The ED will be responsible for executing the vision and strategic direction of the Center, working with the FD to implement the strategic plan, manage the financial resources and operational capacity of the organization, and oversee the organization’s fiscal management, including fundraising activities.

The ED will have a vital role in the Center’s work, including active participation in the Center’s research, public education, advocacy, litigation, events, and programming. The work will include producing research reports; producing the Center’s yearly report; drafting amicus briefs; participating in advocacy campaigns; coordinating and attending conferences, convenings, and community conversations; and developing and deepening partnerships with communities, organizations and other stakeholders throughout Baltimore, the State of Maryland, and the United States that are aligned with the Center’s mission. The ED will also be responsible for overseeing the Center’s internal and external communications, as well as supervising law student fellows, and community fellows, and working with partner organizations, community members, community groups, and consultants.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Leadership & Management:

Provide vision and overall leadership for the Center, in collaboration with the FD and Board.

Work with the FD and Board to develop and implement strategies in support of the organization’s vision, mission, goals, and values.

Work with the FD and Board to create short- and long-term strategic plans for the Center consistent with its vision, mission, goals, and values.

Help to establish the Center as a nationally recognized resource. 

External Engagement:

Establish and coordinate an effective marketing/communication plan with the FD and UMB leadership that promotes the Center.

Build relationships and engage regularly with local, regional, national, and other community stakeholders.

Co-lead, with the FD, the development of strategic partnerships with government, private and nonprofit entities to further the objectives of the organization’s mission and goals.

Connect and collaborate with Baltimore-area legal and public policy organizations.

Maintain a social media presence and oversee updates to the Center’s website.

Community Leadership/Public Relations:

Establish and strengthen relationships with members of state and federal government offices, agencies, and legislative bodies, and serve as an expert resource in connection with their policy-making and legislative activities.

Ensure the Center remains current on all relevant policy and legal issues.

Work with the FD, other staff, and the Board to assess current services and programs, set annual service delivery and community impact goals, and develop ideas for changes or innovative programs of the Center.

Operations and Financial Oversight:

Work in collaboration with the development team, the FD, and the Board to cultivate relationships and solicit major gifts, sponsorships and grants from individuals, corporations, and foundations, and to build and expand the donor base.

Ensure that the annual budget is funded through appropriate sources and that the fundraising strategy is adjusted as necessary to meet financial goals.

Provide leadership for the organization’s financial strategy including evaluating and revising annual budgets and multi-year strategic plans.

Ensure compliance with funding requirements of agencies, professional organizations and other outside organizations that provide resources.

Recruit, select, develop, and retain team members and oversee the selection of other staff as needed.

Authorize and approve expenditures in accordance with established policies and procedures.

Advisory Board Relationship:

In consultation with the FD and UMB leadership, recruit, train, and retain an Advisory Board comprised of community stakeholders who are effective in engaging and promoting the mission and strategic goals of the Center.

Consult with the Board and other community stakeholders in prioritizing focus areas of the Center on an ongoing basis.

Engage Board members in identifying fundraising prospects and train them in their role in developing the organization’s financial base.

Keep Board members informed of the overall operations of the Center including programs, financial status, human resource issues, significant policy issues, external communications, and development.

Provide information and recommendations to the Board for setting or revising the organization’s vision, mission, goals, objectives, operating policies, and strategic planning priorities.

Coordinate and manage regularly scheduled Board meetings.

Perform other duties as assigned.