THE OPPORTUNITY
- Do you have a passion for criminal legal reform?
- Do you want to leverage your leadership skills in a highly respected, nationally recognized and vibrant organization?
- Do you embrace being the face of an organization with community leaders, policymakers, judges, and the legal community?
- Do you have the desire and capacity to drive change on a regional and national level?
CLIENT SUMMARY
Mission: OJPC doesn’t write anyone off and they believe in second chances. Their mission is to create fair, intelligent, redemptive criminal justice systems through zealous client-centered advocacy, innovative policy reform, and cross-sector community education.
What they do: OJPC is a nonprofit law firm with offices in Cincinnati and Columbus, Ohio. Founded in 1997, OJPC offers a spectrum of free legal services, programs, and resources to help people navigate the complexities of our criminal legal system. OJPC works to substantially reduce the size and racial disparity of Ohio’s prison population, as well as to protect the rights and dignity of incarcerated people. They also serve people in the community by removing criminal records-based barriers to employment, housing, education, and full community integration.
In addition to offering direct, pro-bono legal services for impacted individuals OJPC advocates at the state and local levels for public policy that creates safe and just communities. They provide education about criminal-legal issues through statewide presentations, a clinical legal program for law students, an annual internship program, community resource materials, and written legal and policy guides. OJPC currently has 19 employees and an annual budget of approximately $2 million. Funding is provided from foundations, corporate and individual contributions, and government grants. The President & CEO reports to a 15-person Board and leads a management team of four Directors.
JOB SUMMARY
OJPC is seeking a President & CEO who is a strategic thought leader and will advance the mission of OJPC. The President & CEO will bring insight and direction while providing a dynamic approach to leadership and management, fundraising/development, and community engagement. The President & CEO will have responsibility for developing and executing strategic and operational plans for staff development, programs, expansion, and execution of its mission. They will be adaptive in a rapidly changing environment.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Leadership & Management
- Provide direction and support to the management team and staff
- Identify organizational goals and priorities and create a culture of accountability
- Leverage your business acumen to run an efficient and financially healthy operation
- Create individual career growth and advancement plans for all personnel
Fundraising & Development
- Work with outside consultants to complete a fundraising campaign that will kick off soon (feasibility study is being completed now), which may result in new development plans
- Partner with the development team to identify new funding sources
- Leverage your network to secure major donors
- Identify and develop new revenue sources
Community Engagement
- As a subject matter expert, make presentations at conferences and be a media spokesperson representing the organization
- Develop relationships with key policy makers at the local, state, and federal levels to advance advocacy efforts
- Collaborate and partner with other community organizations, higher education institutions and volunteers to maximize OJPC’s impact
Vision & Strategy
- Provide visionary leadership to guide the organization’s growth and strategic priorities
- Collaborate with the Board and staff to update and operationalize OJPC’s strategic plan
Board Engagement
- Leverage the talents and passions of the Board to further OJPC’s mission
- Partner with the Board to recruit new Board members over time to represent stakeholder interests and provide diversity of expertise and life experience
- Provide the opportunity for the management team to engage with the Board on key strategic issues and decision
Litigation
- If the President & CEO is a licensed attorney, provide training/mentorship to the attorneys and represent clients in selected cases
IDEAL CANDIDATE QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
- Strong alignment with the OJPC’s mission
- Deep understanding of criminal legal system issues
- Dynamic leader with a record of success leading and growing an organization
- Commitment to recruiting, developing, and retaining talent
- High level of respect from community leaders and the legal community
- Licensed as an attorney preferred by not required
- Successful track record in fundraising, including grants and individual donors
- Experience advocating for policy change
- Demonstrated commitment to sustaining diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging as a top priority
- Strong business acumen with budget management experience
- Experience reporting to a Board or serving on Boards in the nonprofit sector
- Ability to connect strategic planning to measurable outcomes
- Exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal
KEY PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES
- Accessible to staff
- Energetic/ fast paced
- Nonpartisan
- Storyteller
- Thought leader
- Collaborative
- Collegial
- Visionary
- Creative problem solver
- Multi-tasker
- Driven for success
- Resilient
THE PAYOFF
- Make an impact on the lives of OJPC clients everyday while also driving systemic change
- Inspire and lead a passionate and talented staff
- Collaborate with an experienced and committed Board
- Take a nationally regarded organization with a 25-year track record to its next level of growth and impact
DIVERSITY/INCLUSION STATEMENT
Gilman Partners is committed to strengthening leadership teams and elevating the talent in our communities – and that means all qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, ability, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, or national origin. You don’t have to meet every qualification in this job description to apply. If you’re drawn to the position and believe your experience makes you a good fit, we encourage you to reach out.
